Location, Location, Location!

I have been looking for a studio for months- passively looking for about three, aggressively for about two. It is an exhausting, miserable process and I absolutely hate it. I have become a woman obsessed- every spare moment is dedicated to Operation: Adorable Studio.

I’m about one property away from aborting the mission.

I’m learning the trade-offs of renting in D.C. For instance, Apartment A is an English basement, beautiful one-bedroom with exposed brick, but the neighborhood is dodgy. Apartment B is a teeny tiny studio but in a great location. As far as neighborhoods go, the Hill isn’t a bad option- there is decent street parking, it’s a little more affordable, and I love Eastern Market- but it seems like everything is on the west side of the city- my work, my friends, my regular hangouts. Northwest is of course nearly impossible to find an affordable studio unless you go reeeeally far north or reeeeally far west -- or hit a goldmine.

This week I went to look at a studio with my friend and potentially struck gold. It’s about a 15 minute walk from work and in a great area- right by U Street and Adams Morgan where there is a lot of food, booze, and culture (i.e. FUN). It’s in a nice building, very safe area, but is teeny and there is no getting around the whole bed-is-in-the-living-room business. However, the location and the price are PERFECT and though it is far from my “dream apartment”, with some creative decorating it could be a damn good “first apartment.” Within moments I convinced myself that this apartment is the key to my happiness in DC and without it I will in fact be miserable.

Of course finding the apartment is only half the battle- you have to apply. This apartment had a line at the door a half hour before the viewing; t’was reminiscent of my Dublin days when hours were spent waiting to simply see the apartment. I faxed my application first thing in the morning and after a $30 cab ride to the leasing office found out that some scoundrel had already beaten me in: I was Applicant #2. So I tried to sweet talk the realtor and flashed my best smile in hopes that I would move to the top of the pile. Otherwise I just have to hope with all my might that Applicant #1 has craptacular credit.

So now I wait while a guy named Tim in a leasing office on Rhode Island Avenue determines my fate and hope with all my might that this tiny little gem comes through. Nothing but crossed fingers and positive thoughts…

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease let me get this apartment!!!!!!!