Another Zip of Real Estate Adventure

[serinde]

This one I snuck in right after work, because it is two whole blocks away.

Apartment #10, Second Ave. between 69th and 70th: Studio, for $TOOMUCH. (Actually, there were two in the building, but the lower-floor one was smaller, dingier, and looked out directly onto what will shortly be devastation for the Second Ave. Subway; not a contender.) So, a 4th floor walkup, looking out the back of the building; reasonable light, all things considered, not a great view. The main room is only about, mumble, say 10' X 12'. But! The kitchen, the other "half" of that room, was almost as big. As much cabinetry as our house's kitchen, I warrant; plenty of counter space, and a sticking-out-bit (peninsula?) that could either be acounter or a breakfast bar. And the whole thing nicely and recently redone. Very handsome indeed. The bathroom was also generous. The building itself is kind of meh, but you cannot beat the location, no, not with a stick could you beat it. TWO BLOCKS FROM WORK, d'you hear me? And there's lots of Stuff around; groceries, restaurants, coffee shops, you name it.

I think 10 X 12 is about the size of the room I'm in here at nedlnthred's. I seem to be bursting out of it and that's with all my books and the TV and Xbox and DVDs in another room. And I still have a crapload of stuff in sweh's garage (though a lot of it is kitchen-related, sure). I'm prepared to downsize, but that far? OTOH, it's probably a roughly equivalent amount of useable space as yesterday's contender, and it does indeed seem bigger because it's all one room. Wibble.

Comments

[shechameleon.livejournal.com]

I think that downsizing is easier than it seems. You've lived without the stuff in the garage for how long, now? How much of it have you found yourself wishing for? Challenge yourself to get rid of clothes that don't fit, or are out of style, or that need mending that you never quite get to, etc. Get rid of those shoes that never quite fit right. And the books you always mean to read but never do... Just pack all of those things away for a while. Rent a storage unit, if you must. If you don't want 'em after 6 months, ditch 'em.

Location, location, location - it sounds like we might have a winner, between the last two adventures.

[caelfinn.livejournal.com]

I agree with shechameleon on the downsizing. Have you read _Apartment Therapy_? If not, get it from the library, it's got a lot of good info on how to make downsizing less painful.

But also, here's a question. Do you have to downsize as much as you think? Can you put the things you want to keep but don't have room for in your new place in storage (either sweh's garage or mini-storage somewhere in NJ)? This is not going to be the last place you ever live, you may have a bigger place in a couple of years.

In general, when choosing apartments, go with your gut, it's rarely wrong. If you could have any of the ones you've seen for $GOODPRICE, which one would you choose? Quick, don't think too much, what's the first one to pop into your head -- which one makes you happy?

[missionista.livejournal.com]

This sounds interesting. One caveat--it's nice to be close to work, but consider whether this might not be TOO close to work. Everyone else gets a snow day? Well, you're only 2 blocks away, of course you can come in.

So far, of all you've described, #10 & #9 (that was the one in the building that filled you with joy, yes?) sound like the best bets.

[caelfinn.livejournal.com]

Just don't tell them exactly where you live. :). Only the people who print out the paychecks really need to know that.