As the holidays draw friends and relatives near to us at Country Club Vista, our friendly Flagstaff apartment community, planning can get hectic. Sometimes, a little quiet time is essential. We're fortunate to have 3,000+ nearby acres of preserved open space to refresh us, courtesy of Flagstaff's Open Space Program. 

And Country Club Vista has our own quiet, comfortable spaces to unwind and shake the stress off!

Four Soul-Refreshing Places  

1. Have you ever listened to the songbirds at Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve in northeast Flagstaff? It's free. And it's open all year. Bring your walking boots, a camera, and a leave-no-trace spirit.

2. No cars or motor vehicles are permitted at the Observatory Mesa Natural Area, so it's a perfect meditation spot. It's always open to the public, and the sounds of nature and crisp autumn leaves will soothe your soul.

3. Escape the city hubbub for an extended walk along McMillan Mesa. Stroll along the east rim of the mesa going south to enjoy sweet views over East Flagstaff. You'll find park benches inviting you to sit down and take in the serenity of the mesa.

What a great spot for seeing animals in their native habitat! Watch for deer. Listen to the many birds.

4. Our own Clubhouse is a peaceful space to work, study, or meditate when a change of surroundings fits the bill, without leaving home.

And have you visited the Business Center lately? It's welcoming yet private.

Yet another very popular hangout option in our community is the private patio or balcony gracing each of our apartment homes, offering a little meditative haven just outside our doors.

Discover What Our Flagstaff Apartments Have to Offer

Our laid-back common areas and the open space around us defines Country Club Vista's quality of life. If you're looking for a gentle spot to call home, contact Country Club Vista at (844) 825-5017. 

The post 4 Quiet Spots for Meditating appeared first on Country Club Vista Apartments Blog.

We walk through the rooms of a storm soaked apartment in Houston, Texas, as Mary, a twenty-plus-year resident of Nob Hill Apartments, points out the items she hopes she can keep, but we can clearly see are lost. The safety masks covering our mouths and noses do nothing to block the rank smell of stagnant flood water and growing mold. The air in the apartment is warm and humid, the air outside buzzing with mosquitos preying on the exposed skin of anyone walking through the community working to salvage what they can from the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Even with the flood waters receded, we feel the sense of loss that weighs heavy as a storm cloud over the apartment community we’ve come to serve.

We try to prepare Mary for the worst—the disheartening fact that most of her worldly possessions must be declared casualties of the hurricane’s destructive force. But Mary’s determination outweighs our own, and pushes us in a new direction. Where we strive to prepare her for despair, she insists upon building us up with hope. And as we tell her we will help her as best we can, she leaves us with these words: “When I was a child, my teacher told me that the good deeds you do are added as stars to your crown in heaven. Your crowns are going to be full of all the stars in the heavens.”

***

Our group of volunteers left Arizona in the early hours of September 6 to make our way to Houston. Our team was made up of multifamily housing team members from Bella Investment Group in Flagstaff, AZ, who had committed to partner with Apartment Life, an organization that places CARES Teams within apartment communities to “look for ways to love their neighbors as themselves.” We have often seen the outpouring of love CARES Teams deliver to the residents of our Bella communities—now was our chance to take the CARES mission upon ourselves and make a difference in the lives of those impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

After spending Wednesday evening assembling and loading U-Haul trucks with Resident Recovery Kits, we headed into the community on Thursday to see where we could help. As we approached Nob Hill Apartments, a 1300+ unit apartment community situated on Brays Bayou in the Meyerland suburb, we saw streets lined with debris and abandoned furniture, clothing, toys, even cars—all casualties of the surging flood waters. Nob Hill is where we met Mary, along with dozens of other residents who were packing up what they could to leave the community many of them called home. We expected the despair in the faces of the people of the community to match the destruction we saw in the streets. But where we expected despair, we saw hope.

One of the first young men we spoke to assured us that he had not been hit “too bad” by Harvey’s destructive power. “For me, it wasn’t as bad as for other folks,” he told us as we walked through one section of Nob Hill. “Other people got it much worse.” I learned later that for him, “not too bad” meant he “only” lost his car and about half of the possessions in his apartment. He counted himself lucky, despite his losses, and assured us that now that he knew we were there, he would help us find people who needed more help than he did. And he was true to his word. He eagerly came to us with the names and addresses of neighbors who could “really use your help,” and seemed overjoyed to be what he considered a “small part” of our work. The misery we expected seemed to have receded with the flood waters, and in its place love, humanity, and hope had blossomed.

