Churchill Expands Its Portfolio of Luxury Apartments With New DC Location

Churchill is proud to announce that the company has expanded its presence in the Washington DC area with new inventory at Twenty400, a luxury apartment community located in Arlington, VA. Recently opened in the winter of 2011, Twenty400 offers a distinctively different apartment experience for those who want to live in the heart of Arlington. The location is ideal with Interstate 395 right next door, residential and commuter bus routes stop at your door, and the Army/Navy Country Club just around the corner. Located in the midst of three longstanding communities in Arlington, Twenty400 also places residents just minutes away from the exciting shops, restaurants and amenities of Shirlington. This smoke-free community also offers an enormous array of amenities in a garden-style environment with beautiful finishes.

Living on the Cheap: Forbes Cheapest Places to Live

With more and more Americans watching their wallets in today’s unsettling economic environment, Forbes’ “America’s 100 Cheapest Places to Live” couldn’t have come at a better time. With a wide-range of locales making the list, an eclectic blend of growing cities, suburban landscapes, and rural-based towns, people looking to relocate are provided with a diverse list to choose from.

The positive aspect to lists like this one is that it gives us hope that there are still areas in the United States where the cost of living is not so overwhelming. However, a list like this can be misleading, especially as many areas in the United States are still dealing with economic struggle. While there are cities on this list that are safe bets to a cheaper way of living, some of these cities still do not have a large supply of jobs for those moving in. Also, rates of pay are far less than what some may be used to in areas, such as from the Washington, D.C. and New York metropolitan areas.

This brings up an important point when discussing living on the cheap. In the twenty-first century many Americans have become accustomed to living on higher salaries and therefore have become used to a higher cost of living. As Americans are losing their jobs and receiving cuts in pay and general everyday costs are still high, we have to tailor our spending to reflect these changes. So while the cost of living is undeniably too high in some areas of the United States, we cannot forget that wherever we go, the only way that American population can live “cheaply” is by moving onto another standard of living.

Read the complete list of Forbes’ America’s Cheapest Places to Live

Churchill has short-term corporate housing available Nationwide. Please contact us at 866-255-0593 or National@FurnishedHousing.com for more information.

The Truth Behind the Most Popular Corporate Housing Myths

In her April 2009 Mobility article, Corporate Housing Myths Debunked, Kimberly Smith discusses some of the most important aspects of the corporate housing market and debunks some of the most famous myths associated with the industry.

True or False – Corporate Housing Is Just an Extended Stay Hotel in Disguise

FALSE

Compared to Hotels, Corporate Housing Offers:

- Cheaper temporary housing
- Apartments and townhouses with more square footage
- A like-home feel in a residential environment
- Many more amenities, such as housekeeping and full-kitchens
- Safety provided by on-site 24-hour security

True or False – A Company Can Easily Do Corporate Housing for Less

FALSE

Companies who try to offer their own corporate housing most often end up handing over the corporate relocation to corporate providers who have it down to a science. Factoring in the set-up costs, delivery fees, and the money that goes into furnishing the apartment and keeping up the utilities, as well as the time involved in setting up corporate housing, most companies cannot afford to handle corporate housing themselves.

True or False – Corporate Housing Is For People Other Than Just the Business Traveler

TRUE

Although the corporate housing industry is known for catering to business executives and relocating professionals, corporate housing is also widely used by:
-Traveling nurses
-Military personnel
-Displaced homeowners
-Government officials
-Students attending college
-Families in between homes

True or False – Not All Corporate Housing Companies and Leasing Agents are the Same

TRUE

There are several different companies who provide temporary housing. They differ by several factors:
-Rates
-Location
-Services
-Accreditation
-Experience
-Protection
-Policies

Churchill Corporate Services is an industry leader with affordable rates and a wide-selection of temporary housing locations. Some of Churchill’s other services include furniture rental, disaster housing, and apartment management.

The Who set to perform Super Bowl XLIV halftime show

The NFL announced The Who as the halftime act for Super Bowl XLIV. The announcement was made during halftime of the Oakland Raiders-Dallas Cowboys game this Thanksgiving.  The impressive list of previous halftime acts include bands such as Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Prince, the Rolling Stones, and Paul McCartney.

