Apartment hunting: what I'll miss
When I was looking at places online, it seemed so easy to find a nice place in my price range in Bellingham. I didn't really think about square footage or details... and last Tuesday's first foray left us with a "maybe" that has lots of advantages (huge sunny balcony, dedicated carport parking space, secluded but convenient-to-campus location, street level entry from one side, from a little-used side street) but is small--I think we'd have to downsize our stuff even more. So back we go tomorrow, to look at two larger places (both of which we were supposed to see last week, but one property manager was sick and the other specific unit had already been taken, but two others have now opened up in the same place).
Things I am not compromising on: in-unit laundry (which we have now) and a balcony or other outdoor space access (which is the one thing I miss most about having a house, and lack in our current space). I even got an Emotional Support Animal certification for Nala, so I could bring her anywhere, even if pets are not allowed, because I am definitely not giving her up.
And most places I'm looking at have a reserved parking space or at least a lot/garage for residents only, so no more parking roulette and circling the block three times at night!
But what I will miss:
- Being close walking distance to a grocery store. None of the places I've gone to see/am going to see are closer than a 15-20 minute walk to a grocery. That will be hard after 24 years of being within a 10 minute walk of 2-4 stores.
- Little retail pockets in general. It seems like there's just the Fairhaven business district (generally where I'm looking) and actual downtown Bellingham. I guess the neighborhood pockets are farther out, not walking distance from campus. If that weren't a requirement for Rose, I think we could find everything we want in our price range. But she doesn't even really want to take the bus.
- The huge picture window in my living room with the trees in front, that make me feel like I live in a treehouse in the middle of the city.
- A window in the bathroom. Again, something I've had for 24 years. I like having natural light in the bathroom most of the day, not having to turn on the light at night, and having an open window for fresh air.
Hopefully, being able to have a space to sit outside and grow a few herbs and vegetables will make up for some of the losses. And we should be close to the Arboretum, which I haven't explored at all but which should make for some pleasant walks to help me stay fit. I will just have to get used to driving to the amazing co-op, to Trader Joe's, and possibly also the Haggen (upscale Safeway). And maybe we'll like it there enough for me to buy a house in a year or two, and then I can hopefully afford something in the neighborhood near the co-op, which I liked very much when we looked at a place there last week (which, again, was much too small for us).
Things I am not compromising on: in-unit laundry (which we have now) and a balcony or other outdoor space access (which is the one thing I miss most about having a house, and lack in our current space). I even got an Emotional Support Animal certification for Nala, so I could bring her anywhere, even if pets are not allowed, because I am definitely not giving her up.
And most places I'm looking at have a reserved parking space or at least a lot/garage for residents only, so no more parking roulette and circling the block three times at night!
But what I will miss:
- Being close walking distance to a grocery store. None of the places I've gone to see/am going to see are closer than a 15-20 minute walk to a grocery. That will be hard after 24 years of being within a 10 minute walk of 2-4 stores.
- Little retail pockets in general. It seems like there's just the Fairhaven business district (generally where I'm looking) and actual downtown Bellingham. I guess the neighborhood pockets are farther out, not walking distance from campus. If that weren't a requirement for Rose, I think we could find everything we want in our price range. But she doesn't even really want to take the bus.
- The huge picture window in my living room with the trees in front, that make me feel like I live in a treehouse in the middle of the city.
- A window in the bathroom. Again, something I've had for 24 years. I like having natural light in the bathroom most of the day, not having to turn on the light at night, and having an open window for fresh air.
Hopefully, being able to have a space to sit outside and grow a few herbs and vegetables will make up for some of the losses. And we should be close to the Arboretum, which I haven't explored at all but which should make for some pleasant walks to help me stay fit. I will just have to get used to driving to the amazing co-op, to Trader Joe's, and possibly also the Haggen (upscale Safeway). And maybe we'll like it there enough for me to buy a house in a year or two, and then I can hopefully afford something in the neighborhood near the co-op, which I liked very much when we looked at a place there last week (which, again, was much too small for us).