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annaabullock · 5 years

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Line of Sight

I tend to write only for myself, but I’ve realized I feel strong emotions just like you and I want to share them with you.

I want to share some of the best memories I’ve experienced this past year with you. I want to tell you about the people that changed my life.

Flying from California to Prague and meeting some of my best friends in a country that first intimidated me opened my eyes to more than I could imagine. This past year was filled with those kinds of moments that make you realize why you’re alive. Those moments when you feel your heart pound faster than ever before. Those moments when you look around and see people that make you smile from ear to ear. These people all share the same characteristic, they long to find true beauty in a world that so easily places darkness in our hearts and minds.

As Petr Ginz once said:

“Prague, you fairy tale in stone, how well I remember!”

I want to start by telling you about someone very special to me. This person taught me to love myself no matter what others think. She became my stillness when all I felt prior to her arrival was a never ending storm of doubt and questioning. She knew herself and her goals and I longed to be like her. Her passion for teaching and loving others sparked my interest, to say the least. Today I call her much more than a friend, but yesterday she was just the girl that sat next to me in my soviet block class always wearing a colorful button-up and cheetah print Guess glasses. Her soul filled with love and passion, yet her past never shown on her porcelain soft face. Filled with fire and the will to see the wonders of the world; she began to teach me what others could not. She spent hours with her face in novels filled with stories of the past. She lives to tell others narratives and loves every second of it. She’s a beautiful woman waiting to take her shot in this world. And when she does... she won’t miss. When you get a front row seat and watch closely, you will find the heart of a saint and the passion of a world leader. She’s just her true beautiful self.

Oh how I could not believe this next person came into my life. She’s a woman filled with fire. Her long black hair tells the story of a girl with sass and gratitude. She can dance all night. She can sing her heart out to ABBA and Queen. She can make you laugh harder than you’d ever thought possible. She’s a young woman that pushes you to do better and to realize you’re not alone. Upon meeting you, I never thought in a million years we would be laughing our asses off in the middle of Masarykova Kolej at 2am or dancing through the streets after hearing our favorite 80’s music play in a club that stamped “home” on our hearts. She showed me what it meant to be a true friend whether we see each other everyday or once a month. We both know we’ll never forget what Prague brought us. Prague showed us both what life looks like when you don’t give a damn what others say. Nicki Minaj would be proud to know her biggest fan screamed the lyrics of “Plain Jane” in a dorm filled with Czech students just trying to get some shuteye. Oh how I miss taking the Dejvická metro at 5am and sprinting after tram 20 to take us one stop away. You were and always will be my other half my friend.

Blonde, tall, filled with stories. She’s a sarcastic woman with the brain of Einstein. From trying to teach each other ways to memorize the Czech language to crying while listening to “Angela,” you were my buddy. Waking up early and talking over a cup of coffee. It’s simple moments like these that make me remember how alive we were. Watching the sunrise as the next day in our little magical city began to unfold. We loved every minute of it. The snow falling slowly down on the cobblestone streets. Just a California girl standing next to someone that’s seen it all. Thank you for letting me scream when I woke up early to find the city covered in white powder. We were sisters when we went out late and the best combination of crazy and young anyone has ever seen. I can hear it now. The laughs and the conversations filled with how lucky we were to be in a city that gave us love and a glimpse at pure joy.

No one could ever forget you two. We will always call you “the boys.” You two brought friendship and long nights filled with talks of how to change the world for the better. From discussing economic detriments to political activism, we weren’t afraid to push each other’s limits and allow our minds to search freely for our own newly created opinions. I’ll never forget spending the day in Dresden, walking the streets and continuously pouring bottle after bottle into that gray hydro flask we all shared. Our footprints forever in cities we created memories. We were the group filled with anarchists, lonely hearts, and of course good Chinese food. I know the family market misses your purchases and our terrible Czech “dekuju” as we walked out the door to play Mao and watch our feet sail high in the place we called our spot. As we watched our Eiffel Tower light up bright, we sang along to “Blur” and discussed how the modern apartments across the way looked like legos. I know that even though we’re long gone, our souls still linger in that park and I can still hear the sound of tram 22 passing by, the electric wire sending off sparks as we watch it slowly pass by. Us four know the Russians miss us and our company at our favorite spot just next to the TV Tower. From wandering through parks to yelling at each other in Banyan. We made memories we’ll never forget.

Cheers to you Prague.

I’ll never forget that tiny little Central European country that taught me to never give up and to do the things most would find unimaginable. You brought more than just joy into this young girls heart. You gave me friendships that will last even after I am gone. My heart will forever be found on top of Petrin Hill watching over the city, with tears rolling down my cheeks as I vividly remember every memory made. My heart full and my soul armored in joy, I’ll be back in the blink of an eye.

-A.B.

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tamboradventure · 4 years

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How to See Taiwan on a Budget

Posted: 6/8/20 | June 8th, 2020

With a million things to do, a huge variety of delicious food, warm-hearted people, lots of hiking opportunities, and beautiful buildings and temples, Taiwan has it all.

Yet, despite that, it remains one of the most underrated — and undervisted — countries in Asia.

On the one hand, I like that it’s still off the radar because it means fewer crowds. You’ll never see too many people traveling around Taiwan. It’s, to use the cliche, a hidden gem you have (mostly) to yourself. There are no hordes of people trying to take their IG selfies.

On the other hand, it’s a shame people don’t make Taiwan a bigger travel priority because it’s so wonderful and has so much going for it. This is a country that deserves way more attention than it is given.

And, what’s great for budget travelers like us, is that Taiwan is also super affordable.

It’s on a level of cheapness similar to parts of Southeast Asia, with many meals costing only a few dollars. Even when I “splurged” on a meal like a high-end sushi omakase, I spent less than 1,200 NT$ ($40 USD). A meal (and too many beers) at an English style pub aimed at expats? Less than 360 NT$ ($12 USD).

Taiwan is a dream destination for those looking to get a lot of value for their money.

Today, I’m going to break down some typical costs in Taiwan, my suggested budgets, and ways to save.

Typical Costs

Taiwan is pretty cheap so, as long as you don’t eat at high-end restaurants or stay at upscale hotels, you won’t be hard-pressed to spend a lot of money. Here’s a list of typical costs in new Taiwan dollars (NT$):

Noodle soup – 30-45 ($1-1.50 USD)

Noodles – 40 ($1.35 USD)

Rice – 85-100 ($2.85-3.35 USD)

Lunch boxes – 100 ($3.35 USD)

Sushi lunch – 300 – 450 ($10 – 15 USD)

MosBurger (best fast food burger joint) – 165 ($5.50 USD)

Museum entry – 30-100 ($1-3.35 USD)

Metro ride – 30-65 ($1-2.15 USD)

Taxi – 70 (plus 25 per kilometer) ($2.35 USD plus 0.84 per km)

Intercity train ride – 375-850 ($12.55-$28.40 USD)

High-speed rail (HSR) – 155-1,500 ($5.20-50.15 USD)

Hostel dorm – 240-600 per night ($8-20 USD)

Hostel private room – 1,050-1,350 per night ($35-45 USD)

How Much Did I Spend?

Over 13 days, I spent a total of 29,273 NT$ (2,252 NT$ per day). In USD, that’s $981 ($75 USD per day). Now, my notes were a bit less than fully detailed towards the end of my trips and I can’t find some receipts so I’m going to round this up to an even 2,375 NT$ ($80 USD) per day.

That’s actually a lot more than I thought I spent. I had to do the numbers twice but more on that in a second.Here’s how those costs broke down:

Food – 8,597 NT$ ($289.20 USD)

Accommodation – 13,351 NT$ ($449.12 USD)

Tours/Museums – 1,410 NT$ ($47.43 USD)

Transportation – 5,915 NT$ ($198.95 USD)

So why did I spend so much money in a country that I said just was “super cheap”? I mean $80 is way more than Southeast Asia levels. Well, it has more to do with me than travel in Taiwan:

First, I stayed in private rooms. At three to four times the cost of a dorm, that is going to add up really quickly. I don’t like dorms since I’m a light sleeper and, since I was traveling alone, I didn’t have anyone to split the cost of the room with.

Second, I took a lot of high-speed trains. Those tickets are 600-1,200 NT$ ($20-40 USD) a ride versus 150-300 NT$ ($5-10 USD) for the regular train. Since I had little time and a lot of ground to cover, that drove up my costs.

