Apartment hunting

I am not a fan of hunting for apartments. I never have been. Of course, I've never been that picky before. Prior to moving out here, an apartment was really just a place to sleep and occasionally cook meals. At Rutgers, I'd be lucky to spend 6 hours a night at my own place between classes, shows and schoolwork.

But slowly priorities change and now I'm looking for something more to call home. Especially now with Ross. However, something always creeps in and makes finding that ideal setting more and more difficult.

Price is always a concern. I found my current place at a steal. But then again, at the time I was a single woman looking for a room, not a couple looking for an at least semi-private apartment. Ross and I have found a few great one bedrooms and studios....

But....

Two things have been working against us. Property goes fast here. Immediate occupancy. I'm paid up with my roommate through the end of Decemeber...and I have no security deposit coming back. Having paid December's rent it becomes difficult to come up with next months rent plus a security deposit on the spot to secure anything. And why would a landlord wait 2 weeks when other viable tenants already have cash on hand?

The other caveat is the length of lease. At times I find myself kicking myself for my rash email about summer employment. That new contract effectively shortens the amount of time we will be on the island to 4 1/2 to 5 months tops. Most property managers want a year lease. A few will go with six months. Even fewer will haggle lower than that. So far the one we did find willing to shorten his terms wanted first month and security up front...again, unlikely to happen on the spot...

So we keep looking. At least it is slightly easier to look with another person. And I'm sure my anxiety about locating a place is driving Ross nuts. Here I go again, forever stressing out about practically nothing.

Knock on wood, we found someone to sublet the four months from. It means potentially moving Christmas Eve, but it still means moving. Fingers crossed.

And suppose this one does fall through? At least we have three more weeks to find something...