Right now, my husband and I live in a ground floor apartment that has lots of space, but is quirky and old. I suppose if I were a realtor the way I would spin it when trying to sell it is to say that “it’s got character.” I actually lived in this apartment before I got married as well. It was my first post college pad, and first I lived with Cinderslut, and then with Sleeping Booty. There are plenty of good memories from this place, but let me tell you–I am ready to move.
Pretty much the only reason my husband and I decided to stay in this apartment is because of how cheap it was. We did not want to spend a bunch of money right before our wedding on putting down a security deposit, and first and last months rent. We had enough other things we were spending money on at the time. And so we stayed. I don’t want to be completely negative and say it’s been awful, but especially over the last few months there have been several things that have made me very impatient for August when our lease will be up.
First of all, the place is not tall enough for my husband. Being on the ground floor means low ceilings. Now my husband is not insanely tall but at 6’3, his head touches the ceiling in the bathroom which is a few steps higher than the rest of the apartment.
Second, there is only a tiny shower stall in the bathroom, and no tub. Now, when we first moved in, I didn’t really care about this. But after two years of bending around at awkward angles trying to shave my legs because there is no tub edge to rest them on–I am so over it. Also, I am not hugely into baths, but not even having the option of taking a bath makes me sad. No bubbles and relaxation for me.
Third, the house is old, and in the last six months it has begun to exact its revenge on us. Mainly in the form of leaks. Back in January the people in the apartment above us had a plumbing issue, which resulted in toilet water streaming in through our light fixtures and soaking everything in the bathroom. It took a month for them to complete all the repairs for our bathroom ceiling. Then last night we got in bed and realized that half of our bed was wet and more water had leaked down through the heating vent above our bed. We had to sleep in our own guest room (thankfully we have a guest room). Now the owner seems like he is trying to renovate the place because for the past week we’ve had workers here starting to paint the outside of the house and obnoxiously loud carpenters talking outside our window at 7am. However I am worried at the skill level of said carpenters because when I overheard them talking about how they would go about accomplishing their projects, one of them said “you know when someone sees the work we did I just want them to be like, woah those guys were like ninja carpenters.” Needless to say they don’t inspire much confidence.
The point is, this apartment has been (mostly) good to us, but it is time to move on. Its still a few months away, but I’m already dreaming about taking a bubble bath in my beautiful new apartment with vaulted ceilings.
I know too well how you feel. I have moved every year post college for the sole reason of finding a place I’m comfortable living in. My last apartment was a gem, but my fiancé, my two dogs, and I outgrew it pretty quickly. The apartment we have now has too many issues to list. Needless to say, we are ready for moving day!
Sounds like I got out just in time! Seriously good memories there in that little place. ALSO. Dishwasher. Make sure your next apartment has one. It makes all the difference!
your future guest room has my name written all over it!