Third, I took a few private tours as I wanted a local guide for myself so I could ask a battery of questions about life in Taiwan. I enjoy doing that over group tours, especially when I am researching destinations for guides like I was during this visit.

And, finally, in an effort to eat as much as possible, I probably had 3-4 meals a day, including many high-end restaurants and Western food. That amount of food really shrank my wallet (but sadly not my waistline). I’m talking a Hobbit level of eating here:

Those four things drove up my daily average to levels your average traveler/backpacker wouldn’t hit in such a short time.

How Much Do YOU need?

So, with that said, how much do you need to travel around Taiwan? If you replicated my trip, I think 1,930-2,230 NT$ ($65-75 USD) would be enough. You wouldn’t want for anything on that budget and it would cover cheap private accommodation, high-speed trains, some tours, and a healthy amount of food and drinks. If you took a few slower trains or stuck to eating at food markets (avoiding high-end sushi restaurants like me), you could get by closer to 1,785 NT$ ($60 USD) per day.

If you’re on a backpacker budget, you need around 890-1,040 NT$ ($30-35 USD) a day. A dorm room will cost you around 300 NT$ ($10 USD), meals are only 90-150 NT$ ($3-5 USD) each, and beer is pretty cheap. Taking regular (slower) trains would save a few more dollars a day.

In short, whether you’re a backpacker or just a regular budget traveler, you’re never going to spend a huge amount here. Outside accommodation and high-end food, everything in the country is super cheap.

How to Save Money in Taiwan

If you’re looking to spend even less money and get some good deals, here are things that can lower your costs even more:

1. Skip the High-Speed Rails (HSR) The high-speed trains in Taiwan are super convenient (though they only go down the west side of the island): they depart every 15 minutes and the journey between Taipei and Kaohsiung (the most southern point) only takes 1 hour and 50 minutes.

However, they are also very expensive: a ticket from Taipei to Kaohsiung costs around 1,500 NT$ ($51 USD). On the other hand, the “local” trains are half the price at just 845 NT$ ($28 USD) (likewise, it’s just 539-739 NT$ ($18-25 USD) from Taipei to Tainan and around 375 NT$ ($12.50 USD) from Taipei to Taichung).

Plus, the HSR line doesn’t pass through city centers, so you’ll either need to take a bus or train from the HSR station, costing more time and money.

So, if you want to save money and aren’t in a rush, skip the HSR trains.

2. Stay in Hostels In Taipei, hostel dorms can be found for 550-700 NT$ ($18.50-23.50 USD) per night for 6-10-bed rooms. Private rooms in hostels can be had for 1,600-2,200 NT$ ($54-74 USD) per night.

Also, skip hostel private rooms. A basic two-star hotel will cost 1,200-1,500 NT$ ($40-50 USD), making it a better budget choice if you want privacy.

3. Eat at the Food Markets The food in Taiwan is world-class. I didn’t appreciate it much when I lived there back in 2010, but now I realize just how diverse, tasty, and healthy the food is. Every town is littered with day and night markets. If you want to save money on food (and it’s very easy to do that here), eating the local food at these markets is the best way to eat on a budget. You’ll find most meals cost around 30-80 NT$ ($1-2.75 USD).

And, even if you prefer a sit-down restaurant, you’re looking at 120-150 NT$ ($4-5 USD) for a meal at a place serving Taiwanese cuisine.

You never need to spend more than 400 NT$ ($15 USD) per day here.

Eat local = save big!

4. Avoid Western Food I mean you didn’t come all this way to eat a bad version of the food you can get back home, right? You can find every Western dish your heart desires in Taiwan and most of these meals will cost about 300 NT$ ($10 USD). But, frankly, skip Western food. I never found anything that great and Taiwanese cuisine is way more delicious and filled with such variety that you’re not going to get tired of “eating the same thing” over and over again.

5. Take Free Walking Tours One of the first things I do when I arrive in a new destination is take a free walking tour. They give you the lay of the land, show you the main highlights of the city, and provide you with a local guide who can answer your questions.

Like It Formosa is the best walking-tour company in Taiwan, offering tours in Taipei, Jiufen, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. Its tours have a cultural and historical focus, making them a great foundation for your visit.

And, if you’re in Taipei and want something more lively, Tour Me Away offers free tours as well as pub crawls and food tours starting at 600 NT$ ($20 USD) per person. They’re a good choice for backpackers looking to meet other travelers.

6. Take the Bus Intercity coach buses are available to all major cities around Taiwan, including Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. They are comfortable, modern, safe, and have air conditioning (too much, usually, so bring a sweater).

A bus from Taipei to Kaohsiung takes around five hours and costs 300-500 NT$ ($10-17 USD) depending on what day and time you depart.

The two main intercity bus companies are Ubus and Kuo-Kuang Bus. For fares and timetable information, visit taiwanbus.tw.

7. Take in the Free Attractions There are plenty of free temples, shrines, museums, and parks around the country. There’s more than enough to fill your days. I never had a problem wandering around the cities and finding things to do that didn’t cost a penny. Your local accommodation or guide book or Google can tell you what to do.

8. Go Hiking Spend your days hiking Taiwan’s many mountains and trails. Taiwan is filled with national parks. The country is so small that you are never far from any park, they are well connected to public transportation, and they are all free.

***

Taiwan is an incredibly affordable destination . To me, it’s on par with some destinations in Southeast Asia since the food was cheap and so many activities were free. You get a lot of value here. So, if you’re looking for an uncrowded and affordable place to visit, Taiwan is it.

Book Your Trip to Taiwan: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

The post How to See Taiwan on a Budget appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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frommilestosmiles · 5 years

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When I told people I was heading to Kiev for the Easter weekend, the most common response was ‘why?’ It seems the world has yet to recognise the many delights that this city has to offer. With direct flights from London and a flight time of just over 3 hours, this is a destination you can visit in a long weekend. However, if you plan to visit Chernobyl as well, I strongly recommend you book at least three full days in the city (excluding travel days). There are so many incredible things to do in Kiev!

Entrance to the Chernobyl exclusion zone

Kiev itineraries

I don’t plan to provide an itinerary of top things to do in Kiev as that subject has already been done to death. Rucksack Ramblings provides an alternative view of Kiev with some fabulously, unusual suggestions whilst Megan Starr offers tons of inspiration with over 50 ideas.

Amazon.co.uk Widgets

Why visit Kiev?

Instead, I hope to persuade you that this city is worthy of a visit. With amazing architecture, fascinating history, great value prices and the opportunity to visit Chernobyl (the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster in case you didn’t know), you should not overlook this city. I mistakenly believed it would have little to offer to keep us amused during our stay. I could not have been more wrong!

Abandoned fairground in Chernobyl exclusion zone

3 Amazing things to do in Kiev

1. Fall in love with stunning architecture

Admittedly, Kiev has its fair share of Soviet monstrosities. But, interspersed with concrete apartment blocks you will find an astonishing array of splendid architecture. From crumbling pastel wedding cake style buildings to the imposing beauty of the Stalin baroque buildings on Khreshchatyk street, there are plenty of buildings to impress.

Wedding cake houses – how cute is this?

Astonishingly, it has all been constructed in the post-war era as the entire old town was destroyed in the Second World War. Today the city seems to be going through a Renaissance, as though on a mission to slowly eviscerate any reminders of Soviet dominion. Who can blame them considering some of the suffering inflicted on the local population by the old communist leaders?

Golden-Domed Monastery at sunset

New shimmering skyscrapers sit side by side with abandoned buildings, propped up by scaffolding, their windows boarded as though to hide their secrets of frivolous parties and pre-war heroics. If you take the time to look upwards, you will spot endless elaborate facades with decorations resembling the icing on wedding cakes. Their pretty colours fade and peel in the sun, a sorry reminder of the travesties wrought on Kiev.

Incredible tourist icons

That’s before you even take note of the many big-ticket attractions such as St Sophia’s Cathedral (housing the largest collection of frescoes in the world), the Golden Monastery, St. Andrews Cathedral, and oversized sculptures such as that of the Rodina Mat which rises 102 metres from its base to the top of the statue.

St Sophia’s bell tower, Kiev

2. Discover Kiev’s tragic history

Ukraine has a turbulent history but it’s hard to imagine as you bask in the sun and admire majestic mansions and extensive construction works which transform the downtown into a modern high rise metropolis.

