Earlier this month, we offered some of the most romantic things to do in Austin. And there are sooo many options, our family at Le Montreaux apartments to rent in Austin decided to share a few more to ensure you and yours enjoy the month of February to your heart’s content!

Experience a Bird’s Eye View for TWO! 

This is one big hint for impressing your date any time or day of the year.  Thanks to the professional pilots at Austin’s helicopter tours, you can see Austin from a  bird’s eye view.  Make this a must-do – for two!  The sights of the city are every reason to save up to spoil the one(s) you love.  Viator travel offers several options and is ready to take you and your Valentine on a trip of a lifetime! 

Say “I DO” at Sunset 

Over the years, we have written about Austin’s classic spots to see some of the most spectacular sights.  For those who are looking for THE spot to pop the question, let us re-recommend some top spots to see the sun set in Austin: 

Mount Bonnell 
The Oasis on Lake Travis 
Lady Bird Lake 
Covert Park 
360 Bridge 

Get Your Motor (and your heart) Running

Here are several ways to get your heart racing while taking in the sandy and sunny sights through off-road riding adventures in Austin. To get your motor running, sign up and get ready to ride along with one of their certified tour guides through miles of trails, rocky hills, compact dirt roads, and more! Be sure to bring your camera to capture all the Instagramable pics along the way.

Giddy-up!

If horsin’ around seems like something your loved one would love, there are more than enough opportunities to surprise your valentine with an exclusive ‘couples’ horseback riding adventure. We highly recommend you schedule your ride just before the sunsets to paint a perfect picture for a date night out.  For the best of the best in the business, Trip Advisor has some good options for horseback riding tours in Austin to check out.

Seek out the Stars

For a much quieter pace for passionate times together, gather a blanket and your best friend and head out of town to stargaze into the night.  Fuel the fun and romance by packing a dinner-style picnic, complete with candlelight, chocolate and of course, a bottle of bubbly to toast into the night.

Just Say Spahhh

Austin’s Fairmont Spa 
Milk + honey 
Omni Barton Creek

Hiatus Spa + Retreat

The post Romantic Things to Do in Austin (Part Two) appeared first on Le Montreaux A Concierge Community Blog.

After the rush of the holidays, our bodies crave a little downtime to relax, refresh and reset for a new year and a new YOU!  Fortunately for all who live in and around our apartment community in Austin, Texas, a fine selection of top spas in Austin offers the perfect escape.  
Whether your life overflows with family commitments or perhaps too many hours at work, we encourage you to find some ‘me’ time at some of our favorite spas noted below.
Austin’s Fairmont Spa
In the heart of downtown, the Fairmont has an escape that one would not expect throughout our bustling city.  High above the rest of the world is a haven of luxury that awaits you and yours. Throughout the seasons, the expansive windows of the solarium set the scene for a true getaway that you have earned and deserve.  
There are nine treatment rooms where you can set aside everything but time for yourself.  With its award-winning service and spa options, you may want to cross off everything on your calendar for a full day of world-class treatments.   
If you can’t get away during the day, the Fairmont’s “Spa After Dark” offers “Twilight Treatments” … ideal for a romantic ‘date night’ or special celebration.
Milk + Honey
Since 2006, founder Alissa Bayer has passionately pursued her quest to offer only the finest healing and relaxation treatments that are a true treat to be found. Our favorite is her “HydraFacials” which must be experienced to appreciate. All of their massage treatments include a professional massage therapist, heated massage tables, your choice of aromatherapy oil or body butter, therapeutic compresses, warm neck rolls and steamed hot towels.
Viva Day Spa
With four options to help you ease into the new year, Viva Day Spas have been voted “Best Spa in Austin” by the Austin Chronicle and Austin Monthly and “Best Massage” by the Austin American Statesman.  And all with good reason. Whether you choose to indulge in their rejuvenating facials and HydraFacials, book one of their Signature, Deep Tissue or Swedish Massage, or choose to spoil a friend and book a Couples Massage, you are in for a complete treat!
 
 

The post New Year, New You – Top Spas in Austin, Part One appeared first on Le Montreaux A Concierge Community Blog.

Within an article on BestBabyBoomerTowns.com, the author noted many of the reasons why we love it here, and why boomer from all over the USA are now calling Austin “home sweet home.”

