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Re: Noa, One more thing

Posted by Noa on May 18, 2000, at 17:16:50

In reply to Re: Noa, One more thing, posted by Greg on May 18, 2000, at 9:39:59

Greg, my rent is very very cheap for this area. I think it is because even though rents are steep around here, the standard level of amenities is pretty high. So, even though the apartments around here are pricey, especially within the past year or so, you usually get a relatively recent kitchen and bath, dishwasher, wall to wall, central air, easy access to laundry (down the hall or even in the apartment itself), pool, etc. My place, otoh, is an individually owned condo that has not been updated since going condo in the early 80's, and much is original from the 1940's (other units in this development that have been refurbished go for much more rent). It has no dishwasher, the kitchen cabinets are pretty shallow and the cupboard doors don't stay closed. The utensil drawers pull out not on tracks, but with the bottom of the drawer riding directly on the bare wood, which causes lots of sawdust, meaning the cupboard space underneath is worthless for food. I do keep some containers, pots, etc, but they must be rinsed every time I use them (hah!! use them? when was the last time I cooked?). The bathroom is not updated either, although I prefer it that way, because it has some charm to it--has the original black and white tile, art-deco sink and hardware (falling apart, but cute). The closets are older, ie, small, whereas in newer buildings, there are usually walk-in closets, or wall-to wall closets. There is no pool in this development, and the laundry is outside and around the corner, in the basement of another building. The unit came with one room air conditioner, and I bought another. I like the place a lot. It has nice hardwood floors, which is unusual for apartments around here they are usually carpet over concrete or carpet over messed up parquet --in the earlier era buildings--50s, 60s-- or if you are lucky, halfway decent parquet), and it has some character to it, unlike all the concrete 70's and 80's era apartment houses. And it has quick access to outdoors, with nice small-scale brick house-like buildings and gardens. So, not complaining about the amenities, but you get the idea as to why the rent is low, when people are used to getting more for their rent around here. Which was culture shock for me when I moved here from Boston (and was in NY before that). In Boston, YOU pay someone to find you an apartment. Here, they often pay you, ie first month rent free (although this is beginning to change--the market is getting tighter). In Boston, you are lucky if you even have laundry in the building (basement, whatever). Here it is usual to have it on your floor, or in your apartment. In Boston, rents are high and spaces are TINY. Here, rents are high, but spaces are decent. To have a porch in Boston is for the elite. Here, it is common. (oh, yeah, I have no porch). I moved into this building from a more expensive one with a pool, porch, etc etc because I couldn't afford it anymore, and wanted to stop living beyond my means.

Thing is, the housing market is getting hotter and apartments are getting more expensive, so my days of this "find" with cheap cheap rent, are probably limited.

I made some phone calls today. I cleared things up with the phone company and should have service back on tonight. I called and left a message for the landlord to clarify the rent increase. And, I called the condo manager about the maintenace entry into my apartment. He agreed to always notify me and clear it with me before coming in. They said they did that because they couldn't reach me (phone was disconnected) and they only had my old work phone number. I suggested if that were to happen, and it wasn't an emergency, just leave a note under my door to call them. They agreed. It turns out the guy never mentioned to the condo manager that the place was a mess. The manager put it this way, "Bob has been in about 10,000 apartments over the years, and he has seen it all. He really doesn't care and doesn't tell me anything about them".

Phew!


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