In less than a hundred years Kiev has suffered invasion, multiple occupations, forced starvation and revolution, not to mention the world’s largest nuclear disaster.

The country’s access to fertile flatlands, the shores of the Black Sea, and the rivers of the Dnipro, means this region has been a target of Turks, Greeks, Austrians and Russians for centuries. But in the last century, Kiev has suffered insurmountable horror.

Abandoned homes in Zalissya, Chernobyle exclusion zone

Holodomor

On our tour of the city, I discovered the disturbing story of the Holodomor. In retaliation for their fierce determination to resist agricultural collectivization, the Soviets instigated a man-made famine. This inhumanity killed an estimated 4 – 5 million Ukrainians between 1932 and 1933. Ukrainians were reluctant to sacrifice their private land and work on state-owned farms, so Stalin ‘aimed to crush any aspirations of independence’ with blockades that restricted the flow of food.

Up to 30,000 Ukrainians a day were dying from starvation, yet Stalin continued to ‘export millions of tons of grain, more than enough to have saved every starving man, woman and child’.

It’s hard to conceive of such evil, and yet these figures do not include the half a million people who were ‘dragged from their homes, packed into freight trains, and shipped to remote, uninhabited areas such as Siberia where they are left, often without food or shelter.

A memorial to this terrible genocide is high above the Dnipro river by the Arsenalna Metro station.

Babi Yar

The Soviets and the Germans were responsible for more brutal events during World War II. Just ten days after the Nazis occupied Kiev in 1941, mass executions of Romani, Jews and Ukrainian nationalists commenced. Nazis unceremoniously herded over 34,000 Kyivan Jews into a ravine in Babi Yar on the outskirts of the city where they were coldly executed. The executions continued until the Soviets liberated the city, by which time over 120,000 people had perished in this barbaric way.

This harrowing video is reminiscent of scenes from the Killing Fields in Cambodia. I literally felt sick to my core watching the indiscriminate brutality and disregard for human life.

The destruction of Kiev

At the same time, the Soviet Red Army was determined to destroy many of the city’s buildings which were supposedly occupied by Germans. They used new remote-controlled explosive mines which they planted in over 200 buildings around the city. Many were residential and the explosions caused innumerable civilian losses as well as the slaughter of hundreds of German troops.

Regarded as the ‘largest terror operation in the world’s history’ the city’s main street of Khreshchatyk was virtually obliterated.

Revolution of Dignity

Fast forward to more recent times, and more bloodshed. Initially, protesters in November 2013 were simply calling for rapprochement with Europe from Viktor Yanukovych’s administration. An unprovoked attack on sleeping protesters fuelled the movement and by December a mass student protest had emerged.

Independence square Maidan

Memorial on Indepdence Square, Kiev

Violence escalated over the following months. The president introduced more extreme laws and brutal clashes with the police became more frequent. Scenes on TV highlighted demonstrations on Maidan square, whilst fires raged and Molotov cocktails soared. Over a hundred people died during the revolution which culminated in a bloodbath on February 20th 2014. As bullets flew, Maidan Square was transformed into a veritable killing field. One day later, the president fled to Russia and a shell-shocked nation tried to resurrect democracy.

Chernobyl

The site of the largest nuclear disaster on the planet, Chernobyl offers a fascinating insight into a series of errors and Soviet arrogance. As you explore modern-day ghost towns, it’s hard not to feel sad for the people whose lives were devastated by the events of that fatal night in April 1986.

32 hours after the accident, with less than an hours notice, they had to leave with only basic possessions. 1,300 buses drove them from the area to host them with unwilling families. Later they moved into new city apartment blocks far from the life they had known.

The modern-day ghost town of Pripyat, Chernobyl exclusion zone

We took a day one trip to Chernobyl which I highly recommend. It is a tour like no other. Tourist numbers are on the rise, but if the decay accelerates, it may soon be impossible to explore. Go now!!!

3. Indulge in great value food and drink

Prices in Kiev are extremely reasonable. A couple can eat out, including two to three beers, for around £20 in a non-fancy restaurant. A 0.5l beer costs around £2, and hot dogs from stands around the city about a £1. Your money definitely goes further here than in many other European cities.

Here are some typical costs:

Subway fare – 8 (25p)

Airport train – 80 (£2.50)

Large water – 10 (30p)

Hot dog – 30 (£1)

Latte – 40 (£1.20)

Maybe you have other ideas?

Have you visited Kiev and have ideas you would like to share. Feel free to pop them in the comments as I would love to hear from you.

3 Terrible And Astonishing Things To Do In Kiev When I told people I was heading to Kiev for the Easter weekend, the most common response was ‘

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jamiekturner · 6 years

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Brochure Design Inspiration (64 Modern Brochure Examples)

You see brochure design examples everywhere, airports, metro stations, on the street corner or, targeted, in a doctor’s office, a hotel or a restaurant.

A lot of effort goes into making quality brochure designs, starting from a sketch that leads to a design and ending with the text that goes in it and has to be very carefully written to transmit the proper message.

We’re leaving the text part to copywriters to do their best with, but the brochure layout is left to us and we must make a pretty damn good job to attract the possible clients that get to see the creative pamphlet design.

For us to have made a good job means producing an excellent, creative brochure which will be one of the best on the market.

A small but very informative leaflet, mainly called a brochure design usually aims to promote or advertise services and products, companies and events.

Brochure design is one of the best possible ways to cram a small piece of paper with all the necessary information about the subject being advertised.

Creative brochure design and felicitous text will easily catch attention and give a hint to some actions, desirable by the person or company, depicted on the brochure cover itself.

Promotion of goods and services cannot be restricted to only one tool. Most of the famous companies and organizations usually deliver core information about themselves in all the possible ways.

They employ internet resources like advertising, billboards, letters, and brochure designs, of course. An attractive brochure or catalog design, along with other marketing tools, can communicate a message to potential clients, assisting them to identify with a brand or product.

This is why many companies distribute marketing brochures almost everywhere and it really works. If you want to succeed in selling something, you should take into consideration the fact that some people have different prejudices.

Some of them will never consider online shopping and are sure that all the advertisements on the internet simply spam.

Others would think that radio advertising is not reliable. Things get better when it comes to creative design ideas such as brochures or even booklets, especially well-designed ones.

Paper is something most of the population on the planet are comfortable with, and so most people usually don’t consider it to be something suspicious and unreliable. This makes brochure designs an excellent way to communicate with clients.

So you want to know how to create a brochure design?

Tips for learning how to create a brochure design that rocks

Know What Your Reader Wants

There’s one famous quote: if you want to catch a thief think like a thief. The situation with potential customers is very similar.

If you want a customer to come to your office, to buy your goods, to use your service, the first thing you should think of is the information your customer will be interested in.

You can be the best in your city in your field, the best in your country, but all the benefits you can offer are risking to remain unnoticed unless you represent them in the right way. Your pamphlet designs should, therefore, begin with looking at your business through your clients’ eyes.

Once you have taken your clients’ perspective into account, fill your brochure layout with the information your customer is most likely to be interested in.

That is to think thoroughly about all the key points concerning your goods and services and provide answers to the most crucial questions in the logical sequence of thoughts which may arise in mind of potential customers. This is an important step in creative pamphlet design.

Visuals in a marketing brochure

Recent studies have shown, that we perceive 80% percent of information around us only visually. This fact leads to the conclusion that one of the most important parts of your brochure layout is a photo or illustration.

Your brochure cover design should be attractive and be inviting, able to grab attention at a glance and to make the customer interested in reading the information you want to deliver.

It goes without saying that quality and resolution of graphic materials should be as high as it’s possible nowadays. One more tip: if you want to promote your company on the whole or to launch the brand it’s worth placing the emblem of company or motto where it can be easily noticed.

Colors should be bright and eye-catching, but should also correspond with the ones used in the brochure images, to make your pamphlet designing look more organic.

Bear in mind that in marketing different colors deliver different messages. So make sure the shades you choose to correspond with the aims you pursue. Violet usually implies luxury and opulence, while blue and all its hues represent intelligence.

One more important thing is the brochure graphic design and format. If you want to advertise a funeral service, it’s better to create a modest leaflet, while promoting spa services implies luxurious look that will invite you to indulge yourself with pleasant relaxation you deserve. Your booklet design would, therefore, be linked to your business goals and the services you offer.

