Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Change is the only Constant.  I'm pretty sure I read that on a Successory while leafing through Skymall.  I apologize, I don't know the original source, especially because he or she probably offers many other deep words of wisdom.  (It's too serious to be Jack Handy, the provider of most of my Deep Thoughts.)  Change can be very exciting, lending itself to improvements - but it also lends itself to a lot of anticipation, chaos and ambiguity.

Change can also lead to dollars! Badum Ching!

New babies, new jobs, new romances, and in my case, a new apartment.  On the priority scale, a new apartment is pretty low.  Especially if you consider comparing floorplans, window moldings and wainscoting fun.  Basically, I was anticipating my personal episode of House Hunters mixed with a little Selling New York.  (Having lived in New York City, I feel like I can now give a huge eye roll when people in Minnesota complain that the house doesn't have a "bonus room".) Of course, I have been looking at apartments that are lucky to have 500 square feet, but with the original moldings and easy access to an express train, it must be worth the $5,000.  (I'm exaggerating, $5,000 would get you at least 650 square feet.)

Open floor plan/ bonus room!

Either way, apartments in Manhattan are ridiculous, and I do hope that the bubble bursts soon. Manhattan would lose character if teachers, service workers, and artists are all pushed to the limits of the outer boroughs. However, in the spirit of keeping this light, I will step off my soap box promoting the importance of affordable housing.

When we moved to New York, we ended up in a great apartment in a neighborhood I call Epcot New York.  It is new, well maintained, and everyone points using two fingers. Just kidding about that last one, it is NYC after all.  Unfortunately, Epcot has become really popular, even without Figment.* Even one of the Real Housewives lives here! (Sadly, I have not run into her.) When it came time to renew our lease, the rent was so high it would make anyone blush, and me cry.  (Unless you live in the West Village, but then you get charm, great restaurants and throngs of Sex and the City tours at your doorstep.) Thus our search began.

Isle of Dreams & Oligarchs

Thank Goodness for the internet.  (Not going to lie, I have dedicated a yoga practice to the internet and the ease it has brought into my life.)  My addiction to Streeteasy.com began, as my husband and I decided to trade in our great view and reliable hot water tap to venture into the world of pre-war apartments.  While constantly refreshing the web page to find a nice pet-friendly one bedroom within a fifteen by three block area, I became obsessed.  (I have my reasons for refusing to live below 72nd street, both stemming from working in the service industry and being under 70 years old.)

The craziest part of the apartment search is the quick turn around.  There is a call for instant action as soon as you find an apartment that fits at least one of your needs.  (None of this "let's go to the park and deliberate" BS that the House Hunters get.)  On Monday, I left my house armed with tax returns, bank statements, proof of current residence, and a checkbook.  Normally, I am pretty casual with my belongings, but for once I clung to my purse like a tourist, even in the elevator where I currently live. The thought of experiencing one of the Freecreditreport.com musical tragedies was racing through my mind.  No hacker necessary, I just needed a savvy pickpocket and I'd be wearing a pirate suit hawking shrimp at Bubba Gump's in Times Square.

The real question is: Who is this?

After seeing an apartment with hallway roaches, another one that permanently smelled of cat urine, an apartment that charged $1000 just to move in, and an apartment that had technically already been rented, I found a place that will hopefully be a good home to my husband, myself and our furbaby.

Home is where the Hobbes is.
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Fingers crossed that by trading modern amenities, as in a speedy elevator, to an elevator that is manually run by a human, will be worth it for the change of scenery viewed through windows encased with vintage molding.  If not, then bring it on again next year, I almost have this apartment thing down!

HOORAY!!!!!

*I won't include a picture of Figment because I don't want to be sued by Disney.