Apartment Update

Today I went and looked at an apartment. For those who are familiar with Mott Haven, it is on 138th, between Brook and Willis, a block and a half from the 6 train. This apartment was one of the first ones I was interested in and I found it last March on Craig's List. I walked by it last week when I was looking at another apartment and it had a sign on the door advertising a 1 bedroom and a studio. I called and it was the same guy from before. He told me basically the same things I already knew. The apartment was $1200. I said I could only pay $1000 and asked if it was negotiable and he said not really. I didn't feel like I was getting anywhere, so I said thanks, bye. Then I started thinking about it and thought of a few more questions to ask. I called back yesterday and scheduled an appointment to see it today. He couldn't show it to me, but I met the super and he showed me the 1 bedroom and the studio. First we went to the 1 bedroom which was on the 4th floor (in a walk up, but no big deal). It looked just like the pictures. The building was really nice and the super kept apologizing for the mess from the snow that people tracked in, but it was super clean and I didn't even notice a mess. The apartment is called a "penthouse apartment". It is two floors and the bottom floor consists of the kitchen, living area, bathroom and closet. When you first walk in, the kitchen is on the left and it is just in the corner and open to the rest of the room. It was nice and had lots of cabinet space. It had new appliances also. The bathroom was next to the kitchen- you kinda make a U-turn from the door. The closet was on the right when you walk in and the rest was the living area. It was pretty big for New York standards. My favorite part about this apartment is the spiral staircase that leads to the second floor. It is on the left, past the kitchen and has shelving on the bottom part of the stairs. I went upstairs and discovered that the staircase is extremely narrow. As I am walking up, I am trying to figure out if you could fit a queen size mattress up and around these stairs. I reach the second floor and look at the bedroom. I was stunned. It was nothing like I imagined. There were not pictures of the upstairs, so I had my own idea of what it would look like. I am at the top of the stairs and I could take maybe 5 steps until I got to the opposite wall. Then I could turn and take about 12. Then I could take a few more. It was an upside down L shape. It was big enough on the smaller part of the L for a twin bed. I'm not sure if you could squeeze a queen in there or not. The bigger part of the L may be big enough, but I wouldn't go buy a bed until I did some accurate measuring. If it did fit, there would be some space on the little L for a bedside table or something, but you wouldn't want to put something you needed easy access to because you would have to crawl over the bed to get to it. I realize this probably doesn't make any sense, but I am trying to let you get an idea of what I saw. Also upstairs there was a door in the corner close to the stairs that led to a small terrace. This is my second favorite part. It's not quite a rooftop, but it is close enough. There is room for a couple chairs, maybe even a small fire pit. :)

I also went ahead and looked at the studio, which was listed at $975 I think. It was the exact same layout as the bottom of the 1 bedroom, just without the staircase. It was a good size studio, but I just do not want to live in a studio. I was thinking about it most of the evening and I came to the conclusion that it would be fine if I was in school and trying to save money or something. I feel like a studio isn't a grown up apartment and I really want a grown up apartment. I want to have people over, but not feel like people are all over my bedroom. That's just a little weird. I also want a queen bed because that is a grown up bed. I started to consider getting an Aerobed so I could get it up the stairs, but those are $300, so I feel like if I'm going to spend that much on a blow up bed, I should just get a real one. I am thinking into details way too much, because right now I can't even afford this apartment. I am planning on calling him on Monday and letting him know that I loved it and would move in right away if the rent was $1000. I am praying for a understanding, sympathetic Mr. Chung who will just want to get someone in the apartment. Please join me.

Yesterday I mentioned I went to Bed Bath and Beyond and I bought an entire shower ensemble. I got home today and realized that this apartment I saw today has sliding glass doors and I wouldn't need any of that. I have drawn 2 conclusions. 1) This is a sign that this isn't the apartment for me, because I need an apartment where I can use my new shower curtain. 2) God is just being funny and teaching me a lesson about my shopping habits. I like to think it is the second one. I'm not too attached to the shower curtain. It was just a great deal and I figured I would need it eventually.

Considering my apartment updates since May, this one is the biggest yet. Maybe I am getting close. I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high. I will keep you updated.