spillin' my own beans

Remember in the three little pigs where everytime another of their houses got blown down they would all travel to the next one. that's kind of what it felt like on Friday when I went apartment shopping in GB with my wonderful friend Anna. We ended up going to four different places, each of which had their own variables and special offers going on. It's not easy being so wanted, but Anna and I kept our heads on straight for the most part.

The first place was the entire upper level of a townhouse... it was a lot like the place where i just moved out of at the end of june, except with only one bedroom and a larger kitchen and living area. it was cute... but there was no garage and a really tight stairway that my bed definitely would not fit up.

the second place ended up being the runner up for the day. anna and i lovingly refer to it as grandma's house. the apartment is part of a 24 unit housing place thingy that is run by a grandma... she was so sweet and nice. she said that she would even take care of my cat (which I don't have) or feed my plants (which I would probably kill) while i'm away on vacation. the place even kind of had that grandma smell in a cute way... there were laundry units in the basement of the building and i could have my own garage with remote. (those of you that know wisconsin know it doesn't get much better than that in the winter) this place definitely ruled the morning, but we still had two more to check out...

the third place was part of a huge complex of apartments... anna and i jumped in and out of this lady's suv to view all of the different choices there were including with a patio, without a patio, larger, smaller... a walk in closet next to a storage room that also houses my water heater... on and on, but who would water my dead flowers when i was gone? and how many hours would i have to spend scraping off my car in the winter time...

it was looking like grandma's was a pretty easy favorite.

anna and i took some of the in between time to go to the high school that i will be working at, and check things out. i got to meet the head volleyball coach at the school as well as sit down and talk some things out with Principal Siekmann. we stayed so long that we were late for our 2.00 appt. at the final stop for the day. Meadow View Apartments... in my head i even wondered once or twice if it was worth it to go.

oh it was worth it. this place was awesome! they had a first floor apt. that they could show me and i think that it was the last of it's kind that was left. we walked through the apt. there was luxurious carpet (just like the add said) and the bedroom and bathroom were a decent size. There is a fridge and stove in the kitchen along with plenty of counter space and lots of cupboards. there was also a storage space right off of the living room. and here are just a few of the other reasons why this apartment was exactly what i needed:

- on the first floor
- view of the outdoor pool from my window (as well as easy access to it from my front door)
- FREE CABLE (you could have sold me on that alone)
- garages spaces that i can rent in the months that i want to
- gas/water included in the low low cost of $450/mo.
- in the apt. community there is also an indoor pool, and a fitness center
- a place of this calibur anywhere around milwaukee would cost at least $700/mo.
- it's right off the freeway and within about 10 minutes of school.
- the first two months i go rent FREE... and if i stay for at least two years then my last month is free also.

but most of all:
- a place where i can confidently start out on my own as a young professional (and watch free cable)... priceless