Flat hunting....

has been frustrating. The prime location spots go quick, right before I leave to check out a flat I get a phone call that it's been taken. Well, at least I get the call BEFORE I leave.

The following is several days of flat hunting compressed into one... beware it may be a long post. You have been warned.

Yesterday Mary and I treked over to Paisley (it's another large city next to Glasgow). There was a studio for let (let = rent) near Paisley Uni and close to all the transport links.

The main door to the left was locked and secure. The main door to the right was locked and secure. The door where the empty flat is had no lock.

Well, it used to have a lock and there were remnants of a secure buzz entry system. As soon as we opened the door the overpowering smell of pee rushed up our noses.

It was bad.

The flat itself wasn't too bad, there were some issues with the stove being slanted and it was dirty, but I could have cleaned it up and make the small studio a great home. I could have managed with the dirty hallway. But.....

There were concerns. The fact that every other complex near this one is secure and the realtor "doesn't know" if it's a bad neighborhood didn't bode well with either one of us. (And not to mention that people have been using the hallway as a bathroom - no bueno).

And not to mention how embarrassing to be a tenant in that building? "Hey we're hanging at my flat tonight so come on over! Oh, but ignore the pee smell when you first enter." Seriously? NO BUENO!

I had two viewings today so this morning I crossed my fingers because I was excited. There was one that was perfect on paper and I couldn't wait to see it. (Of course the Paisley one looked perfect on paper too) and there was a flat that I wasn't sure on because it was in the country. It would be perfect if I had a car, but I have no car.

I had to re-arrange the morning one for tomorrow because an issue came up, which I was glad because I was debating if I wanted to take the 2 hour bus ride to check it out. But shortly after that I get a phone call, the one I couldn't wait to see had been let.

AHHHH!!!!! It's so frustrating! I found two that seemed good and made calls:

1. Landlord was on holiday so they couldn't view it for about a month (what type of holiday is he taking?)

2. They haven't received the keys yet.

So. Frustrating.

The flat in the country pops into my head again. I call the realtor to see if I can see it today instead of tomorrow. (This realtor is AMAZING! He's SO nice!)

Let me tell you about this flat in the country. I didn't want to go over 300 GBP but I wanted to stay around 250 GBP because my money would last longer. So I removed the flats over 250 GBP from my list, but then I put this flat back on my list (275 GBP). I had already made contact with the realtor and he wasn't going to ask for 6 months of rent up front like most places since I have no credit over here. (Great credit in America doesn't count over here). He was willing to work with me.

I researched the places on my list through Google (I love Google) and I couldn't find a grocery store in walking distance from this flat and there weren't even train stations real close. So to the bottom of the list it went. This place kept popping into my head though. And this morning I debated several times about calling. But I did.

This was my first trek by myself! There were times I had no clue where I was, but I just asked and people were very nice. It was a beautiful bus drive, I was making mental notes of places that would be great for photography (must return). Anyway, the realtor drives me to the flat and is answering all of my questions, he's explaining that the woman who cleans for them has hurt her arm so it's just been cleaned by a man but it needs a woman's touch, and that it'll be painted next week. Basically it's still in a "rough"stage right now.

It's a one bedroom flat (basically think studio with a small room attached). At first I thought "wow, it's small" but I've only seen American apartments, but once I got over that thought I could see myself there (and I don't have a whole lot of stuff). It felt good. I liked it. And then I found out that the landlord has had family in the same situation that I'm in and wants to help me out so they'll work with me.

So I got the flat in the country. I move in next Friday. I'm already envisioning myself taking photo walks. I'm so excited!!!