My new building
So I went up to the new building this morning to pick up my copy of the executed lease. I thought I would also be able to get the keys, but they're still working on the apartment. The manager, Doryne, insisted on showing me the progress so far, however. It looks beautiful, even still in medias res. The hardwood floor has been laid down and there's molding where the floor meets the walls. The cabinets are all NEW NEW NEW, with lovely blond wood panels. They haven't yet installed the appliances--that will happen today--but the super, Andre, showed me my stove (black with a digital instrument panel) and my refrigerator (also black and HUGE--the biggest fridge I ever had, half again as big as the one I have now. When I compare to the tiny one I had in the apartment I had on 47th Street...). I also saw the new vanity sink which has lots of countertop space--my current one is a pedestal sink which looks lovely but has no room at the inn for my tons of makeup.
Doryne so far has been awesome, very proactive and informative. It's great because a big reason I'm moving is my disgust with my current management company. I had a chat with my (soon to be ex-) neighbor across the way--she's moving out next spring for the same reason. We commiserated about the dangling hallway light that blows out at least once a month--every time I call to report it, I tell them they overwired that section of the building, because the lights above my kitchen also blow out regularly, as did my toaster oven (which is now...toast). They don't care. They used to be great--when I lived in the other apartment on 47th Street they tackled problems right away--but they've really declined since then, and I think it was probably for a purpose--to drive out the rent-stabilized tenants so they can improve the apartments and jack up the rent. That's what they've done with several other apartments in the building. I must say, Doryne's aggressive approach in this new place allays my nervousness about being essentially a gentrification pioneer.
When I left the subway this morning on my way to the building, I was checking out the neighborhood. There's a laundry and a dry cleaner close by, plus a couple of cheap grocery stores (and I know the Harlem Fairway is on 134th). I did NOT see any nail places--MUST remember to map those out. Saw a couple of delis, and a $.99 store--woo hoo for cheap housewares! I only saw one restaurant, a Chinese place, in the two blocks from the subway to the bulding, but when I get more time I'm sure I'll find other places (I'm thinking about dinner for my movers tomorrow night). I know the Sugar Hill Bistro is not far away--I definitely want to try that. Oh, and I did see a few other pale-faces like myself but we definitely stand out--as I passed by, one guy called (but nicely, not familiarly/sleazily) "Hola! Rubia!" I almost turned around to smile and say "Si, yo soy una rubia, hola tu mismo!" but I needed to hurry. I'm sure we'll cross paths again.
Doryne so far has been awesome, very proactive and informative. It's great because a big reason I'm moving is my disgust with my current management company. I had a chat with my (soon to be ex-) neighbor across the way--she's moving out next spring for the same reason. We commiserated about the dangling hallway light that blows out at least once a month--every time I call to report it, I tell them they overwired that section of the building, because the lights above my kitchen also blow out regularly, as did my toaster oven (which is now...toast). They don't care. They used to be great--when I lived in the other apartment on 47th Street they tackled problems right away--but they've really declined since then, and I think it was probably for a purpose--to drive out the rent-stabilized tenants so they can improve the apartments and jack up the rent. That's what they've done with several other apartments in the building. I must say, Doryne's aggressive approach in this new place allays my nervousness about being essentially a gentrification pioneer.
When I left the subway this morning on my way to the building, I was checking out the neighborhood. There's a laundry and a dry cleaner close by, plus a couple of cheap grocery stores (and I know the Harlem Fairway is on 134th). I did NOT see any nail places--MUST remember to map those out. Saw a couple of delis, and a $.99 store--woo hoo for cheap housewares! I only saw one restaurant, a Chinese place, in the two blocks from the subway to the bulding, but when I get more time I'm sure I'll find other places (I'm thinking about dinner for my movers tomorrow night). I know the Sugar Hill Bistro is not far away--I definitely want to try that. Oh, and I did see a few other pale-faces like myself but we definitely stand out--as I passed by, one guy called (but nicely, not familiarly/sleazily) "Hola! Rubia!" I almost turned around to smile and say "Si, yo soy una rubia, hola tu mismo!" but I needed to hurry. I'm sure we'll cross paths again.