Think of simple statements

Everything is good in moderation. In your attempts to make the marketing brochure as noticeable and eye-catching as possible it’s important not to overdo your design and clutter your brochure. Bear in mind that your corporate brochure should be created for the average person who may need a simple explanation of your services. Your business brochure should, therefore, be simple and easy to understand.

Brochure layout and fonts also matter. Although many people often try to stand out so much that a simple design often gains more attention. Many designers and agencies often use the same design strategies for a huge amount of projects while making creative brochures. Go for a unique design and ask for a pamphlet sample from your printers to ensure you’re happy with your choices.

Designers often use a standard approach because professionals notice objective laws common for all the brochures and other types of advertisement they produced.

One type of font attracts attention at a glance and another is so blatant that it rather distracts. However, even while using frequently used layouts or fonts, you can still offer up a unique product if you brainstorm brochure ideas with your designer.

Readability in a brochure design

The leaflet shouldn’t simply be good-looking and bright; it also should be readable and informative. The brochure template is supposed to cover the most important and relevant information. Brochure backgrounds should contrast to your print to ensure legibility. Keep your choice of fonts to a minimal when brochure designing to keep your page clean and legible.

It sometimes happens that a brochure is quite big. In this case, it’s better to include a list of contents in your catalog designs. This will simplify navigation when making a brochure.

Motivate your reader to look inside your creative brochures

The leaflet should be inviting and understandable. Keep your catalog cover design simple. If you scare away the customers with complicated and alien terms from the very first page, you’ll fail to promote the product. Try to invent a statement or a phrase that will make even an average man interested in the thing you advertise through your professional brochure.

People are always looking for some benefits, so try to introduce some discount or special offer on the front page so that the reader has at least slight interested in looking inside the brochure.

As soon as you’ve attracted their attention, they’re on the hook. Now you can familiarize them with everything you considered to be important concerning your product.

Describe your product in the marketing brochure

While describing your product it’s necessary to outline obvious benefits of your products in your company brochure design. For example, if you describe a hairdryer, it’s not enough to tell that you can dry your hair with it.

You need to explain what it is that sets your product apart from the competition. This is as true for a travel brochure design as it is for a college brochure design. Well designed brochures should always include this aspect.

Make it Personal when making a brochure

While delivering a speech to the huge audience eye contact is inevitable. But printed advertisement doesn’t include personal interactions. Best brochure design practices will communicate your message on your behalf.

While considering different brochure ideas, it’s more effective to address your audience with warmth. If people are addressed this way they feel some sort of their uniqueness, individuality and perceive it as a friendly conversation rather than intrusive, irritating advertisement.

Talk about your reader’s needs in your creative brochure

No matter how much you like your business and your company, professional pamphlet designs will should speak to your audience. People want their problems to be solved and solutions found. You could collect pamphlet samples or explore catalog design ideas to explore successful brochures.

A creative pamphlet which is well constructed will keep your audience interested.

Brochure design inspiration

There are times when every designer feels uninspired but there are more than enough brochure design examples to draw inspiration from.

As professionals, we all appreciate professional flyer design ideas that are completed to perfection. Enjoy this great collection of product catalog design inspirations!

3rock Corporate Brochure

adidas Creative Brochure

Anchure modern brochure design

Attitude Brochure

British High School of Art and Design Brochure

Cool brochure

Cultural events tri-fold brochure

Tri-fold brochure

CHP modern brochure design

Contemporary Slovenian Writers

Creative Brochure Genesi

Deep Funk Records Tri-Fold Brochure

Elmwood Spa – cool brochure

Entre Elles Tri-Fold Brochure

Fabriquem Emocions modern brochure design

Festival event brochure

Farmers Market Tri-Fold Brochure

Water Company Brochure

Hardware Store Brochure

hopefulvoyeur.com Brochure

Hotel Jetta modern brochure design

IamExpat creative brochure

IdeoLab Brochure

IKEA Tri-Fold Brochure

Iride professional brochure

Kung Fusion creative brochure

Leporello Street Art modern brochure design

Lifestyles modern brochure

LifeSynch Capabilities Brochure

Martial Arts Academy Brochure

MCA – A5 Brochure Design

MineralKat creative brochure

Moma modern brochure

moreYELLOW creative brochure

MV Teachers modern brochure design

Nick Cave

North Star Fund professional brochure

Rebrand – modern brochure

Retro Barbershop Brochure

Reynolda Village

Segna Libri modern brochure

Simpson’s Brochure Pack

Suikerbosrand brochure design

Tessuto Fashion modern brochure design

THSC professional brochure

TVNZ 7 creative brochure

TWHP 2010 EPIC Awards

Unicer Corporate Brochure

Vertex professional brochure

Vespa brochure

Volkswagen creative brochure

Xceed professional brochure

Yahoo Search Marketing Brochure

If you liked this article about creative brochure design, you should check out these articles as well:

How to make an album cover: 50 album cover design examples

Calendar Design: Tips To Design Your Own Calendar

Concert posters: Design, Ideas, and Inspiration

The post Brochure Design Inspiration (64 Modern Brochure Examples) appeared first on Design your way.

from Web Development & Designing http://www.designyourway.net/blog/inspiration/print-inspiration-from-55-splendid-brochure-designs/

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godrejnewproject · 6 years

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Godrej Upcoming Project Sector 106 Gurgaon

Buy Flats in Godrej New Project | Godrej New Housing Project Sector 106 Gurgaon

The real estate industry because of this as experienced a stagnation. With the political elections vomitting a clear champion, it is expected that a slew of brand-new facilities tasks will be revealed and this will certainly push the Godrej New Project out of the slump. In this scenario, Gurgaon will become a market which every person will certainly see with a keen rate of interest. So this could be the correct time to acquire 3 bhk flats in Gurgaon or a contractor flooring in Gurgaon.

More about Project

Godrej Properties has launched a new landmark project called Godrej Sector 106 Gurgaon. This residential complex offers the latest specifications and modern technology for a comfortable and convenient lifestyle for home buyers. The property has a contemporary design and comes with the latest modern architecture.Godrej New Housing Project Sector 106 Gurgaon is the best project that matched with your personality. All the requirements are fulfilled according to the buyers need that give you Complete relaxation. It’s the perfect that you and your family members will ever want. The pricing of the apartments is starting from Rs. 80 Lacs.

About Godrej Developer

Godrej Properties brings the Godrej Group philosophy of innovation and excellence to the real estate industry. The company is currently developing landmark projects in 12 cities across India. Established in 1990, Godrej Properties Limited is the first real estate company to have ISO certification. With projects that span across the country, the company's upcoming development covers 74 million square feet. To create landmark structures, Godrej Properties collaborates with outstanding associates and reputed names. The company aims to deliver superior value to all stakeholders through extraordinary and imaginative spaces created out of deep customer focus and insight.

Location & Neighbourhood

The developers Godrej Properties know the significance of the location from a resident point of view and hence same as other projects from it, this project Godrej Sector 106 Gurgaon possesses the best location to move to any part of the city. The residents can also have leading hospitals and premier educational institutes here. There are also important facilities such as medical stores and petrol pumps close to this project. One can also find some of the best recreation centers, banks, ATMs, shopping malls at an arm’s distance from this project. Hence from quality living as well as the availability of all the facilities this project is going to be the top-notch one and hence a property here will offer not only a considerable return but also a memorable living experience.

Project Godrej Sector 106 Dwarka Expressway Location Advantages :

Surely, IGI Airport is at just 15 minutes drive. Moreover, In close proximity to National Highway 8. Thus, Schools, University in close touch. More exactly, Good Medical facility nearby. Hence, Surrounded by Commercial and residential projects.

Master Plan Of Godrej New Project

Godrej Floor Plans

Luxury Amenities of Godrej New Project

SPA

GYM

ATM

Near Metro Station

Parking

Tennis Courts

Near Bus Stand

Power Backup

GAS

Community Gate

Servent Room

Modular kitchen

Flooring

Fire Alarm

Lift

CCTV

Wooden Flooring

Video Door Phone

The project offers all the ultra modern amenities at a very affordable price. Godrej Upcoming Project Sector 106 Gurgaon is designed with wide open green spaces that will make you feel closer to nature. The apartments have well-planned layouts, with efficient usage of space to give ample natural sunlight and ventilation for home buyers. Located in Sector 106, Gurgaon, the gated complex offers 24*7 security, power back-up and water supply.