For the CARES team in Houston, the Relief Kits and resources they handed out seemed like only a “drop in the bucket” of the recovery that needed to be done in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. An office team member, who had been pulled from a different property to assist at Nob Hill, described her efforts of pointing residents toward resources and gathering contact information from those who needed to move as “a drop in the bucket” compared to what she felt the people around her needed and the losses she knew they had endured. Even as we gave resources, monies, and hugs to those we met, we began to say that we knew it was only “a drop in the bucket” for those who had lost so much so quickly.

Yet the enduring power of hope outshined our perspective. The more people we met, the more we got the sense that in creating for themselves a sense of normalcy even among lost possessions, abandoned homes, and more, the residents of this community were finding something beyond the despair we saw on the news. Make no mistake—there remains much to be done to restore what has been lost in these communities devastated by the storms. But even beyond the knowledge of loss is the hope of helping hands. We saw donations from across the country pooled together to fan the flames of this hope. We witnessed police cars lining the streets from around the country to lend aid and relief to first responders who had not yet even had the chance to assess and accept their personal losses. We saw barbecue fundraisers and Red Cross vans delivering lunches and dinners on a daily basis where they were needed most. We saw neighbor reaching out to neighbor to lighten each other’s loads. And we saw tears of sorrow become tears of joy as people heard how far folks had come to help.

“To help me?” one woman said to me, stepping back in shock from a tight hug when I told her we had flown in from Arizona. “Y’all came all this way just to help me?”

“We know it’s just a drop in the bucket,” I found myself saying, but she cut me off.

“A drop in the bucket?” she gasped, clasping my hands in her own. “Child, it’s the whole ocean!”

I left Houston with news of the impending impact of Hurricane Irma ringing in the background on every television set we passed from our hotel lobby to the airport terminal. In the shadows of yet another destructive storm, it’s hard to ignore that there remains so much need along the Gulf Coast as residents there work to rebuild. Hurricane Harvey’s impact will be felt in this area for months, if not years, to come.

But even in the shadows of these destructive storms crashing upon our shores and cities, we see the silver linings illuminated by the selfless acts of people who keep their heads held high, their spirits lifted, and the hopes of their communities blazing against the dark times ahead. We can all be a part of bringing hope to these communities. Apartment Life continues to raise funds for relief efforts for both Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma. The Red Cross continues to step up their efforts to prepare and provide relief. Countless other organizations are out there, waiting for each of us to step up and impact lives by being beacons of hope in the midst of despair.

Please join us in supporting the ongoing relief efforts, and make your own "drop in the bucket" contribution to those impacted by this year's hurricane storms:

Donations for Apartment Life Harvey Relief Kits: https://tiny.cc/alharvey

Donations for Apartment Life Irma Relief Kits: https://tiny.cc/alirma

The post Beacons of Hope in the Midst of Despair: A Local Hurricane Harvey Relief Story appeared first on Country Club Vista Apartments Blog.

Tasty pie can punctuate a perfect evening. It can follow up a delicious meal or be the final stop of a night out on the town. The right pie can even be a great way to start the day, as most pies pair well will coffee. Fortunately, we’ve found the very best pie Flagstaff has to offer and compiled them all in one convenient place for your consumption. Don't forget the ice cream!

The Absolute Best Places for Pie in Flagstaff

Residents of apartments in Flagstaff, AZ are privy to some of the best pie in the state (and possibly the entire country). Below are the three best places for finding the tastiest pie:

1. Sugar Mamas. This specialized, custom-order bakery has earned a reputation for baking up tasty treats for Flagstaff locals. Customers of Sugar Mamas have ordered wedding cakes, birthday cakes and, of course, tasty pies to satisfy their cravings. While you can stop in and purchase a premade pie, you will benefit from calling ahead and having a pie made just for you!
   Miz Zip’s Café. Pie is one of the pillars of the Miz Zip's menu. They're known for serving up slices of cherry and apple pies with chilly heaps of ice cream, sure to please any palate! (The burgers aren't bad, either.)
2. Coco’s Bakery Restaurant. Coco’s is a franchise in a well-known chain, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have tasty pies! Much like Miz Zip's Café, they serve more than pies. Enjoy a full American meal followed up by your pie of choice. We especially enjoyed the coconut cream pie!

Now you’re ready to explore the absolute best pies in Flagstaff, AZ. Which one of the above suggestions is your favorite place?

Are you looking to for a comfortable Flagstaff apartment? Make an appointment with us today to view our available floor plans as soon as you finish that slice of pie!

The post Where to Get the Tastiest Pie in Flagstaff appeared first on Country Club Vista Apartments Blog.

Flagstaff Historic Downtown

Catch the vibe of old Flagstaff by checking out the historic downtown area. Enjoy plenty of excellent restaurants, shopping, theaters, family entertainment and salsa dancing in the summer.

