Our New Apartment
We finally decided on a new apartment! Even though the entire apartment-hunt only lasted about one week, I executed the search with such gusto that almost every (possible) waking moment was consumed with one of the following:
In the end, location is what sold us. Our new apartment complex has the following amazing amenities:
Perhaps the best part of this is that we're paying a full $400 less per month than we were paying at our last apartment in Rhode Island (granted, we're making less money here... but still)!
Our unit is fairly small but is perfect for us and is exactly what we need. Next stop... DECORATING! (I am intentionally ignoring the "moving" part of it because I refuse to acknowledge that step of the process.)
Does anyone have any decorating advice or ideas?!
- visiting apartment websites
- scheduling appointments & visiting apartments
- checking apartment walk scores (if you haven't checked out www.walkscore.com, you should!)
- cross-referencing monthly payments with our budget
- making pro & con lists
- reading apartment ratings and reviews
In the end, location is what sold us. Our new apartment complex has the following amazing amenities:
- Pool
- 24-hour fitness center
- Beautiful community room with a TV, projector/screen, and kitchen
- 24-hour business center with wi-fi access
- Bike garage
- Green lawn area with a gazebo & grills
- A HUGE patio off the kitchen
- All new appliances, floors, carpeting, fixtures, windows and countertops (the guy who just moved out of this unit had been there for a while, but they are updating the unites as they are vacated. In this case, they are renovating the whole apartment just after he leaves/before we move in!)
- On the bus line... so Sean can take an 8-minute bus ride to work, or I can drop him off
- 12 minutes to my job
- One garage space
- Close to shops/restaurants
Our unit is fairly small but is perfect for us and is exactly what we need. Next stop... DECORATING! (I am intentionally ignoring the "moving" part of it because I refuse to acknowledge that step of the process.)
Does anyone have any decorating advice or ideas?!
Hi there! I am SO glad I have found your blog - it is so nice to find bloggers who are in similar life situations. I was pretty bummed that the house thing didn't work out, but like you, we are seeing it as a blessing in disguise! Just this weekend we decided to move to a smaller apartment, too, to save money! We went to renew our current lease and they wanted to charge us $100 more a month, and it was outrageous anyway! We are currently in a 2BR so we are making the plunge to squeeze into a 1BR for the sake of saving $300 a month! Oh, and it looks like we have a lot more in common - I work in higher education, too! I'm hoping to go back to school this summer to start working on my Masters!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Tamara! I so agree with you! I was thrilled to come across your blog and find someone with a similar life situation.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you work in higher ed, too! How funny! I'd love to talk about grad school if you'd ever like to chat about it :)
Please come by often, and congrats on your new apartment!
love it! it's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like all the effort and research you put into your apartment shopping really paid off! Your apartment sounds great! I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun decorating. I suggest an earth-tone color scheme, in light to moderate hues and shades.
ReplyDeleteKayleigh Holton
You've got a very wise decision there. Choosing a place with additional facilities can make things more convenient.
ReplyDeletePatrick Tan
I admire your efforts in finding the right apartment for you. There are a lot of sources where you can actually study the property without visiting it! I also like the perks around your new place. Everything is very convenient!
ReplyDeletePatrick Tan