> attachment renting
We’ve begun an apartment search, an apartment vision quest. It will likely be a long process, as we aren’t really looking to move until September or so. It’s tricky because so far the rental agents seem to say, “Great! You can move in next week!” So it’s a bit of a timing dance. Phase 1 is mostly about getting an idea of what’s out there.
The small handful of places we’ve seen so far makes our current place seem pretty good. Our building is clean, well-lit, not-too-bad smelling, and our apartment has decent finishing and an actual living room and a hallway in which you can stretch your arms out fully in both directions. So you can see our bar is high.
We looked at a place with a great view of the Former French Concession–no other tall buildings around–the apartment was alright, but the building itself left things to be desired. A dog had just pooped near the elevator. I’m sure that doesn’t happen all the time but it was a bad first impression left by tower number 3. The elevator had sticky goo running down one wall, and the halls outside the apartments were dark–which just makes you suspicious. We couldn’t see for sure, but the main hall window seemed to open to the trash chute.
Our aims with this possible to move:
> have our own place (I currently live with three dudes)
> move a little closer to Sean’s work, which is generally more central
> move more into the quiet tree-lined streets area, where more places and people are within walking distance, as opposed to subway-ride distance
> more room for art or maybe even for shiatsu!
> continue to avoid rats and cockroaches (I just knocked on wood very loudly)
However, we don’t hate our neighborhood now. It’s not terribly out of the way, our building is tucked back in a quiet nook of the neighborhood, and as I mentioned, the building is in good shape. I love our building guys, and we meet a lot of cute puppies on the elevator.
Though I like the idea of a possible move, I simultaneously feel a twinge of nostalgia for this place when I think about leaving. This is completely silly, as I am probably IN this place as I feel the waves-of-old wash over me. (How quickly we become attached.) I’ve gotten used to things here. I finally know where to make a copy, get tree-free toilet paper, buy stamps, and get a good deal on sparkly water. I’ve accomplished a lot here in Building 2! Who knows, maybe we’ll stay near Shanghai Tiyuguan (Stadium) in the end. It would improve my chances of becoming a rock climbing champion.
Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion! (In several months.)
two fat cats outside a not-totally-awesome place
