We had lined up two places to see, and a bunch of places to drive by.
One place was literally sold the morning we were supposed to see it, someone made a purchase offer, and the lister said "cool."
It would have been perfect. Geoff would have had mostly a full apartment to himself in the basement. Even with a kitchenette. Full stove would have to be had upstairs with us, but, for him to live more on his own-ish, that would have been a good step towards probably this time next year or 18 months from now.
Next place was listed for 2 days, got rented.
Driving by a few more places, at the next place, the kitchen was smaller than the galley on Aaron's boat. It was vacant, and we could not believe it when we went to peer through the windows. Honestly no. How. How does anyone prepare a meal, where does the trash go? And for this price? This close to the Metro tracks and the construction of the Purple Line??
If they knocked out this wall, and brought the kitchen to this window, and put in a half wall with a breakfast bar here, and the cabinetry, and the ..... Doug and I had our visions rolling, and knew this place was not for us. Especially for the cost, even though it would be kind of super cool to live there.
The next place looked like a shotgun shack from the outside but as we poked around, it was great size wise. Full finished basement, huge backyard. The only thing missing was a shed and we'd ask for one, for sure. You want us to mow the lawn so ... gimme a shed please and thank you.
Doug double checked the listing and it said absolutely no pets. So even though we don't have a dog, our hearts yearn for one. And we can't go two years without some form of buddy. We want a dog.
A few more drive-by visits, and we were not impressed with anything.
When we got home, Doug and Geoff went to put air in the tire in the Jeep while I got his birthday dinner started. When they drove down the street, they saw a house 4 doors down from us on the opposite side of the road literally just had a "for rent" sign put out. Geoff took a picture and texted it to me. I emailed the listing agent.
She got right back to me - she also was the agent on the house with the galley kitchen so we talked about that for a while. She said for the price, this one was so much better. The tenants would be fully out on Sunday morning, she was on her way to get the keys and would we like a tour at 1pm.
Yes please.
It was listed as a 2 bed/2 bath house, so it never would have shown up in my searches.
Floor plan-wise, it is similar to our house. There are some differences. The way to the 2 bedrooms and bath on the main floor is the same, but the kitchen has 2 ways in, the fireplace is kind of where my kitchen entry is now - and where my fireplace is, there's a wall with a window.
The kitchen feels smaller but is about the same size, and I think because it has 2 entries it feels smaller so there is some adjusting for counter space that is missing.
Doug described the kitchen as "vintage." I described it as my childhood. Straight out of the 70s.
Down to the basement, there is a whole living room/den/chill space where we'll probably set up our office. Geoff is already claiming it for his space and wants exercise equipment and his drum set all arranged down there. He's fired up.
There is a bathroom with a 3/4 shower - bigger than the one we have now. Two rooms that could be offices or bedrooms sans closet. One will be Geoff, one will be storage. I want to get some proper floor to ceiling shelving so everything isn't sitting in a pile on the floor.
I don't mind sharing the chill space with Geoff and his drums. Just don't play drums while I'm working. Or. If he's in classes, I'll go work upstairs.
The carpeting is kind of beat and could use replacement but I don't care.
There is an unfinished section with a washer/dryer, and furnace/AC set up. I asked for a furnace checkup seeing as we had a furnace adventure here this past week and got a brand new one installed. That was fun.
The yard is a great size. About exactly what we have now, only it is fully fenced, which is wonderful. Three planting beds and an area where we can do Doug's wildflower garden and have it be lovely. Lots of nice bushes, and I didn't check to see if there was outdoor plugs, but I can see decorating at Christmas where we didn't get to here because of the no outlet thing.
Did I mention the homeowner is okay with dogs? Any size? Yes. So when we are ready to bring a new friend (or 2?) into our lives... they are welcome here.
All told, it's not perfect but there is a lot to like. And it will be good for the next two years.
We'll get Geoff through school (walking distance to the Metro, still) and we will see where he gets placed for his practicum and everything. It will work out great for all of us.
I'm super thankful for this blog because I use it a lot for referencing when I moved or where I lived or adventures about xyz or what have you. I had to fill out an application online for this place, and they asked where we lived for the last x amount of years. I was able to fill that all out, thank you blog.
So that number is our new house number effective Feb 15th. We are going to move some stuff on our own. But by February 28th we'll be moved into the new space. So if you know our street, city, zip, you'll know where to find us.
Now the finding the moving company and the utilities work happens. Oh so much fun.
Here we go!
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