So, it was kind of a sad moment for me yesterday, but I sort of shut the door on moving for now. As some of you know, I've been seriously looking for a new apartment over the past few weeks. Having heard how much the rental market has softened in the last year, I figured I might be in a good position to finally be able to get a bigger place for similar rent to what I pay now. Unfortunately, we're not quite there. The truth is, the market has softened quite a bit. And there are A LOT of places out there with landlords willing to play "Let's Make a Deal." But for me to get a true upgrade from what I have now -- not just the same thing rearranged a bit -- I'd still have to increase my rent by a good $500. While I could do this, the uncertain climate in the newspaper industry combined with Michael's continued unemployment just gave me cold feet. To be honest, I'm almost kind of upset with myself for not being able to live more "in the moment" and just go ahead and take this apartment I LOVE. (I made them a low-ball offer that they refused, but they encouraged me to try again. The place is still available.) I wish I could just do what I want and deal with the consequences later if things don't work out as planned. But I guess I'm like a lot of people who are pulling back and being more fiscally conservative. I know it's the right thing, but after nearly 11 years in the same "cozy" pad, I felt like I was ready for something a little bigger. To that end, I finally was able to put my HUGE media tower out on the street yesterday knowing that I won't be having more room for it anytime soon.. (That move alone has me feeling like I have an extra 100 square feet in my current place!)
When I got home from work last night around 1:15 a.m. I noticed it was still where I'd left it, something that's NEVER happened with any other item I've ever left on the sidewalk, big or small. Perhaps the only thing less popular than a CD storage rack these days is the combo TV/
VCR that's been sitting in the hallway of my building now -- for TWO WEEKS ....
I haven't mailed my renewal lease in yet, but I'm probably going to just sign on for one more year here (instead of my usual two, which usually makes it cheaper) and re-evaluate things next spring.
So, it was kind of a sad moment for me yesterday, but I sort of shut the door on moving for now. As some of you know, I've been seriously looking for a new apartment over the past few weeks. Having heard how much the rental market has softened in the last year, I figured I might be in a good position to finally be able to get a bigger place for similar rent to what I pay now. Unfortunately, we're not quite there. The truth is, the market has softened quite a bit. And there are A LOT of places out there with landlords willing to play "Let's Make a Deal." But for me to get a true upgrade from what I have now -- not just the same thing rearranged a bit -- I'd still have to increase my rent by a good $500. While I could do this, the uncertain climate in the newspaper industry combined with Michael's continued unemployment just gave me cold feet. To be honest, I'm almost kind of upset with myself for not being able to live more "in the moment" and just go ahead and take this apartment I LOVE. (I made them a low-ball offer that they refused, but they encouraged me to try again. The place is still available.) I wish I could just do what I want and deal with the consequences later if things don't work out as planned. But I guess I'm like a lot of people who are pulling back and being more fiscally conservative. I know it's the right thing, but after nearly 11 years in the same "cozy" pad, I felt like I was ready for something a little bigger. To that end, I finally was able to put my HUGE media tower out on the street yesterday knowing that I won't be having more room for it anytime soon.. (That move alone has me feeling like I have an extra 100 square feet in my current place!)
When I got home from work last night around 1:15 a.m. I noticed it was still where I'd left it, something that's NEVER happened with any other item I've ever left on the sidewalk, big or small. Perhaps the only thing less popular than a CD storage rack these days is the combo TV/VCR that's been sitting in the hallway of my building now -- for TWO WEEKS ....
I haven't mailed my renewal lease in yet, but I'm probably going to just sign on for one more year here (instead of my usual two, which usually makes it cheaper) and re-evaluate things next spring. 
7 comments:
Ask for a rent reduction before you sign! I hear it's working fairly often if they think you may leave...
I feel your pain. I am living in Philly, and I have actually been looking for someone to take over my lease which is up at the end of September so that I could move someplace cheaper. No one seems to be biting, though, so I may just have to wait it out and move once my lease is officially up.
Oh, don't feel bad about being smart and being cautious. A lot of people who didn't look before they leaped (prior to the economy crashing and burning) are probably wishing they hadn't about now!
More space, more to clean, more room for Larry to track litter around.
I lived in a 4th floor kitchenless walk up studio for 23 years. Became a gourmet chef on a hot plate.
Next year the prices will be lower.
Sorry that you've called off the search and not because you found something fabulous. I applaud your frugality and ability to be conservative. I tend not to be... but it sounds like you're being smart.
Watch out that you don't miss out on a great deal. The economy could perk up soon and rents go back up by leaps and bounds. In NYC, lots of people track the pulse of the rental market.
For me, it's now or never, because if the economy does improve, I'll never get out of this crummy neighborhood where everyday living is torture. When I go, I'll cross my fingers and hope for the best.
Prudent move, but ooo bad. That hallway picture makes the would-be new place look all the more glamorous.
They still may call you begging. I've seen it on the house-hunting shows.
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