Facing The Real World In A High Rise

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

20 May 2007 03:20 PM

My cousin graduated from college a couple of weeks ago and will begin his first "real" job next month. That means he has about two weeks to get his new home in order. Last week we drove down to Chicago to help him move into his new... high-rise apartment. Yes, he is living in a high-rise building in the middle of the Windy City.

Better him than me.

I don't think I could survive in a high-rise. When I graduated from college I moved into a two-story apartment building and I lived on the ground floor. I hated the idea of having to lug groceries (and furniture) up a flight of stairs--or in my cousin's case have to wait five minutes for an elevator that may make seven stops before it reaches his floor. Living on the first floor suited me just fine. But I digress.

The intent of this blog is to illustrate that contrary to what some people may say about the dangers present in high-rise buildings there is proof that high-rise buildings are among the safest forms of housing available in big cities---especially for women. The key is to be selective in choosing the right high-rise and to take precautions.

Here are some tips we (various family members) gave my cousin before he settled into his new digs:

CHANGE THE LOCKS

It's a good idea (especially in an older building that has had multiple tenants) to request that your locks be changed prior to moving in. Get it in writing before you sign your lease. You never know how many people lived in or had access to your apartment before you decided to live there. For all you know the guy who lived there before you could have made a dozen copies of the key and handed them out to family and friends.

MAILBOX RULES

This rule is especially important for single women. When you move in to your high-rise make sure management does not list your full name on the resident directory posted in the lobby. If you post your first and last name it could possibly identify you as a single woman living alone. Instead, list your first initial and last name. Or do what one of my college friends did when she moved into her apartment--she used her first and middle initial then her last name. For example, if your name is Mary Gloria Smith, you should be listed as M & G Smith.

LOCK YOUR DOOR

As we were leaving my cousin's apartment last week my aunt left him with these parting words: "You aren't in college anymore Michael, keep your doors locked." It's good advice. My cousin used to live in a house just off campus with a bunch of his classmates and I don't think they locked their door once in the two years they lived there. Once you move into an apartment (high-rise or not) you should never leave your door unlocked -- even if you're just running down the hall to dump your trash or going downstairs to get your mail. It only takes a few seconds for an intruder to enter your apartment.

Look for more high-rise living safety tips in my next blog.

Related Articles:

Door Locks: Not As Effective As You Think

Driveway Dangers

Household Survival Tips--Fire

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Andrea Hermitt (5512) 20 May 2007 03:23 PM

I plan to move into a high rise when my youngest leaves for college... downsizing at its finest!

Michele Cheplic (37349) 23 May 2007 03:01 AM

I could see myself in a luxury high rise (in my dreams) overlooking the ocean, but the standard one that my cousin is in... I couldn't do it. Thanks for the comment Andrea!