Godrej New Project Style

Living at Godrej 106 Gurgaon has become a craze and why not when one gets all from comfort to style at very reasonable price. At here rays of the morning sun will greet you and the rich greenery soothes your senses. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the community swimming pool or burn some calories in the gym or walking track. Call your buddies over for a fun time at the club house with kid’s club which is operational 24X7. Don't just live; live in luxury with Godrej 106 Dwarka Expressway.

REACH FRESH AT WORK ALL DAY & EVERY DAY

Even with being enclosed in nature’s goodness, Godrej New Project At Sector 106 Gurgaon is very close to the centre of development. Location is one of the important factors which make this residential community one of the best communities in Gurgaon at Sector 106 on Dwarka Expressway with close proximity from reputed schools, entertainment & commercial hubs are just 15 minutes away from the site.

Get More Information

Shalabh Mishra

Mobile: 9212306116

Gmail: [email protected]

Skype: shalabh.mishra

Kindly.visit:-https://goo.gl/NXmuaA

#Godrej New Housing Project Sector 106 Gurgaon #Godrej Upcoming Project Sector 106 Gurgaon #Godrej New Project At Sector 106 Gurgaon #Godrej New Project

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realestateagent532 · 6 years

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Rent vs. Buy: 10 Cities Where You’ll Get the Most Bang for Your Buck

espiegle/iStock

Welcome to the tortured, modern American real estate soliloquy: to buy or not to buy? For millions of urban and suburban dwellers alike, that is the question. And it’s a tough one: As home prices keep nudging higher, so do rents, which don’t provide any equity.

You’ve calculated your assets and earnings. You’ve nailed down your lifestyle costs to the penny. You’ve zeroed in on the area where you want to put down roots. And you’re totally down with the whole American Dream of home ownership, tired of flushing away buckets of cash each month with nothing to show for it. But can you afford this? Saving up for that down payment and monthly mortgage can be an intimidating feat, especially for all those first-time buyers burdened with student loan debt.

That’s why renters across the country look around and wonder: Does it makes more financial sense, at this point in time, to rent rather than buy a home? The wallet-conscious data team at realtor.com® decided to dig into the numbers to find out.

We learned that homeownership isn’t always the best bet. It all depends on how much money you’re making compared to your expenses, what your plans and financial goals are, and, most importantly, where you plan to buy.

“Homeownership is the opportunity to build wealth. It also helps people be more stable,” says Joseph Kirchner, realtor.com’s senior economist. “If there’s a recession and you lose your job for a year, then people can take out a home equity loan and get through the hard times.” But the entry costs can be prohibitive.

To figure out where it makes more sense to rent instead of buy—and vice versa—realtor.com looked at the annual median costs of renting compared to the annual median costs of owning, including mortgage, taxes, and insurance payments, in the 500 largest U.S. counties. Then we looked at the median incomes (aka the size of paychecks) in each of those counties, to figure out where renting—or buying—was more financially advantageous.* (We capped the list at just two counties per state, to ensure geographic diversity.)

Then we boiled our info down into the monthly costs of ownership and for renting.

Our calculations also don’t factor in the costs of down payments or annual maintenance. And they don’t include home appreciation, which makes the investment worth more as the years go by. Rule of thumb: You should plan on staying in your home for at least five to seven years, to build enough equity to cover sales costs, Kirchner says.

Got it? Let’s start with the places where it’s cheaper to rent.

Best cities to rent in

Claire Widman

Best places to rent, not buy 1. New York, NY (Manhattan)

Median monthly rental cost: $1,915 Median monthly home ownership costs: $10,700** Median home sale price: $2,187,000

Buy in SoHo? More like So-NO!

NicolasMcComber/iStock

Everything is bigger in the Big Apple—salaries, egos, rats, and especially real estate price tags. One Upper East Side townhouse recently went under contract for a record-breaking $80 million. Folks here barely paused long enough to say ‘Wow.’ We expect this kind of craziness.

The city has always been a favorite enclave of the rich and famous. It attracts royalty, celebrities, and regular folks hailing from just about every corner of the world. So factor together the city’s uber-desirability with the dearth of condos, co-ops, and townhouses on the market, and you can understand why prices have been pushed to dizzying heights.

“Manhattan gets a lot of attention from international investors,” says real estate agent Grant Braswell of the Braswell Team. “If people are looking for a trophy apartment, it’s the first place to look.”

While rents are still as high as the Freedom Tower by comparison with most other U.S. markets, the city does have some rent-stabilized units. And rents on the high end of the market are starting to dip. That’s due to the influx of new rental towers hitting the market, forcing landlords to offer concessions, like a free month’s rent and other perks, to fill up the new and existing buildings.

“It’s a wonderful place to live, with so many jobs and opportunities.” says Braswell. “[But] there are very few affordable [homes] for purchase.”

2. Santa Barbara County, CA

Median monthly rental cost: $1,958 Median monthly home ownership costs: $6,500 Median home sale price: $888,000

Santa Barbara

bpperry/iStock

Often referred to as the “American Riviera,” Santa Barbara is known for its gentle Mediterranean climate, beautiful beaches, and dramatic, chaparral-covered peaks. But the coastal town that’s adored for its historic Mission Revival architecture and relaxed vibe—surf in the morning and go to work late!—is also known for its nosebleed-inducing real estate costs.

“The lifestyle is so great, people are willing to pay the premium,” says financial planner Jenna Rogers, of Mission Wealth in Santa Barbara.

But rents, while high, are less than a third of what it costs to own in this beachy county. There are plenty of rentals under $2,000.

3. Kings County, NY (Brooklyn)

Median monthly rental cost: $1,915 Median monthly home ownership costs: $4,400 Median home sale price: $874,000

Apartments for rent in Brooklyn

Barry Winiker/Getty Images

While its neighbor to the west, Manhattan, may attract more socialites and foreign investors, Brooklyn’s housing market has tons of A-list appeal. Sarah Jessica Parker’s “Sex in the City” persona, Carrie Bradshaw, may have famously lived in the West Village, but the actress and her hubby, Matthew Broderick, have opted for brownstone-lined Brooklyn streets over Manhattan high-rises, as have Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Dinklage, and countless other celebs. Brooklyn just has that artsy, cool factor that appeals to a wide range of folks, especially single millennials and young families.

It’s a diverse borough, ranging from exorbitant hipster hot spots to reasonably priced communities of working-class residents and immigrants. And it’s becoming ever more welcoming to renters.

An influx of new, luxury rental apartment buildings have opened in recent years, which has had a positive impact on prices. It’s actually more affordable to rent than it was just a couple of years back. Woohoo!

“There’s not enough demand to fill [all the new buildings],” real estate agent Braswell says. “It’s a pretty soft rental market.”

4. Monterey County, CA

Median monthly rental cost: $1,666 Median monthly home ownership costs: $4,500 Median home sale price: $889,000

Morning in Monterey, CA

optionm/iStock

Super-upscale Monterey and picturesque Big Sur were recently on display in HBO’s “Big Little Lies,” making the show appointment fetish viewing for real estate obsessives. There are a wide array of beautiful homes in the area, from historic bungalows to multimillion-dollar homes on gated golf courses. But there aren’t many condos or apartments—making it harder to break into the starter home market.

That leaves those without some seriously deep pockets forced to rent if they’d like to stay in the community. Hey, renting isn’t so bad. Those able to drop $2,800 a month on an apartment (still cheaper than the $4,500 they’ll pay to own), can score killer ocean views.

5. Suffolk County, MA (Boston)

Median monthly rental cost: $1,895 Median monthly home ownership costs: $3,400 Median home sale price: $782,000

Townhouses on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston

pawel.gaul/iStock

As the birthplace of the United States’ first public recreation area (Boston Common), oldest African-American church (African Meeting House), and the Revolutionary War (site of the Boston Tea Party), Boston is one of the most historically significant regions in the nation. It’s also one of the most competitive real estate markets.

“Ultimately, there’s much more upfront money needed to purchase vs. rent,” says Amy Goldberg, vice president at the real estate brokerage Compass Boston. “Bidding wars are common in Boston, and buyers need to put a lot down in order to make their offer stronger and stand out to sellers.”

At the same time, rents have actually leveled due to a deluge of shiny new full-service apartment buildings. Owners of older units that haven’t been updated are having a harder time finding tenants, so prices have fallen.

