Category: Personal Growth (3)
Sustainable living becomes an important part of our lifestyle. It’s sad to admit, but climate change is happening. It might not have a direct impact on you, but it creates irreversible changes in the whole ecosystem.

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You may be saying to yourself: “I hold my own when it comes to sustainability. I recycle all the time and I NEVER use straws!”. You are off to a good start, and this article will provide you with everyday eco-friendly tips. There is no shame in green responsibility!
Lifestyle

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Your everyday routine can be improved with small changes that do not throw off your whole way of living. Yet, these little changes add up over time and can have a huge impact!
1. Unplug, unplug, unplug.
When not using your devices, you should always try and unplug them. Laptop and phone chargers, TVs, printers, and all your electrical equipment take up energy when it is not in use, but still plugged in. Unplugging these overnight will help to reduce energy usage and your electricity bill.
2. Clear and Donate.
Go through your entire closet and clear out any clothes you have not worn in the past 6 months. You’re not going to wear them again. Donate to local thrift stores (Haight-Ashbury has tons of locations), charity or shelter.
3. Go Paperless.
Pay all your bills online and switch to online subscriptions of your favorite magazines and newspapers.
Bonus tip for Urbanests tenants: You can make your rent payments online.
4. Reduce Water.
We all know the terrible problem we have with droughts in California. Turning off the faucet while brushing, shorter showers, and always running washer on a full load will have an enormous impact on your water usage.
5. Reuse.
Many know how to recycle (pretty straightforward), but few are masters of reusing. Any glass containers from food can be washed and used for pantry storage. Buy reusable containers and water bottles instead of plastic bags and bottles. Bring your own bag to the grocery store instead of buying plastic one every time.
Apartment

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1. Lightbulbs.
Although this may not be the sexiest way to be green, it is one of the most effective. Make sure all lightbulbs in your apartment are LEDs. It is also cheaper long term, as LEDs do not use as much power.
2. Go Second-hand.
When shopping and looking for new furniture and apartment décor, there is no need to buy a whole new set. There are plenty of second-hand bargains that will not only help save the planet but can add some character to your apartment or room.
3. Be Creative.
Before you chuck your old decorations and furniture in the trash, stop and think of how you can repurpose it. Turn your worn-out old tapestry into shower curtains or use wooden blinds or old boards as a quirky coffee table.
4. Mind the Paint.
When painting anything in your apartment, whether it’s your wall (check-in with your property manager first), chair, or decoration, make sure to use low-VOC paint. This type of paint does not have a high level of toxins and is much better for the environment.
5. The Clean has to be Green.
You are always going to need cleaning products like hand soap, dish soap, air freshener, and laundry liquid, so you better make sure they are green. Water used for laundry goes straight into the ground, so make sure that your laundry detergent is phosphate-free. Brands like Method and Seventh Generation are all-natural, cruelty-free, and have recyclable packaging.
Food

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1. Personal Compost.
Use your old banana peels, eggshells, and coffee grounds to create your own mini-compost pile. This can be used to grow small plants in your apartment. Check out this living composter to speed up the process and avoid any smell.
2. Freeze-it.
To avoid any food waste, try freezing your goods, so it can help your food last up to 5 times longer.
3. Don’t Forget the Tote.
When grocery shopping, make sure to buy and bring in your reusable tote bag to load up groceries. Not only will you be cutting down on those terrible plastic bags, but you will save a few cents from the bag charge too!
4. Mini-Garden.
There are plenty of ways to start a mini garden in your apartment. Start with a plant or two that is easy to grow and that you find tasty and get started. This will also help to promote clean oxygen production and circulation.
5. Save the Glass.
Foods like salsa, jam, peanut butter, and others come in glass containers. As mentioned before, they come in handy later on, so clean them out and repurpose them when you get the chance.
As a conclusion to our list, we want to mention that coliving is an affordable and sustainable housing option. At Urbanests we provide beds and furnished rooms for rent with flexible leasing. We promote green habits throughout our entire community to reduce the carbon footprint. To learn more, visit our properties page or request information from our leasing team.
Well, what are the chances that Mercury won’t be in retrograde, your roommate is not sick, and your bed isn’t tempting you into sweet napping? If that all falls into place, you are super lucky. But we all know the truth.

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Changing your “work” environment can be essential if you need that creativity kick. Libraries are a great solution, but for how long can you survive without good food or a cup of coffee?
Luckily for us, San Francisco’s tech hub has got a bunch of interesting spots all around the city. And the main perk? It is all close to your rental at Urbanests coliving residences!
Spots close to 1010 Bush Residences
Joy’s Place at 611 Post St
This compact spot with great coffee and fast WIFI is a Lower Nob Hill gem. It is perfect for late-night studies as the cafe is open until 12 AM.
Milkbean at 881 Post St
Laptop friendly space with modern design and delicious sandwiches. It has quite a few power outlets and a speedy Internet connection. All you need for getting work done!
Another Cafe at 1191 Pine St
Two levels of exceptional space with a full menu and Bicycle coffee. You will definitely want to stay at this place as it has fast free WiFi and tons of outlets. If you want a more cozy vibe, try the second floor.
Spots close to Epik Residences
Peet’s Coffee at 601 Van Ness Ave
We are sure you have heard about Peet’s Coffee in San Francisco. This location has lots of space and natural light. But what makes this place special that it has direct access to a bookstore next door. Bring your laptop, grab a coffee, and enjoy the spirit of the city!
Quetzal at 1234 Polk St
Super clean and quiet place with tons of healthy food. Do we even need to mention that this hidden gem has fast WiFi and lots of power outlets? Quetzal will give you cozy and inspirational vibes to get your stuff done.
Spots close to Pyramid Residences, 524 Columbus Residences, and 371 Columbus Residences
Capital One 360 Café at 101 Post St
Big open space with natural light will get your productivity going. This place has not only Peet’s coffee and comfy furniture but corporate feel with lively energy. If moderate noise doesn’t scare you, this place definitely deserves your attention.
Workshop Cafe at 180 Montgomery St #100
Same Workshop Cafe we mentioned earlier, but in a different location. Use the app to book your seat ahead!
Plentea at 341 Kearny St
Any boba tea fans here? This spot might be famous for its drinks, but it is also laptop friendly. The second floor has everything you need for a few hours of productive studying: WiFi, power outlets, and cozy feeling.
Get things done while sipping on some boba!
Spots close to 1080 Folsom Residences, 7th Street Residences, 9th Street Residences
Coffee Cultures at 1301 Mission St
This cafe will give you superfast WiFi and some great drinks. The place itself is quite compact, but you will fall in love with its ambiance. Be ready to get distracted by their artwork as it is unique and inspirational. Unfortunately, this spot doesn’t have many power outlets, so do not forget to charge your laptop.
Sextant Coffee Roasters at 1415 Folsom St
The exposed brick wall will give you industrial vibes of the SoMa district of San Francisco. This cafe roasts the coffee beans themselves so the smell is unbelievable. You will have to fight for power outlets, so make sure to charge your laptop. It never gets too busy and filled with an impossible amount of natural light.
Covo 981 Mission
Covo is a perfect blend of the cafe and the working space. For $4 an hour, you get coworking space wrapped in a beautiful coffee shop with access to phone booths, plugs everywhere, printing, and blazingly fast internet. Before you pay, they offer a free day to test things out. If you feel like you want to commit to this space, it has monthly memberships with extended perks.