Coconino National Forest

If you love going hiking, backpacking or just being out in nature, a trip to the Coconino National Forest is a must-see.

Lowell Observatory

See the skies through a historic telescope at the Lowell Observatory. It’s fun for the whole family to view the stars and planets and learn more about the constellations.

Historic Sites Near Flagstaff Apartments

Walnut Canyon

Walnut Canyon offers easy hiking and an opportunity to immerse yourself in Flagstaff history, and it isn’t far from your Flagstaff apartments at Country Club Vista. See pueblos and cliff dwellings from early inhabitants and get a sense of the roots of this special area.

In addition, check out the Walnut Canyon National Monument. This beautiful, peaceful natural site is a feast for your visual and tactile senses. There’s quite a bit of walking required to take in the full scope of the monument, but most visitors believe the effort is well worth it.

Museum of Northern Arizona

Take the whole family to see intriguing archaeology and geology exhibits as well as displays about cultural heritage, ancient civilizations and the arts. You’ll be transported to pre-historic times and take a journey all the way up to present day. There are also numerous festivals held by the museum including Navajo and Hopi Native American events.

Sunset Crater Volcano

This inactive volcano near Flagstaff inspires awe as you walk out over old lava flows and sense the history of the site. Catch the sunset and be amazed!

The sights, experiences, natural wonders and historic sites of Flagstaff are part of its allure for residents and visitors. When you live at the Country Club Vista Flagstaff apartments, you’ll have close access to all of these features and more. Consider making these premiere Flagstaff apartments your new home!

The post The Local’s Guide to Flagstaff appeared first on Country Club Vista Apartments Blog.

Start the Morning With Breakfast

The La Bellavia Restaurant is a homey nook for breakfast. Enjoy hearty, traditional breakfasts like eggs benedict, waffles, pancakes and scrambled eggs. Mike & Rhonda’s is a popular outpost well known for its super-sized breakfast biscuits. You’ll also enjoy other American breakfast staples, such as poached eggs and western omelets. Savor a Mexican breakfast at MartAnne’s Breakfast Palace. Enjoy huevos rancheros with eggs along with some freshly squeezed orange juice. This breakfast restaurant also features both tables and booths along with walls decorated with regional paintings.

Break for Brunch at These Favorite Venues

Without a doubt, Flagstaff is a brunching town. Stop at La Bella Via for a brunching experience to remember. Munch on a serving of whole wheat pancakes with real maple syrup or go with the eggs or smoked trout. Kid pancakes are served in the fun shape of koala bears. Criollo serves up Latin-inspired cuisine for brunch and uses local ingredients. Its dishes are both creative and upscale. Plus, they make the best Bloody Mary in town.

Brandy’s gets a steady flow of visitors and locals alike for brunch. Enjoy traditional favorites, specialty dishes and freshly baked goods. Both the food and service are excellent at this family-friendly restaurant.

If you’re looking for an apartment in Flagstaff, the Country Club Vista Apartments will not disappoint but will exceed expectations. Set in park-like grounds, the Country Club Vista Apartments features picnic gazebos, outdoor grills, laundry facilities, fitness course, basketball court and a swimming pool. Quality and luxury are the hallmarks of our apartment complex. Visit us today to learn more.

The post Our 5 Favorite Flagstaff Breakfast and Brunch Spots appeared first on Country Club Vista Apartments Blog.

If you want peace and quiet:

1. Find a quiet picnic table or sitting bench at one of Flagstaff's neighborhood, community or regional parks. With 26 different options, you will never tire of your surroundings. 

2. Studying at the library is tried and true, and if you want peace and quiet along with plenty of workspace and climate control, then you should definitely consider the Flagstaff City/Coconino County Library. The main branch is across from City Hall and next to Wheeler Park, and is open until 9 PM several nights each week.

If you don't mind some background noise:

3. Check out any one of 15 locally owned coffee shops in Flagstaff. With free wi-fi, delicious beverages and snacks and friendly personnel, studying or working remotely won't seem like such a chore. 

4. Find a bench at Heritage Square Trust in downtown Flagstaff. When the outdoor amphitheater isn't bustling with free concerts or other activities, the benches at Heritage Square can be a peaceful place to enjoy the outdoors while hitting the books. 

If you want to stick close to home:

5. No list would be complete without mentioning the amazing business center, clubhouse or picnic gazebo available to residents of Country Club Vista apartments in Flagstaff. You may even want to study by the pool to make your study breaks extra refreshing. 

There are many places to study in Flagstaff. To learn more about all of the community's amenities, contact the office today at 866-941-5434.

The post 5 Places to Study in Flagstaff, Arizona appeared first on Country Club Vista Apartments Blog.