I’m supposed to fly to San Diego and go apartment hunting on Tuesday. I was first given a list of our priorities for specific amenities we can’t live without, a maximum rent amount, and a list of very swanky areas to look in. Our conversations have gone something like this lately:
Chris: *slams phone down in frustration* “That place I just called falsely advertised the washer/dryer in each unit! I’m swearing off every single property with the name ______!!!”
Candy: makes note to scratch off every single property with the name _____.
Chris: “So and so told me _________ (certain area of San Diego) is really bad. Don’t look for any apartments in that area.”
Candy: makes note to scratch off every single property in said area.
Chris: “I heard _________ (certain area of San Diego) is also really bad. Don’t look for any apartments in that area.”
Candy: makes note to scratch off every single property in said area.
Chris: “So and so lives in _________ (certain area of San Diego) but I saw what might’ve looked like a dilapidated building there, it was dark, so I wasn’t sure, but swear off that entire area as well. And anything within a 50 mile radius of the possibly dilapidated building.”
Candy: completely ignores suggestion.
Chris: “I refuse to drive more than _________ (said miles) to work each day.”
Candy: draws even smaller circle around workplace.
Chris: “Aughhhhh!!!! aljelajfalwk ajgoseji aweoarjoejipjgafhgahd aslei jig fpoe jksjei lsia jils !!!!!!
*parts of dialogue were exaggerated for effect.
I’m left with very, VERY few options now. All due to overreactions, misinformation, hype or hearsay. And rather than argue, I’ve very grudgingly volunteered to go to San Diego myself to look at said areas and start the search for real. I can understand my husband’s frustrations, but I really want this to be a happy moving experience. Not one where we feel unsure about our decisions on where to live. If it gives him piece of mind, and gives me PEACE, then I will search every nook and cranny of San Diego until they ban me from that city for being a nuisance. In which case, our apartment problem will be over with.
Oh, and while I’m looking at apartments, I’ll make sure to throw in some restaurant reviews for your patience for putting up with me.
This is by far my least favorite part of moving. Trying to find a place to make your home and not knowing anything about the area probably stresses me out the most when we move. It’s wonderful you’re going to see it first hand because you definitely can’t trust pictures you see on apartment websites! I hope you have a wonderful and fruitful trip. :o)
April – It’s tough when 2 people have to be happy about their choices. While I can live without a garage or a washer/dryer in the apartment, my husband can’t. If it were up to me, I’d find a place with a month to month lease, and live there until we found a place we liked. He prefers finding the ideal place NOW, so we are settled. I can understand that. And if it doesn’t stress me out to go and look for that ideal place, then I’ll do it as he ties up loose ends here. If I search for a week and find nothing, then I might start stressing out…
I really love the idea of a month to month rental when moving to a new area. It gives you time to get the lay of the land, find the areas you like and also scout out rental listings that may not be listed online or with a company (say, just a sign out front, etc). If we didn’t have so much crap (2 people shouldn’t have as much as we do, I’m working on it) we might do that when we move. As it is the military only pays the movers to get it done in one shot and we’d be responsible for moving from a temp. place to a perm. and that keeps me from doing it. I like to get there and get settled in ASAP. LOL I’m so excited for you two and I have a good feeling about this for you. It’s really exciting! Just remember.. deep breaths.. keep calm and carry on. If I don’t use that as my mantra I’d pass out. hehe
I really wish the best of luck to you! We came down for a weekend before we moved to NC to look at apartments and it really was the best idea ever. I don’t know what Chris’ thoughts are on non-complexes, but craigslist might be a good place to look for apartments too. I’m so excited for you!!! :)
April – That’s the reason we aren’t doing a month to month either. The company will pay for the first move…but not the second. So it has to be done in one shot. I almost passed out when he suggested I look at apartments without a washer/dryer in unit now. After saying we absolutely need a washer/dryer in unit. I JUST THREW ALL THOSE LISTS OUT!!!!! Deep breaths….But I have around 10 apartments I’m planning to visit now, so hopefully one works out. In fact, it’d be really great if the first apartment I visit is the one I choose, then I can use the remainder of my visit as a vacation by the beach.
Irish Pirate – Craigslist is my b*tch.:P Most of them are complexes that are listed. We aren’t having a problem finding apartments online, the stressful thing is figuring out all the hidden fees, false advertising, and actually visiting the apartments to see if it really looks as good as the photos. Hopefully at the end of the week, things will be clearer. Between Chris and I, we’ve moved a combined 16 times in our lifetime (I would’ve thought we’d have it down to a science now :P )
Best of luck with the apartment search… Hopefully you will get settled in soon!
I am so excited for you! Good luck apartment hunting!
Good luck Candy !
candy ye sooo lucky!! one of my dream is to see San Diego one day! still haven’t got the chance
Thanks for all the luck everyone!!!