Articles Written By: The Batch Yard Team

Bike to Boston from The Batch Yard

Date: September 25, 2014 Author: The Batch Yard Team

Boston has experienced a major bike boom in the last several years with people taking to two wheels for commuting, running errands, exercising and leisure activities. New bike lanes are popping up all the time, making it easier than ever to become a city cyclist. And with easy access to Boston, Batch Yard residents will find getting around by bike a cinch.

The Batch Yard is located about three-and-a-half miles, or about 20 minutes by bike, from the city center. This short route is perfect for commuting into the city for work. Biking to the office is a great way to squeeze in some exercise and get fresh air, plus you can avoid sitting in traffic, looking for parking or cramming onto the T.

Boston is a very bike-friendly city since its mostly flat and the increase in cyclists means that roads are better suited to bikes than they were just a few years ago. The increased awareness of cyclists and their rights means drivers are getting better at sharing the roads.

In addition to biking to work, Batch Yard residents can run errands to nearby shops or head out for a night on the town on two wheels. Boston’s small size means nothing is really too far away to bike to, including shopping areas, restaurants and bars and places to relax, like parks.

One of the best biking destinations in the Boston area is the Minuteman Bikeway. This 10-mile-long paved path takes riders through Cambridge, Arlington and Lexington before ending in Bedford. It’s the perfect place to take a morning or afternoon ride, stopping in each town along the way. And with cooler temperatures rolling in fall is the season to experience all the Minuteman has to offer cyclists.

Whether you’re commuting to work or just looking to enjoy a leisurely ride, The Batch Yard’s proximity to Boston and the area’s bike-friendliness make it the perfect place to be a city cyclist.

Image: Flickr

Go Green at These Eco-Friendly Apartments

Date: September 18, 2014 Author: The Batch Yard Team

One of the factors you may consider when looking for a place to live is whether the apartment or building has any eco-friendly features. By living in a green home, you’ll not only tread more lightly on earth, but you’ll likely save money too. And new technology means you don’t have to give up any modern amenities to live green at The Batch Yard.

The eco-friendly focus at these apartments near Boston begins right with the location and construction of the building. Housed in a former candy factory, the builders of The Batch Yard reused this historic building instead of tearing it down. That reduced waste and created a unique property that’s truly unlike anything else you’ll find anywhere!

In addition to the green construction of the building itself, the apartments at The Batch Yard have several eco-friendly features. Each is equipped with a Nest thermostat that learns your habits and programs itself to use less energy when you’re not around. Using the Next can save you 20% on your heating and cooling bills—and that means you’re doing your part to save the environment too.

One of the best parts of living in an eco-friendly apartment is using brand new Energy Star appliances. Using an Energy Star washer/dryer can save you a combined $200 per year on your energy bill and dramatically reduce the amount of water used to clean clothes. Energy Star refrigerators use about 20% less energy than standard models and can save you hundreds of dollars on your energy bill. Non-Energy Star dishwashers waste about 10 gallons of water per cycle and cost about $40 more per year to operate. Another way The Batch Yard aims to reduce water waste is by installing dual flush toilets in every unit.

The best of having an eco-friendly apartment isn’t just that you’ll save you money, it’s that you’ll be helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions to make the world a greener place! Schedule your appointment today to tour these green apartments that are now leasing.

Image: Flickr

Foodies Flock to 3 Local Mexican Restaurants

Date: September 11, 2014 Author: The Batch Yard Team

Boston has become a foodie haven during the last few years and living in an apartment so close to the city means The Batch Yard residents are perfectly situated to take advantage of all these great restaurants. You can eat cuisine from around the world in the Boston area, but nearby Somerville is home to some of the best Mexican around.

Opened a few years ago, The Painted Burro has quickly become a major destination restaurant for those in the know. It’s located in hip Davis Square, just a few miles from The Batch Yard, and takes reservations for larger parties.

The Painted Burro is known regionally for its wide selection of tequilas, mezcals and aged rums—it stocks more 100 bottles of those spirits, which it serves straight up and in craft cocktails. Foodies flock to The Painted Burro for its speciality margaritas, which come in flavors as diverse as Strawberry Rhubarb, Cucumber and Spicy El Diablo (jalapeno infused tequila).

The Painted Burro serves a variety of delicious tacos that you can mix and match, combining them to create a custom plate. Diners can also order larger entrees like carne asada, enchiladas and tortas. The Painted Burro serves brunch featuring special Mexican dishes and drinks on Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

For a more casual Mexican dining experience, check out the much-lauded Taco Loco in East Somerville. Food-lovers travel from around the area to this tiny storefront to dine on authentic tacos, pupusas and burritos. Taco Loco isn’t fancy, but it’s fresh and with tacos selling for only $2.25, you can fill up for less!

With a new location just opened at Assembly Row in Somerville, Papagayo offers Mexican food with an American, and specifically New England, flair. From guacamole with lobster to Island Creek Oysters to Papagayo’s Mexican take on fish and chips and burgers, this isn’t your typical taqueria. Wash it all down with one of the restaurant’s special margaritas or other tequila cocktails.

Whether you’re looking for high-end Mexican, the most authentic tacos in town or Mexican with a New England twist, you’ll find what you’re looking for near your Boston-area apartment.

Image: Flickr