We drove up north to look at three apartments on Saturday morning. The drive, without traffic, is a flat five hours. About every forty-five minutes you change to a new road so the mind-numbing expanses like my childhood trips on 80 across Pennsylvania are avoided. The rental market in the town is tough. The supply is limited, pets are usually not allowed, and heat has to be included in the rent or one might be paying an extra $300/month in the winter. And the prices are not substantially lower than the current Jersey City market. Plus, I want to be in walking distance to the school and have an extra bedroom (to be a study).
After seeing the three apartments, we sat down for lunch and to talk about various pros and cons. My feeling was with #1, in part due to its nooks and crannies. The only issue was the wall to wall carpeting since Madeline the cat has an issue with some floor coverings. Bri called the landlady to bargain about the tub only to learn that as soon as we left some other renters came in to offer a cash deposit and first month rent (which is silly since the lady only wanted a credit check). #2 was a bit too small and the landlady there said she lived with her "19 or 20 year old" daughter on the other side of the building. #3 had the benefit of the largest kitchen and new appliances, but its on the first floor and farthest from the school. Feeling very disheartened and only being 4.30, we decided to drive back.
Things here get hazy... I saw the sign for 495 but not the exit. Then I saw the sign for 95 but, again, not the exit. Then skyscrapers appeared on the horizon and we were suddenly in Boston. (Or as Brian said: "A tiny little Manhattan"). Let this be a lesson to all drivers--if you let your mind wander when driving you end up in Boston by accident. The highway took us under the city in the big tunnel. I do admire that way of thinking. Traffic is bad in town; let's build a tunnel under the city! So simple! Picked up 95 and drove south.
Somewhere in Connecticut I realized that we should take #3. It did have, as per the listing, abundant woodwork. (And for the benefit of Madeline, hardwood floors). Our application is under review by the landlady.