Rounding out the top 10 counties where renting may be a better option than buying are Maui County, HI; Fairfield County, CT; Santa Fe County, NM; Hudson County, NJ, and Miami-Dade County, FL.

Best places to buy, not rent Best cities to buy in

Claire Widman

Those not making high six- or even seven-figure incomes shouldn’t despair. They may not be able to afford a co-op in New York City, but that doesn’t mean they’re destined to never become homeowners. They just need to know where to look. Here are the counties where it’s more affordable to buy than rent.

1. Baltimore County, MD

Median monthly rental cost: $1,443 Median monthly home ownership costs: $900 Median home sale price: $257,000

Mount Vernon neighborhood in Baltimore

SeanPavonePhoto/iStock

Baltimore’s wave of foreclosures during the financial crisis struck hard, and the housing market is still catching up. That means that prices on 19th-century brick row houses near the Inner Harbor and larger, grander townhouses farther away from downtown have remained relatively affordable. The median list price throughout the city is just $179,000.

That’s made it attractive for folks priced out of Washington, D.C., where the median list price is a $550,000. The city’s downtown business district has been growing over the past few years, and developers have been trying to capitalize on the influx with a slew of luxury waterfront high-rises, driving up the rents.

“Housing values in Baltimore were slower to recover after the housing downturn than some other metro areas,” says real estate agent Wayne Curtis with RE/MAX Advantage Realty Baltimore. “With low interest rates, it’s actually less expensive to buy than it is to rent.”

2. Clayton County, GA (outside Atlanta)

Median monthly rental cost: $1,185 Median monthly home ownership costs: $660 Median home sale price: $130,000

Clayton County Courthouse

Wikipedia CC

Clayton County, located just about 20 minutes away from downtown Atlanta, has fallen on tough times. Not long before the housing bust incited a flood of foreclosures, the local school system lost its accreditation. The general economy was hit hard, and home prices went down to near nothing.

Then the investors came in to snap up everything left, fixed up the homes, and rented them out for a profit.

“Rents skyrocketed” as a result, says Kent R. Miller, owner of RE/MAX Advantage in Jonesboro. Post-housing-bust, it’s become far more affordable to purchase a home than to rent.

The median list price in Clayton County, at $130,050, is less than half the national median of $270,000. Cost-conscious buyers can still snag a fixer-upper in the county in the mid-$30,000s.

But prices are starting to creep up in this rural and suburban county, home to Confederate War battlefields and classic antebellum architecture.

3. Schuylkill County, PA

Median monthly rental cost: $847 Median monthly home ownership costs: $390 Median home sale price: $71,000

Tamaqua, PA, in Schuylkill County

Hshuvaeva/Wikipedia CC

Blanketed with rolling hills and quaint 1930s homes, Schuylkill County, PA, looks as if it could be the backdrop for a Norman Rockwell painting. The coal country county is about an hour’s drive from both Allentown and Reading, two manufacturing towns that have been staging a resurgence.

The median list price in Schuylkill is a fraction of that of Allentown, at $161,000, or Reading, at $139,000.

On the border of the county, new developments have sprouted up, offering new residents bigger homes on larger lots for significantly less money than a smaller property would cost in Berks or Lehigh County, where there are more jobs and businesses.

“If you’re in the sections that border neighboring counties, property taxes are lower, school taxes are lower” than across the border, says Kim Marks, a sales associate at Coldwell Banker.

Homes in some of the newer developments will set buyers back significantly more, though, ranging from $250,000 to $350,000.

4. Cumberland County, NJ

Median monthly rental cost: $1,271 Median monthly home ownership costs: $840 Median home sale price: $130,000

Cumberland County, NJ

Wikipedia CC

The fortunes of the economy of Cumberland County, set on the salt marshes of the Delaware River, about a 45-minute drive outside Philadelphia, have ebbed and flowed. It was once home to thriving oyster and shipbuilding industries, when sea captains built grand Victorian homes. These fell on hard times, and then the area’s silica-rich sand mines helped it to become a center for glass-making—until the rise of plastic drove many glass factories out of business.

The county still hasn’t sifted through the distressed housing inventory left over from the Great Recession—and investors have snapped up dirt-cheap properties and jacked up the rents on recently foreclosed residents.

Those factors have led to a buyer’s market. The median list price is low, so buyers who are willing to commute to Philadelphia can pick up a house for $30,000 to $100,000 less than in the city, says Larry DePalma, broker-owner of DePalma Realty.

“We have a nice little rural pocket here,” he says. Land is cheaper, so “it’s easier to build houses.”

5. Wayne County, MI (Detroit)

Median monthly rental cost: $1,008 Median monthly home ownership costs: $630 Median home sale price: $86,000

Renovated apartment building in the Palmer Park Historic District of Detroit

Mark Williamson/Getty Images

Wayne County is home to Detroit—a city that only a few years ago went bankrupt. But after decades of job losses, population declines, and foreclosures, the one-time auto manufacturing town is experiencing something of a revival.

“There is a lot of excitement now. We were hit so hard for so long, but it is amazing to watch what’s been going on for the past four or five years,” says Nikolas Leible, a real estate agent at Cooke Realty in the Detroit area. “Our focus used to be on manufacturing, but now we have entrepreneurs and artists coming into the area, and restaurants popping up every day.”

Despite all that improvement, homes are still a bargain here. Buyers can score a two- or three-bedroom abode for just a few thousand dollars. They just may need to roll up their sleeves and put in quite a bit of work (and cash for renovations and back taxes) into it.

Rounding out the top five counties where it may make more financial sense to buy than rent are Madison County, IN (Indianapolis, IN); Richmond County, GA (Augusta, GA); Wyandotte County, KS (Kansas City, KS); Montgomery County, AL; and Cambria County, PA.

* Home price data is from realtor.com, rental price data is fiscal year 2017 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and income..

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restate30201 · 6 years

Text

Rent vs. Buy: 10 Cities Where You’ll Get the Most Bang for Your Buck

espiegle/iStock

Then we boiled our info down into the monthly costs of ownership and for renting.

Got it? Let’s start with the places where it’s cheaper to rent.

Best cities to rent in

Claire Widman

Best places to rent, not buy 1. New York, NY (Manhattan)

Median monthly rental cost: $1,915 Median monthly home ownership costs: $10,700** Median home sale price: $2,187,000

Buy in SoHo? More like So-NO!

NicolasMcComber/iStock

“It’s a wonderful place to live, with so many jobs and opportunities.” says Braswell. “[But] there are very few affordable [homes] for purchase.”

2. Santa Barbara County, CA

Median monthly rental cost: $1,958 Median monthly home ownership costs: $6,500 Median home sale price: $888,000

Santa Barbara

bpperry/iStock

“The lifestyle is so great, people are willing to pay the premium,” says financial planner Jenna Rogers, of Mission Wealth in Santa Barbara.

But rents, while high, are less than a third of what it costs to own in this beachy county. There are plenty of rentals under $2,000.

3. Kings County, NY (Brooklyn)

Median monthly rental cost: $1,915 Median monthly home ownership costs: $4,400 Median home sale price: $874,000

Apartments for rent in Brooklyn

Barry Winiker/Getty Images

It’s a diverse borough, ranging from exorbitant hipster hot spots to reasonably priced communities of working-class residents and immigrants. And it’s becoming ever more welcoming to renters.

“There’s not enough demand to fill [all the new buildings],” real estate agent Braswell says. “It’s a pretty soft rental market.”

4. Monterey County, CA

Median monthly rental cost: $1,666 Median monthly home ownership costs: $4,500 Median home sale price: $889,000

Morning in Monterey, CA

optionm/iStock

5. Suffolk County, MA (Boston)

Median monthly rental cost: $1,895 Median monthly home ownership costs: $3,400 Median home sale price: $782,000

Townhouses on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston

pawel.gaul/iStock

Rounding out the top 10 counties where renting may be a better option than buying are Maui County, HI; Fairfield County, CT; Santa Fe County, NM; Hudson County, NJ, and Miami-Dade County, FL.

Best places to buy, not rent Best cities to buy in

Claire Widman

1. Baltimore County, MD

Median monthly rental cost: $1,443 Median monthly home ownership costs: $900 Median home sale price: $257,000

Mount Vernon neighborhood in Baltimore

SeanPavonePhoto/iStock

2. Clayton County, GA (outside Atlanta)

Median monthly rental cost: $1,185 Median monthly home ownership costs: $660 Median home sale price: $130,000

Clayton County Courthouse

Wikipedia CC

Then the investors came in to snap up everything left, fixed up the homes, and rented them out for a profit.