“Ask people what they love most about living in the Austin area, and you’ll find as many answers as stars in the big Texas sky. For some, it’s the Hill Country, with its gentle rolling slopes and beautiful vistas. For others, it’s the lakes, the creeks, and the swimming holes that offer an escape from the work-a-day world. 

Others claim that the real reason to live here is the culture, the arts, the laid-back attitude. Whether you are an Austin native or a recent transplant, Austin is a city of worldly culture where people feel welcome.

Education has always been a central concern in Austin, probably because the city’s such an educated town.”

Here's more insight about why our community in Austin, TX, is seeing such growth of the Boomer market.   US News and World Report placed our thriving city in the #4 top spot of places to retire in Texas.  Within their article it noted:

“Austin's hot job market and unique, quirky culture draw many people to the area, including retirees. The city attracted over 16,439 new residents between July 2018 and 2019, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. This state capital city is the home of the University of Texas—Austin, where seniors age 65 and older can take up to six tuition-free credit hours per semester. 

The area is also a hub for tech jobs, including Apple, Dell and IBM. Major health care providers include St. David's Medical Center and Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin. Housing in Austin costs more than in many other parts of Texas, but retirees relocating from more expensive cities with similar amenities may be able to reduce their housing costs.”

As we all continue to “grow-up” in our apartments that we rent in Austin, TX, let us all remember to get out and enjoy everything that our bourgeoning city has to offer all summer long!
 

The post Austin Tapped as #3 Spot in the Nation for Baby Boomers to Retire appeared first on Le Montreaux A Concierge Community Blog.

Coronavirus has made major changes to how we live our daily lives.

While before, most of us left every day to go to work, school or social gatherings, now, we're spending all that time at home. This means more use for everything in your home, which can translate to larger bills.

Lights are on in rooms more often. There's more need to regulate the temperature of your home. You're also probably running the dishwasher and doing more loads of laundry than ever before.
These activities all ramp up your utility use which can lead to higher water and electricity bills. To avoid spending more at a time where you potentially have less coming in, here are some handy tips for keeping utility bills at bay.
 

Ways to cut back on your utility bills

In 2018, the U.S. used 3.95 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity according to Statista. This is a huge number when you consider that the average refrigerator only uses 161 kilowatt-hours per month. Saving on utility bills in your home means making small changes to limit electricity and water use.
 

1. Swap light bulbs

When in doubt about how to save on utility bills, inspect your light bulbs. If you're not using compact fluorescents (CFLs), it's time to make the switch. These energy-efficient bulbs use significantly less electricity and can save you close to $50 per year on your electric bill. They also last longer, so you're buying less bulbs and saving some money there, as well.

Don't forget to make these bulbs work even harder to save you money by switching off the lights whenever you leave a room.

2. Avoid peak hours

Using large appliances like your dishwasher or dryer during the hottest time of the day means your home is working harder. The extra heat taxes your air conditioning, already trying to cool down your home. To give your AC a break, and save a little on your electric bill, try running these types of appliances early in the morning or after the sun goes down at night.

3. Unplug electronics when not in use

Energy vampires are those appliances that steal a lot of electricity even when they're not in use. Avoid these power suckers by unplugging appliances when you're done with them. The top offenders include:

• Cell phone chargers
• TVs
• Microwaves
• Coffeemakers
• Printers
• Video game consoles

4. Adjust your thermostat

Keeping your thermostat running efficiently helps save electricity. “The closer the temperature is on the thermostat to the temperature outside, the less your air conditioner has to work and the lower your energy bill will be," says Jeffrey Orloff from The Spruce. On average, this means 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the warmer months, and 68 in the winter.

5. Clean and close vents

Keeping your air vents dust-free helps them run more efficiently, saving you money. Twice a month, use a duster to wipe away any buildup. You should also make sure there isn't anything blocking them.

Additionally, you can close vents in rooms you don't frequent, like a guest room, in order to direct airflow to where it needs to be most. Sending air conditioning into an empty room just wastes electricity.

6. Load up your dishwasher

Treat your dishwasher like a game of Tetris. How much can you fit before it's actually full? Doing this means fewer loads, which translates to less water.

7. Do big loads of laundry

The same rule applied to dishwashers works for your washing machine. Waiting until you have a full load of laundry to wash clothes saves water. If you wash everything in cold, it's OK to combine lights and darks, making it easier to fill the machine before you run out of clothing.

This also helps save electricity since you'll run your dryer less, as well. Just remember to leave a little bit of space for the clothes to slosh around and actually get clean.

