apartment shopping...

Sharon and I spent several hours of our lives the past few weeks shopping for a place to live.

This past year we've been renting from a couple who spent the year living overseas. Since their return tickets are booked for July, we figure now is the time to vacate so they can return to their own house sans our presence and our stuff.

We looked at a lot of options online.

We made our "non-negotiable" qualities list (which included private laundry area), as well as our wish lists items (which for me included: no pets allowed, and as little carpet as possible), and then we divided to conquer. Together we would select a few potential properties. Then, we'd each choose a couple to follow up on, setting up scouting visits when possible. We snapped pictures and had evening report sessions after each property visit.

I felt a little like Goldilocks on a house hunt...

too far to commute

too expensive

too 70's

too "odd"

too small

too much carpet

...

We finally settled on a place we hope will be just right:

Two of my faves about this housing option:

1) wooden floors and neutral walls

2) a walk-able commute to the office (one of my dreams come true!)

So next time you plan a visit to Pennsylvania, don't forget to plan a little stop at our new abode.