“Rents skyrocketed” as a result, says Kent R. Miller, owner of RE/MAX Advantage in Jonesboro. Post-housing-bust, it’s become far more affordable to purchase a home than to rent.

The median list price in Clayton County, at $130,050, is less than half the national median of $270,000. Cost-conscious buyers can still snag a fixer-upper in the county in the mid-$30,000s.

But prices are starting to creep up in this rural and suburban county, home to Confederate War battlefields and classic antebellum architecture.

3. Schuylkill County, PA

Median monthly rental cost: $847 Median monthly home ownership costs: $390 Median home sale price: $71,000

Tamaqua, PA, in Schuylkill County

Hshuvaeva/Wikipedia CC

The median list price in Schuylkill is a fraction of that of Allentown, at $161,000, or Reading, at $139,000.

“If you’re in the sections that border neighboring counties, property taxes are lower, school taxes are lower” than across the border, says Kim Marks, a sales associate at Coldwell Banker.

Homes in some of the newer developments will set buyers back significantly more, though, ranging from $250,000 to $350,000.

4. Cumberland County, NJ

Median monthly rental cost: $1,271 Median monthly home ownership costs: $840 Median home sale price: $130,000

Cumberland County, NJ

Wikipedia CC

“We have a nice little rural pocket here,” he says. Land is cheaper, so “it’s easier to build houses.”

5. Wayne County, MI (Detroit)

Median monthly rental cost: $1,008 Median monthly home ownership costs: $630 Median home sale price: $86,000

Renovated apartment building in the Palmer Park Historic District of Detroit

Mark Williamson/Getty Images

* Home price data is from realtor.com, rental price data is fiscal year 2017 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and income..

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2E3qA8g

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gillespialfredoe01806ld · 6 years

Text

Rent vs. Buy: 10 Cities Where You’ll Get the Most Bang for Your Buck

espiegle/iStock

Then we boiled our info down into the monthly costs of ownership and for renting.

Got it? Let’s start with the places where it’s cheaper to rent.

Best cities to rent in

Claire Widman

Best places to rent, not buy 1. New York, NY (Manhattan)

Median monthly rental cost: $1,915 Median monthly home ownership costs: $10,700** Median home sale price: $2,187,000

Buy in SoHo? More like So-NO!

NicolasMcComber/iStock

“It’s a wonderful place to live, with so many jobs and opportunities.” says Braswell. “[But] there are very few affordable [homes] for purchase.”

2. Santa Barbara County, CA

Median monthly rental cost: $1,958 Median monthly home ownership costs: $6,500 Median home sale price: $888,000

Santa Barbara

bpperry/iStock

“The lifestyle is so great, people are willing to pay the premium,” says financial planner Jenna Rogers, of Mission Wealth in Santa Barbara.

But rents, while high, are less than a third of what it costs to own in this beachy county. There are plenty of rentals under $2,000.

3. Kings County, NY (Brooklyn)

Median monthly rental cost: $1,915 Median monthly home ownership costs: $4,400 Median home sale price: $874,000

Apartments for rent in Brooklyn

Barry Winiker/Getty Images

It’s a diverse borough, ranging from exorbitant hipster hot spots to reasonably priced communities of working-class residents and immigrants. And it’s becoming ever more welcoming to renters.

“There’s not enough demand to fill [all the new buildings],” real estate agent Braswell says. “It’s a pretty soft rental market.”

4. Monterey County, CA

Median monthly rental cost: $1,666 Median monthly home ownership costs: $4,500 Median home sale price: $889,000

Morning in Monterey, CA

optionm/iStock

5. Suffolk County, MA (Boston)

Median monthly rental cost: $1,895 Median monthly home ownership costs: $3,400 Median home sale price: $782,000

Townhouses on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston

pawel.gaul/iStock

Rounding out the top 10 counties where renting may be a better option than buying are Maui County, HI; Fairfield County, CT; Santa Fe County, NM; Hudson County, NJ, and Miami-Dade County, FL.

Best places to buy, not rent Best cities to buy in

Claire Widman

1. Baltimore County, MD

Median monthly rental cost: $1,443 Median monthly home ownership costs: $900 Median home sale price: $257,000

Mount Vernon neighborhood in Baltimore

SeanPavonePhoto/iStock

2. Clayton County, GA (outside Atlanta)

Median monthly rental cost: $1,185 Median monthly home ownership costs: $660 Median home sale price: $130,000

Clayton County Courthouse

Wikipedia CC

Then the investors came in to snap up everything left, fixed up the homes, and rented them out for a profit.

“Rents skyrocketed” as a result, says Kent R. Miller, owner of RE/MAX Advantage in Jonesboro. Post-housing-bust, it’s become far more affordable to purchase a home than to rent.

The median list price in Clayton County, at $130,050, is less than half the national median of $270,000. Cost-conscious buyers can still snag a fixer-upper in the county in the mid-$30,000s.

But prices are starting to creep up in this rural and suburban county, home to Confederate War battlefields and classic antebellum architecture.

3. Schuylkill County, PA

Median monthly rental cost: $847 Median monthly home ownership costs: $390 Median home sale price: $71,000

Tamaqua, PA, in Schuylkill County

Hshuvaeva/Wikipedia CC

The median list price in Schuylkill is a fraction of that of Allentown, at $161,000, or Reading, at $139,000.

“If you’re in the sections that border neighboring counties, property taxes are lower, school taxes are lower” than across the border, says Kim Marks, a sales associate at Coldwell Banker.

Homes in some of the newer developments will set buyers back significantly more, though, ranging from $250,000 to $350,000.

4. Cumberland County, NJ

Median monthly rental cost: $1,271 Median monthly home ownership costs: $840 Median home sale price: $130,000

Cumberland County, NJ

Wikipedia CC

“We have a nice little rural pocket here,” he says. Land is cheaper, so “it’s easier to build houses.”

5. Wayne County, MI (Detroit)

Median monthly rental cost: $1,008 Median monthly home ownership costs: $630 Median home sale price: $86,000

Renovated apartment building in the Palmer Park Historic District of Detroit

Mark Williamson/Getty Images

* Home price data is from realtor.com, rental price data is fiscal year 2017 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and income..

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untoten1 · 7 years

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The Hunt: Atlanta’s hidden serial killers

GO DEEPER: Watch the full investigation from 11Alive Chief Investigator Monday night at 11 on #TheLateFeed and then discuss the story on our Facebook page.

ATLANTA – Our city holds a deadly secret.

Someone’s been hunting, strangling, murdering women, dating back to 1970s.

According to a homicide detective-turned professor and a former data journalist, Atlanta is likely hiding some of the most prolific serial killers in U.S. history.

They’ve never been caught, and their crimes… left cold.

Numbers, data and an algorithm have done what detectives haven’t been able to do—outline the largest cluster of unsolved strangulation murders of women in the nation—more than 130 women who were strangled or asphyxiated to death, spanning over four decades. Most of these murders were committed within the city of Atlanta; all within the metro area.

Nearly 100 of those cases were reported as unsolved to the FBI.

News once plastered the TV, scrolled across newspapers, warning, informing, questioning.

“Women were warned to lock their doors and look out for each other,” 11Alive reported.

“She was beaten beyond recognition and strangled with a metal cord tightened around her throat."

“The women were all strangled and sexually assaulted…”

“The number one suspect in the murders of at least four women."

“Homicide detectives searched through the thick brush of a Southwest Atlanta lot looking for clues in the death of an identified woman…”

“Was she killed here, or did someone dump her body here? All questions homicide detectives are trying to answer tonight…”

But those reports didn’t lead to any clear-cut connection or illuminate a serial killer’s identity.

No one connected the dots. Until now.

01 / 24

“The public is fascinated with Jeffrey Dahmer, and the Zodiac, and the Son of Sam – the most important killers are the ones that we don’t even know about yet,” said Michael Arntfield, a former detective who leads The Cold Case Society in Canada shedding light on these cases—and making those connections.

“The most prolific serial strangler in American history, or multiple offenders operating in the same city with the same M.O. at the same time – all undetected,” he said.

The Cold Case Society

Arntfield and the Cold Case Society study Thomas Hargrove’s eye-opening data.