This is also a good idea if you need to go to a public laundry facility right now, because fewer loads of laundry mean less time spent in common areas.
 

8. Take shorter showers

Cutting four minutes off your shower each time adds up. It can save almost 4,000 gallons of water per year, which is close to $100. It also helps decrease other utility bills since you're using less energy to heat up all that water.

9. Check for leaks

Small plumbing issues may not feel like an extra expense, but you're paying for every drop of water. If you notice a leaky faucet, now is the time to address it. It's also a good idea to inspect your pipes and make sure there aren't any hidden leaks. You'll also avoid water damage.

Average utility bill costs

While it's possible to estimate what your utility bills will cost in a regular month, it's hard to know how much your usage has increased while at home as a result of the coronavirus. It's best to assume your utility bills will go up.

“If you save your bill stubs, you can get an idea how much you spend in a typical month," says Mint. From there, estimate your average spending and then work a little more into your monthly budget to avoid sticker shock when your first coronavirus utility bill comes.

How much more you need will depend on a few factors like how energy efficient your home is and whether or not you're taking steps to conserve energy whenever possible.

Keep those utility bills low during coronavirus isolation

While it's impossible to say you can maintain your average utility bills when you're spending more time at home, you can keep the increase to a minimum. Taking small steps, doing small things to cut back on your electricity and water consumption can help keep these pricey bills within your budget, even in this uncertain time.

Lesly Gregory
April 22, 2020

The post How to Save on Utility Bills During Coronavirus appeared first on Le Montreaux A Concierge Community Blog.

Looking for something creative to do this Feb 14^th? These festive Austin V-Day events are fun whether you’re with your loved one or your best friends!

Desert Door Texas Sotol Cocktail Workshop

At $25 per person, this workshop is an affordable and fun way to have a few drinks and learn something new with your partner. You’ll learn how to make a Paloma, Old Fashioned, an Infused Margarita, and a Daquiri, and how to make your own simple syrup infusions. Yum! Buy tickets and learn more here: https://do512.com/events/2019/2/14/valentine-texas-cocktail-workshop

Valentine’s Day Themed Sip & Paint with Painting with a Twist

Paint with your loved one and sip two complimentary glasses of Pink Moscato at this fun V-Day event! Tickets: https://do512.com/events/2019/2/14/valentines-day-paint-night

Valentine’s Day Masquerade Pub Crawl

This pub crawl will be a night to remember with free masquerade masks, pub crawl hosts, and great drink deals around town. Get more info and tickets here! https://do512.com/events/2019/2/14/singles-night-pub-crawl

Axe Throwing with Your Valentine

The title says it all… Tix here! https://do512.com/events/2019/2/14/valentine-s-day-event

Valentine’s Day Salsa Dancing Night @ Moonfire Lounge

Dress to impress at this fun and festive event! Free salsa lesson from 8-9pm, before the event! Info here: https://do512.com/events/2019/2/14/latin-night-valentine-s-special

The post 5 Epic Valentine’s Day Events Around Austin Texas appeared first on Le Montreaux A Concierge Community Blog.

Check out Travel + Leisure’s guide to the best of the best in Austin, Texas! From their recommended restaurants to excellent shopping, we couldn’t agree more with their choices.

Here is what they have to say about the dining and shopping scenes in Austin, Texas:

“The best restaurants Austin can run the gamut, serving simple and excellent Tex-Mex and comfort food or new culinary creations from renowned chefs. Food trucks are widely popular, and the restaurant scene is equally as vibrant. Paul Qui of Top Chef fame has earned raves for his eponymous Qui, while Emmer & Rye has been making waves (and Top 10) lists across the nation for its farm-to-table dim sum. No trip to Texas is complete without a stop for barbecue, and while these discussions ignite serious debate, Franklin BBQ is widely considered some of the state’s best. If you’re picking places to eat in Austin, plan to sample a little of everything, especially city classics like breakfast tacos and migas, washed down with a michelada.”

“With a culture that nurtures artisans and start-ups, it’s no surprise that Texas’ capital has a funky shopping scene. Some of the best shopping in Austin can be found along South Congress Avenue, where you can nab clothing and accessories from Cove, vintage discoveries at Feathers, and the latest for men at STAG. If it’s a proper country boot you’re after, Allen’s Boots remains the iconic spot to find them.”

Check out these detailed guides to ensure you make your way to all the best local spots in Austin!