Apartment Hunting: A (Tentative) Success Story

So, most people crinkled their noses when I said that I'd been in touch with a broker recently. They warned me about fees, they told me not to trust them, and they pointed me toward Craig's List. All good advice, I suppose. But what most people don't ever seem to realize is that I'm not stupid. Also, although I'm a good listener, I don't tend to follow the advice of others—especially when it comes from people who don't really know what they're talking about. Have you ever lived in Manhattan? Have you ever dealt with a broker? If no, I'll listen to you politely and nod and maybe even agree with you... but that doesn't mean you've persuaded me to adopt your opinions as my own. I'm not saying I don't ever receive sound advice; if I didn't, I probably wouldn't be here right now. I'm also not saying that my way is the right way—but that doesn't necessarily mean yours is either.

Now that that's out of the way...

MY BROKER is awesome. I've been in contact with him for about two weeks and he's located on 187th Street in Washington Heights. I'll send a link his way if this all works out. I originally queried him the day I found out about my internship. I asked for a studio and he eventually talked me into a one bedroom when he realized I'd be bringing Matt with me. We went back and forth for two weeks and today he finally showed me some of his places. Matt took the bus this morning, and after a (failed) trial run to my new office, I met him at Port Authority and we were on our way.

We were 20 minutes late, but the broker laughed it off and we went a-house-hunting. Sort of. Apartment hunting... similar enough. Anyway, he showed us one that was at the tippy-top of our price range, just so we could see how much things like views of the river, natural light, and other non-necessities made the price go up. Then, he took us to another one-bedroom that was significantly less. We thought it was okay, but it didn't stick with us. I can't even really tell you what it looked like now. Then, he took us to a building on 181st Street that we really liked.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD looked nice in the daylight, but many people have warned us to go back at night and check it out. (You can see it on Google Maps by clicking here.) I can't find any crime reports that are deterring me from the area, but if anyone sees anything especially relevant, send it my way. I'm open to your advice if it means Matt and I are safe. It seems secure; two locked doors before you get into the lobby. Plus, the entrance is located off the street. The street itself is full of things to do and places to go. (And there's a New York & Company around the block!!) West of the apartment is the Hudson Parkway and southwest (I think) is the George Washington Bridge. North a few blocks is Fort Tryon Park, where we went after we saw the apartment. Pictures posted at the bottom of the entry. Nothing too special—it was another 90° day and neither of us were picture-worthy.

THE APARTMENT we liked had two bedrooms, was on the first floor, and is affordable. The kitchen is bigger than what both Matt and I have now, as is the living room. Both bedrooms are bigger than his bedroom at home, and the biggest one is a decent size. We can take almost all my furniture, except the stuff from the sun porch. But that's okay. We're both excited about the two bedroom deal, even though it wasn't something we ever said we wanted. More space is great, but we figured it'd come at a cost. Had the apartment been on a higher floor and had the landlord not wanted to rent it so quickly, then maybe it would have been more expensive, but everything fell in our favor today and we found a really cool place that we both like.

This is a big step for us; we've always talked about moving out, but we never really did anything to make it a reality. (Hm... notice the theme in my life thus far?) There were a few times in the past where we would go through classifieds in the Valley, but we only ever went to see one place. And that was a dump. We had plans to move to Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco, but the relationship wasn't where it needed to be to make it work—and I think we both thoroughly understand that now. It might be too soon, moving in together out of state after having been broken up for a while and back together for so little of a time. But, then again, it might be the push we need to move the relationship to the next level. Who knows. We're sure as hell going to find out!

In any case, I can't connect to the internet. And my hair needs to be straightened for tomorrow. And then I need to get to sleep so I'm not crabby for my first day of work! Hoping to hear back from the broker sometime tomorrow to find out if Matt and I are one step closer to getting the apartment we liked. Fingers crossed!