During a brief moment of insanity several weeks before Xmas I decided to inspect and then apply for a new apartment. Then I got the place and had to deal with the whole moving thing right between xmas and new year. Lots of fun [/sarcasm]. I won't pretend it was good because it wasn't - it was crazy and hectic and stressful and I don't know what I would have done without all the wonderful people who came and helped me (especially Mum, who gave up the better part of a week). Gone insane probably. More insane, I mean - clearly I must have been insane when I decided to move between xmas and new year.
But it's over. Thank god. (Well, apart from finishing unpacking and waiting for the old real estate agents to decide how much of my bond I get back.)
And the new place is worth it. It's twice the size, 2 bedrooms instead of 1, barely more expensive, quiet street/neighbours, across the road from a park, and walking distance to the train. That's my definition of walking distance too, so really not far. I haven't tried the walk yet -I've been meaning to but haven't had the chance - but I estimate it'd be about 10min.
I'm debating whether to get a housemate or not. Cheaper rent would definitely be a big bonus but I don't know how I'll go with living with someone all the time. I like my space and I don't like having people around all the time. I think with the right person I'd be right. Someone who's not intrusive, who's out a fair bit of the time or maybe someone who works evenings. Definitely no party animals or noisy/loud people. Also I don't want someone who has to be around people or someone who would expect me to talk to them all the time. It probably sounds like I'm totally anti-social or something but I'm not really. Just sometimes. Sometimes, probably even most of the time, I like being sociable, but at other times I don't feel like talking to people and just want to be left alone. I'd need someone who would respect that.
I am going to keep my eyes open for a housemate anyway. There are plenty of advantages to it that I haven't gone into above. But I won't just take someone for the sake of filling the room. If I can't find someone who I think I would be able to live with relatively easily, I'll leave it empty.
Anyway better go home and have some dinner. If anyone is wondering what to get me for a housewarming present here is a list of things I want to get for my new place. (Note: presents are neither required nor expected, but I know some of my friends are the sort to give me a present anyway even when I tell them not to worry about it, so I figure I might as well get some things I want)
Not sure when the housewarming's going to be... Maybe this weekend, so the friend who has to go back to whoop-whoop (Kalgoorlie) on Sunday can come, or otherwise I might do a combined housewarming, birthday party later in the year.
So, things I want for my new place:
- a small couch (I finally have space for one, yay!) obviously I'm not expecting anyone would buy me a new one (not even my parents), but I'll quite happily take hand-me-downs or opshop furniture so long as it's in semi-decent nick.
- a kitchen bench unit - to create more bench space in my kitchen. (ditto above)
- kitchen bits and pieces - toaster (2 slice), salad spinner, a salad bowl with a tight fitting lid (the sort of thing you'd use to take a salad to a picnic), a decent chefs knife (like Mum's victorinox one), glasses - maybe 4, stove to oven casserole dish, roasting tray
- plants - such as pots of fresh herbs or other things you can eat, preferably unkillable ones :-P, the balcony doesn't get much sun, a dwarf fruit tree in a pot would be really cool although it'd probably die of neglect like most of my previous plants. Non edible plants are ok, but I prefer useful ones
- chair custions - 2 outdoor ones for the 2 white plastic chairs I have on my balcony, and some for the backs of the dining chairs I've got.
- maybe a picnic rug
Can't think of anything else off the top of my head, even though I know there's plenty more. gtg anyway the library's kicking us out... I'll update the list later if I remember.
