... Small Update About Big Changes ...
I've neglected writing in my LJ so much. I shouldn't do that, but can't help it. Anyway, Faye asked what was going on with me, and instead of replying to her and repeating it to everyone, thought I would write an update here! Need to be quick, though, as having friends over for dinner tonight, and my house is still in the throes of chaos (well, to me "chaos" is not what other people tend to think of as "chaos", as Peter is naturally neat and tidy [ thank the gods! ] so our house isn't messy, just my stuff needs putting away ;) )
Anyway, a few weeks ago, our rental agent informed us that our landlord wants to go from the annual (12 month) contract, to a "1 month rolling" contract, as he just got married and wants to "assess his assets" (lol) and such. Understandable, but this set off alarm bells in our minds - and everyone else we have told, they have said the same thing we thought - find a new place to live. The agent tried to reassure us that this is "normal" and "doesn't mean anything", but we no longer feel secure, especially being that there is no new "contract" for us to sign, outlining and detailing what the new terms are, just a letter from our agent informing us the situation has changed. We do not feel comfortable with this, so immediately set out on a search for a new place, preferably closer to where Peter works. We love the area (and our place) where we are currently, but getting closer to his work would be a good idea.
I went online to see what I could find, and found a "semi-detached" bungalow (shares a wall with another house) in the town where Peter works, for the right price. We set up an appt to view it, but a few days before our appt, drove by the house, and decided to cancel our appt straight away, as it was in the most terrifying neighborhood. There was a police car patrolling the street, and the houses around there looked in bad shape. Older boys on bmx's riding through yards, and the like. (Sorry, we are snobs, I suppose, and after living in this very "rich" neighborhood, that would be going the opposite extreme.)
Next on the list was a very cute bungalow near where we are, but more near town centre - but that was snatched up before we could even have a chance to view it.
Then I found a flat, about 10 min walk away from Peter's office. We set up an appt to view it this past Saturday, and fell in love with it. It is about 2 years old, and very modern and "trendy" and very "us." http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-23385391.html The photos do not do it justice. We picked up the contracts on Monday and they are in the middle of doing our reference checks now. It isn't available until the end of November, which works out for us, as we had to give our current agent 1 months notice. Which we have done - more than 1 months. And they have been rude and snotty and obstructive since we told them we are leaving. We have been here 3 years now, been nothing but perfect and loyal tenants, and their treatment of us is abhorrent. (That's what we get for renting in an upscale area!) Good f*ck*ng riddance!
But, we are so excited! And this also means we get to purchase a new sofa (our current one came with the place, and is the most awful and uncomfortable thing on the planet!). We went to a sofa store, and out of the whole store, only liked one: http://www.dfs.co.uk/sofas/corner-sofas/paige/191/2955/0 We love love love the idea and look of the corner sofa (and that is what the people living there now currently have in the place), however, our heads are telling us to purchase 2 two-seaters instead, for more "future furniture flexibility". Since we are only renting, and know that the corner will work in there, what about when we move/buy a place? IE: if we bought a house like his mum and dad's, a corner sofa really wouldn't work in their house. And I've had a sectional/corner sofa before, and I know it can be the biggest pain in the tuckus ever. So I know the smart and intelligent thing to do is to buy the two small ones - but ahhh, the look the corner is fun! and trendy! *sigh* Also, we are debating on the color scheme, as we LOOOOVE the look of the slate with the white, but know that having a white sofa would be a HUGE mistake of epic proportions. So, probably keep the slate (or another dark color) and go with a cream or light grey or something on the top, and accent it with colorful cushions.
So of course, now begins the "Great Purge", as there is no way all of my stuff is going to fit in the very cool flat. I have a lot of stuff! lol
So anyway, that is the big news from this end! Also, I received a lovely postcard from SirPat and Jirka! Thanks!!!! :D
I really must go, as I still have to wash counters in my kitchen and take a shower and start on dinner! :)
Anyway, a few weeks ago, our rental agent informed us that our landlord wants to go from the annual (12 month) contract, to a "1 month rolling" contract, as he just got married and wants to "assess his assets" (lol) and such. Understandable, but this set off alarm bells in our minds - and everyone else we have told, they have said the same thing we thought - find a new place to live. The agent tried to reassure us that this is "normal" and "doesn't mean anything", but we no longer feel secure, especially being that there is no new "contract" for us to sign, outlining and detailing what the new terms are, just a letter from our agent informing us the situation has changed. We do not feel comfortable with this, so immediately set out on a search for a new place, preferably closer to where Peter works. We love the area (and our place) where we are currently, but getting closer to his work would be a good idea.
I went online to see what I could find, and found a "semi-detached" bungalow (shares a wall with another house) in the town where Peter works, for the right price. We set up an appt to view it, but a few days before our appt, drove by the house, and decided to cancel our appt straight away, as it was in the most terrifying neighborhood. There was a police car patrolling the street, and the houses around there looked in bad shape. Older boys on bmx's riding through yards, and the like. (Sorry, we are snobs, I suppose, and after living in this very "rich" neighborhood, that would be going the opposite extreme.)
Next on the list was a very cute bungalow near where we are, but more near town centre - but that was snatched up before we could even have a chance to view it.
Then I found a flat, about 10 min walk away from Peter's office. We set up an appt to view it this past Saturday, and fell in love with it. It is about 2 years old, and very modern and "trendy" and very "us." http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-23385391.html The photos do not do it justice. We picked up the contracts on Monday and they are in the middle of doing our reference checks now. It isn't available until the end of November, which works out for us, as we had to give our current agent 1 months notice. Which we have done - more than 1 months. And they have been rude and snotty and obstructive since we told them we are leaving. We have been here 3 years now, been nothing but perfect and loyal tenants, and their treatment of us is abhorrent. (That's what we get for renting in an upscale area!) Good f*ck*ng riddance!
But, we are so excited! And this also means we get to purchase a new sofa (our current one came with the place, and is the most awful and uncomfortable thing on the planet!). We went to a sofa store, and out of the whole store, only liked one: http://www.dfs.co.uk/sofas/corner-sofas/paige/191/2955/0 We love love love the idea and look of the corner sofa (and that is what the people living there now currently have in the place), however, our heads are telling us to purchase 2 two-seaters instead, for more "future furniture flexibility". Since we are only renting, and know that the corner will work in there, what about when we move/buy a place? IE: if we bought a house like his mum and dad's, a corner sofa really wouldn't work in their house. And I've had a sectional/corner sofa before, and I know it can be the biggest pain in the tuckus ever. So I know the smart and intelligent thing to do is to buy the two small ones - but ahhh, the look the corner is fun! and trendy! *sigh* Also, we are debating on the color scheme, as we LOOOOVE the look of the slate with the white, but know that having a white sofa would be a HUGE mistake of epic proportions. So, probably keep the slate (or another dark color) and go with a cream or light grey or something on the top, and accent it with colorful cushions.
So of course, now begins the "Great Purge", as there is no way all of my stuff is going to fit in the very cool flat. I have a lot of stuff! lol
So anyway, that is the big news from this end! Also, I received a lovely postcard from SirPat and Jirka! Thanks!!!! :D
I really must go, as I still have to wash counters in my kitchen and take a shower and start on dinner! :)