mission: domicile

Our lease expires at the end of August, and Seth and I have decided not to renew it. We love our apartment (although he loves it more than I do, truth be told), and our neighborhood. There are lots of things we do NOT love, however, like our trashy neighbors, noise at night during the week, the crime after dark, and most importantly, the price. For the amount we pay, we should be able to find something a touch nicer. Or we could pay less for something just as nice in a different, safer, quieter neighborhood.

It's been easier said than done, so far. I've been looking off and on for the last few weeks and get email updates from a few different online search sites. Seth and I checked out one place last weekend that was actually really great. It's right outside the city on the island where Seth works (a place that I love love love because it feels like a small town, with lots of shops and schools and nature). The apartment was in this huge sprawling complex with hiking trails and tennis courts and gorgeous views of the lake. We got to ride in golf carts to go on the tour! It felt a lot like a summer camp. It's pretty much what we need, but wouldn't save us a lot of money (but it sure is pretty). Since we have a little while to decide and this place has lots of openings in the summer, we're going to keep looking. Here's my dream list:

Necessities:

1-2 bedrooms (no studios)

Less than what we pay now (not negotiable, unfortunately)

Laundry on-site (I do not schlep my undies more than one flight of stairs)

Parking on-site or nearby

Within city limits (exception: in the neighborhood right outside the city where Seth works)

Safe

Preferences:

Pet-friendly (small dog!)

Laundry in-UNIT (please, lord)

New/renovated kitchen (garbage disposal and/or dishwasher!)

Way way less than what we pay now (please?)

Stuff to do

Not right on a crazy traffic street

Close enough that neither of us has a hellish commute

I definitely have preferences for certain neighborhoods, even though I may not have realized it when I started searching. But paying $800 (or so) for a place next to a lake/park/zoo/sushi house is different than paying $800 next to factories and interstates. Also, what's the deal with places asking for first AND last month AND a deposit? That's not going to happen. Not to mention, what's the deal with places who are cat-friendly, but not small dog friendly? Aren't cats technically just as messy since they stay inside ALL day and shed, eat and pee? And why do people post listings if they aren't going to reply when people call about them? Hello, we're awesome tenants. Please call me back.

Anyway, it's been fun so far, and I'm excited about exploring a new part of the city. We're checking out another open house this afternoon, and hopefully it doesn't suck.