Hargrove, a former journalist and the founder of the Murder Accountability Project, a non-profit in Washington, D.C., created an algorithm from not only FBI homicide data, but from police departments nationwide—and now is the most complete homicide database in the nation.

Math has done what forensics could not—create a pattern and pinpointing probable serial killers. And it’s his algorithm that signaled an alert over an Atlanta strangulation cluster spanning several years.

The victims of Atlanta’s unsolved murders now live only as zeros and ones on a computer hard drive in Hargrove’s home office in Alexandria, Va.

“We’ve assembled records now on 751,000 murders in the United States. And what the algorithm does is try to group those murders into meaningful clusters of murders,” Hargrove said scrolling across his computer screen full of colorful dots symbolizing killings nationwide.

The Murder Accountability Project mines the data, exploring connections between homicides across the country and creates clusters, indicating plausible serial killers. The algorithm seeks for similarities between who was murdered, how they were killed, where and when.

And the biggest cluster in the nation is Atlanta’s strangulation murders.

But, why couldn’t this just be a series of random events perpetrated by multiple individuals?

Approximately five percent of murders are by strangulation—however, 25 percent of serial killers’ M.O. is strangulation, he said.

“Why do we feel pretty confident that you have multiple serial killers in Atlanta? Because of mathematics. Strangulation is relatively rare. It is not rare in Atlanta,” Hargrove said.

Atlanta murder by the numbers

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Atlanta murder by the numbers

“[It’s] by far the largest series in modern history,” Hargrove said. “The odds of this being 133 individual killers who just were astonishingly lucky.”

“I would bet my house that, no, there are multiple serial killers at work, and they were very successful.”

The vast majority of those cases remain unsolved.

In the mid-90s, nine Atlanta prostitutes were murdered. Back then, the city was looking for a serial strangler. But at least five individual killers were eventually arrested.

The killings continued, and multiple cases remain unsolved.

“It’s almost as if you had a convention of serial killers who were stranglers, and you had them in Atlanta over many, many years,” Hargrove said.

And Atlanta, according to him, is unlike any other city.

“What is breathtaking is how these murders are quite different than what happens in most of America,” Hargrove said about other cities’ strangulation murders of women.

“About 80 percent of murders of women are solved. Someone is arrested. That’s because most women are killed by intimates – a boyfriend or a husband. Most of the time we get the guy who kills women. In this particular cluster, that hardly ever happened.”

Arntfield, who is also on the Murder Accountability Project board of directors, is a professor of criminology at Ontario’s Western University.

He and his student volunteers, who are part of the Cold Case Society, based in London, Ontario, are working with Atlanta investigators to confirm links between the killings, and to identify possible serial killers who were previously unknown to police.

From 1985 to 2016, there were 97 strangulation victims, and only 22 of the murders had been solved by the time of the report to the FBI for those years.

The Cold Case Society

While most of these murders occurred before Arntfield’s students were born, they have the opportunity to approach the cases in a different way than a conventional detective might.

“The first victim in this series of killings, she was found dead March 1 in her apartment. She had been sexually assaulted and smothered with a pillow,” Brikena Qamili, currently a law student and the Atlanta Cluster Team Leader, said looking up from her research on her laptop. “We suspect that one or two serial killers were probably behind that cluster.”

“That’s a huge break, that someone can identify this guy and had a bad date with him,” Arntfield said in the intimate classroom of a half-dozen volunteer students and part of the Cold Case Society.

01 / 15

With cooperation from the Atlanta Police Department, Arntfield said, they have 44 names of victims.

“Now, we can begin doing victim work-ups on, to determine if there’s a common lifestyle characteristic, a common routine activity, if there’s a common neighborhood,” he said.

The team, however, is perplexed by the strangulation murders of more than a dozen elderly women over a 30-year period.

Much like the prostitute murders, there were arrests, but the killings continued sporadically for decades.

“Thirty years is almost unheard of,” Arntfield said.

And that means, multiple serial killers over three decades.

“We have multiples. Within just the sub-set of the elderly victims, and home-invasion strangulations which of themselves are extraordinarily rare,” he concluded.

We are just getting started on our hunt for Atlanta’s previously unknown serial killers.

For the victims who never got justice.

For the families who never got answers.

For the killers who never got caught.

Do you have a tip or clue that could solve these cold cases? Do you know who the serial killers are? Send 11Alive investigators, Brendan Keefe and Jessica Noll an email at [email protected].

Source Article

The post The Hunt: Atlanta’s hidden serial killers appeared first on Looked At A Few Apartments In West Midtown Atlanta Before Choosing The Best One.

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placestoseein · 7 years

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Places to see in ( Getxo - Spain ) Getxo is a town located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country, in the north of Spain. Getxo is part of Greater Bilbao, Getxo is mostly an affluent residential area, as well as being the third largest municipality of Biscay. Getxo (formerly spelt Guecho) was a parish (elizatea, anteiglesia'), originally a rural area, including a large beach at the mouth of the Estuary of Bilbao, centered on the little fishing village of Algorta. The parish council met at the church of Getxoko Andra Mari (Basque) or Santa María de Getxo (Spanish) (both mean Our Lady of Getxo), not far from the headland called Punta Galea. The town's coat of arms has an oak with two cauldrons chained to its branches and the motto Kaltea Dagianak Bizarra Lepoan (Basque for "Who makes evil, the beard at the back"). With industrialisation in the 19th century, some parts of Getxo evolved into residential areas for the rich bourgeois class. A residential area called Neguri (Basque for "Winter Town") came into being. The village of Algorta grew around the church of San Nicolás and the canalisation of the firth, provided for the colonisation of the beach, where a district called Areeta in Basque and Las Arenas (Spanish for "The Sands") was built. Near Areeta / Las Arenas, on the other side of the road to Bilbao, there grew a working-class district called Erromo, similar to the one that grew near Neguri: Neguri Langile. Finally, in the 20th century, urban development reached the rural areas of Getxoko Andra Mari. Getxo, as well as the surrounding area known as Uribe-Kosta, grew rapidly in the last decades of the 20th century. While in the early 80s the town had only 50,000 inhabitants, it has now more than 83,000. The surrounding towns of Leioa, Berango and Sopelana have also seen multiplied their population in the same period. Getxo is located 14 km (~8 miles) north of Bilbao, in the province and historical Territory of Biscay, in the community of the Basque Country, in the north of Spain. It has a surface of 11.64 km². Getxo borders in the north with Sopelana, in the east with Berango and Lejona, in the south with Portugalete and in the west with the Bay of the Cove.It is possible to travel to Getxo from Bilbao using the city's modern underground Metro system, which has already 6 stations in the town (Areeta, Gobela, Neguri, Aiboa, Algorta and Bideazabal), and another one under construction (Ibarbengoa-Getxo). Getxo is also accessible from Portugalete, by means of both the Vizcaya Bridge transporter bridge and the regular fluvial transport over the Estuary of Bilbao. The ferry Pride of Bilbao reaches Portsmouth from Getxo's neighbour Santurtzi, and Bilbao Airport is also not far away in Loiu. Getxo has some tourist appeal with easy access to several beaches, and to the regional economic capital of Bilbao. It has a yacht harbour, a golf course, and several sports complexes (both public and private). A dynamic, semi-autonomous Department of Culture organises many events on a regular basis, including several international music festivals given over to jazz, the blues and folk. The town has many houses of architectural interest, including the Town Hall and several churches, as well as private dwellings belonging to members of the wealthy industrialist class of Biscay. The Old Harbour district of Algorta and several parks with views across to the bay called the Bilbao Abra are also worth a visit. Alot to see in ( Getxo - Spain ) such as : Andra Mari Church Aixerrota Windmill Prince's castle or La Galea Fort Saint Anne's Chapel (Santa Ana) The hanging bridge o El puente colgante Vizcaya Bridge Estuary of Bilbao Getxo Aquarium Arrigunagako Hondartza Casino de Algorta Gran Casino Nervión ( Getxo - Spain ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting the city of Getxo . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Getxo - Spain Join us for more : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLP2J3yzHO9rZDyzie5Y5Og http://ift.tt/2drFR54 http://ift.tt/2cZihu3 http://ift.tt/2drG48C https://twitter.com/Placestoseein1 http://ift.tt/2cZizAU http://ift.tt/2duaBPE

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weloveonedirection-blog1 · 7 years

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