As many of you know, I need to find a new place to live by September 1. I posted about my existential New York area apartment search here.
Many of you out there have supported me, put comments on my post, emailed me suggestions, sent me mucho good wishes (I got an email from a soldier in the US Navy stationed in Qatar wishing me luck - now that is the beauty of blogging), and linked to my angst-y post.
In that original post, I said that I had looked at an apartment which we New Yorkers call "one of THOSE apartments".
It felt like home the moment I walked in. There is TONS of storage space (an absolute essential, and rarer than the Holy Grail), and it is a place in which I could settle in, really make a home there. Also; the rent is SHOCKINGLY low. I used to pay rents like that when I lived in Chicago (and also, of course, got so much for my money), but rents like that just don't exist in the environs of New York. (In that, I also include Hoboken, where I live now). If I got this apartment, I would be saving almost $300 a month. (If this topic is boring, please indulge me, and realize that saying "How much is your rent?" is not considered a rude question in New York. Also, when New Yorkers visit each other's apartments, we blatantly snoop. Peeking in coat closets, perusing the management of space. "Ohhhh, so that's how YOU handle this situation!")
So anyway: last night I met with the landlady, she liked me, and I gave her a whopping check then and there.
It's MINE!!
It's in Weehawken, famous for being the spot of the duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton (I love that).
My apartment building is literally on the edge of a huge cliff, which drops down next to the Lincoln Tunnel (If I had rappelling equipment, I could get down to the bus-stop in 2 minutes), and so there is an absolutely breathtaking view of all of Manhattan: from the George Washington Bridge all the way down to Battery Park. I step out my front door, and see ALL OF MANHATTAN in one glance.
Stupendous.
I am very happy! This was also the only (or the first) apartment I saw. And when does THAT ever happen?
A fresh start. My own place. A room of one's own.
Posted by sheilaCONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
Posted by: Jayne at July 22, 2003 8:45 AMCongrats Sheila! But now I'm the only blogger in Hoboken :-(
Posted by: Stephen Silver at July 22, 2003 9:56 AMS C O R E ! ! !
Posted by: Jim at July 22, 2003 10:43 AMCongratulations! That's SO SO exciting! I only hope now that the move goes better than the infamous move onto Wayne Street in Chicago, where the frat boys who lived there neglected to PACK ANYTHING before the day of the move. Do you remember how you had to put *everything* into one room?
Also, the thought of you rappeling to catch the bus is really amusing to me.
Posted by: Ann Marie at July 22, 2003 12:31 PM"Here's the thing..." Long pause. "I'm angry."
I also remember you peeking your head out of one of the unpacked rooms, and saying to all the hungover guys, "No, y'know what? We're really pissed off right now."
I also remember you on the phone with the man who shall remain nameless, (but I know that the words "coma contingency" will let you know of whom I speak), trying to set up a date with him, and you asked me for a pen, and I looked into the room filled with ALL OUR STUFF, and you burst out laughing. Member that>
Posted by: red at July 22, 2003 12:34 PMCongrats!
Posted by: Stephen Green at July 22, 2003 12:50 PM