Super Bowl XLIV will be played at Dolphin Stadium in South Florida on Sunday, February 7, 2010. Last year’s event drew more than 151 million viewers and was broadcasted to 230 countries.

Churchill has locations in the Miami-Dade County area and has short-term rental options available. Please contact us for more information.

Photo courtesy of The Who

The Best Playgrounds in Central Florida

The Orlando Sentinel highlights some of the best playgrounds in the Orlando and Central Florida areas. These playgrounds standout from the rest with equipment that is not found in your average playground/park. For example, Gilbert Park in Mount Dora features a maze-like castle and a mini rock-climbing wall while Central Winds Park in Winter Springs has a 20 feet tall structure with 3 different tiers of activities for kids.

Renovating or relocating? Churchill offers fully furnished, temporary housing with flexible terms. Click here to see availability in the Orlando area.

Gilbert Park. Photo courtesy of orlandosentinel.com.

Endless Options for Those Seeking Temporary Housing

As the temporary housing industry continues to grow, more options become available to those relocating or seeking corporate apartments. Mobility’s “Diverse Choices for Temporary Corporate Housing” thoroughly explores the temporary housing options that are available in several top markets, such as Atlanta, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Minnesota. The article also goes into detail about the differences between the temporary housing and the extended stay hotels. Check out the entire Mobility article.

Relocating or seeking temporary housing? Visit FurnishedHousing.com for all your corporate housing needs.

The Rental Market and Corporate Housing

For months, U.S. vacancy rates have been increasingly high across the board. In July 2009, apartment vacancy rates hit a 22-year high during what is usually the peak season for leasing. Although it was expected that those unable to afford homes would turn to renting, the overwhelming amount of job losses led to high vacancy rates. The positive aspect for  those in the market to rent is that rents are falling faster than they have in over a decade. The most drastic fall in rental rates has affected the markets of New York, San Jose, Las Vegas, and Orange County California. While some markets, where unemployment rates are not as high, have seen a small growth in renting rates, such as in suburban Maryland and in Washington, D.C.

So what does this rental environment mean for corporate housing? While the corporate housing industry cannot completely escape the weak economy, corporate housing occupancy has generally remained high because providers can remove and add units according to demand. Also, temporary housing is more appealing to consumers during times of economic distress. Unlike most average apartment rentals that require a year lease, most corporate housing providers only require a 30-night minimum, which is easier for customers to grasp financially. Also, many relocating employees are coming into the market with a far different idea of renting and leasing than your average renter. These renters/employees have corporate jobs and salaries that can pay the rent. Also, no matter what the economic environment, corporate housing remains a strong alternative to simple and unfriendly hotel rooms.

Read one of The Wall Street Journal’s full article’s on the rental market.

Corporate Apartments: The Best Choice for Business Travelers

“Is 2009 the year of the apartment?” asks a recent UpgradeTravelBetter.com blog post. The answer is simple: yes. With more and more corporate travelers cutting back on costs, corporate housing apartments are less expensive and more comfortable than hotels. Corporate apartments are “20-40% cheaper compared to hotels” and they offer “fully equipped kitchen with self-catering facilities, various bedroom choices, lounge and relaxation areas,” writes blogger Mark Ashley.

Compared to Extended-Stay Hotels Corporate Housing Offers:
 Cheaper temporary housing                                                    
 Apartments and townhomes with more square footage                            
 A like-home feel in a residential environment                                      
 Many more amenities, such as housekeeping and full-kitchens                             
 Safety with 24-hour security

Forbes also praises corporate housing over extended-stay hotels for business travelers. “Corporate housing…furnished homes or apartments with kitchens, living areas and often at least twice the square footage of a regular hotel room. Corporate housing is a $2.8 billion business in the U.S, spanning nearly 80,000 units, mainly clustered around larger cities,” writes the Smart Shelter author Miriam Marcus. Are you a corporate/business traveler looking for temporary, fully-furnished housing in one of the nation’s major cities? Check out Churchill’s listings in major cities Nationwide, including Washington, D.C., Boston, and Philadelphia.