House Hunters

I know, I know... I'm a slacker and way behind. I just have more fun playing with Jonah than I do writing about him! In case you were wondering he is still the most beautiful baby on the planet. I need to get around to updating this thing with pictures of our trips to Chicago and Utah/Nevada/Idaho, and everything else that has happened since early May, but in the meantime...

We are moving! Matt is sick of the commute (2.5 hours), so we have seen dozens of apartments in the last two weeks. Because I have no life, and have seen way too many HGTV shows, I've turned my life into my very own house hunters! Lucky you, I am going to share. If you don't know what House Hunters is, close the window, we can't be friends.

We are looking for a 2bedroom 1 bath apartment close to the subway. The dollar amount listed is +/- our goal amount. I considered putting the actual amount, but whenever I tell someone how much we pay I always see them mentally dividing their rent into ours. I hate that. It is a lot, we know.

The Pre-war Penthouse
2bed 1bath
-$200
1500 Square Feet

Description: This place is the definition of "character". The top floor of a 1920's building, and located on an adorable street with tons of very well kept Victorians. An interior designer owns it and did a pretty good job of restoring it, original hardwood floors and chandeliers in every room. The kitchen has been completely renovated. The apartment is bigger than what we have now and every room feels huge. Storage is also pretty great.

What I Love: This is not the kind of apartment you (or at least we) see everyday. It is exactly my taste. Tons of windows. For our price range this place is huge. Huge. Did I already mention the original lightfixtures?

What I don't love: It is 3/4 of a mile from the subway for Matt, in the snow that is a long way.
Also, it is on the 6th floor and the elevator is broken (temporarily we hear). I have a baby, a sixth floor walk up is a lot of walking up. Street parking only, laundry is in the basement.

Liberty Loft
2bed 1bath
+125
1000 Square Feet
Description: Located in a reonvated factory this loft is RIGHT on Liberty State Park. It has some of the best views of the city I have seen. All hardwood floors, granite, stainless steel... the bedrooms are pretty big, if a little weirdly shaped. Laundry is located in the loft with is nice. Gated parking is included so is a gym.

What I Love: I can make toast and look at the Statue of Liberty. 3 other families from the ward live in this building. The kitchen has all professiona-grade appliances. Even though it is in the heart of the city it is right on the park so lots of room to walk.

What I don't love: This place has a "bachelor pad" vibe to it. The actual street this apartment is on is a little scary. Jonah's room is in the "loft" so it is upstairs, a long-ish walk (read: stumble) at 2am. There is no place for a table, we would havve to get tv trays.


Tiny but Trendy
2bed 1bath
$0
700 Square feet


Description: Location, location, location! this apartment is in our ideal neighborhood, beautiful streets, lots of young families, great restaurants and shopping. Matt's commute would be 10 minutes door to door. This is in an adorable brownstone building. The kitchen is a pretty good size and has been completely redone.

What I Love: The location, obviously! I can walk to a beautiful park in the summer and a great mall in the winter. It has white built-ins! I can't explain it, but white built-ins do something to my rationality, they put it on pause or something. There is a common outdoor space, which is nice.

What I don't Love: About half my furniture would not make this move. I know it is stupid (because I can't take it with me when I die and all that) but I LOVE my furniture. Basically every piece I have took about 20 hours of searching discount stores, garage sales, ikea's 50% off section and thrift stores to find. You can't just throw those man hours away! Also street parking. Laundry is in the basement. This place is small.

So there you have it. 3 totally different places. Which would you choose... or which would you be most likely to come visit?