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sidewaysFirst post from the new apartment! Woohoo!
Moving day ended up being Saturday 2nd, which was my preferred date. Unfortunately it ended up being Saturday 2nd in part due to a misunderstanding I had with the movers - when I booked them in a month ago, I let them know there was uncertainty about the 2nd, and asked how much notice they needed ahead of bookings so I could wait to see if I could get that certainty. At the time, the advice I was given was that both the 2nd and the 4th were free at that point, and it would be best to book right then for my preferred date since "as long as we have at least a day's notice of changes, we can accommodate you".
I clearly misunderstood what was meant by 'accommodate', because when I rang up a couple days before the 2nd to try to push it back to the 4th I was informed that a) Monday 4th was a local public holiday so no one was available at all, which the guy I had spoken with must not have realised, and b) the earliest they'd be able to re-book for was Thursday the 7th, aka the exact day my lease was up and way behind what was convenient for me. I proceeded to do some frantic ringing to the property managers, who arranged to get the bond cleaner in on Friday morning; I picked up the keys on Friday afternoon, and lo and behold the move went ahead on Saturday as I had been asking for confirmation on over the course of an entire month. I really don't understand why this was all so hard.
The move itself went smoothly after that, at least; the mover fellas themselves were a bit grumpy on the day (one had been working 6 days straight and would rather have been enjoying a long weekend - fair enough, buddy, but I didn't make you accept the shift), but credit to them, they did the job in under 3 hours and did not drop my fridge down the stairs though there was amusingly a bit of a close call on that front.
My parents arrived from the Coast on Thursday and stayed until Tuesday, which I am very grateful for since they were a huge help. We spent the entire time zipping about packing, unpacking, cleaning, spelunking through stores, and speed-running as much home maintenance as possible. I insisted on being a part of all the maintenance since I can no longer just ping my local landlord when something breaks, and as a consequence it at times felt a bit like Bonding With Dad Over House Crafts. The apartment is overall in good nick, but there were the usual litany of little tweaks to be made: blown lights, loose door handles, shower heads I don't like, missing tap filters, and the worn seal for the front door making it go off like a gunshot every time it closed.
I have made a few exasperating mistakes with purchases - a new mattress that might be too hard for my hips, and a desk I'm not actually sure I like. Going to give both some time to see if it's just an adjustment thing, and otherwise... this is why the system invented the concept of returns, and also Facebook Marketplace.
As with any big life change, there has been the usual swing between delight and existential melancholy; and as with any change in housing, the discovery of things that spark joy and things that spark irritation. A week in, I'm at least starting to be able to divide this list up tidily.
Pros:
• I am typing this post from the rank luxury of a computer desk set up in a dual study/spare bedroom, which is about a solid 60% of what I wanted from a new place. Though the apartment isn't much larger than my old one overall, it uses the space much more efficiently and I'm hoping it will allow me to use the place more efficiently - fewer items stuffed in the backs of deep cupboards where I forget they exist, more opportunities to put baskets and bins where I am actually inclined to dump things. At absolute minimum I've been reunited with my great-grandpa's carved writing desk, which I don't write at but like to store key stationery items and other minutiae in. I'm also loving the pantry, which is laid out in longer, shallower shelves so everything is again visible and easy to sort through.
• The view is so niiiice! This is probably the ideal block for it: the balcony opens directly out over the courtyard, inclusive of pool and gardens, and is framed in the distance by the mountain range. It really opens the place up, and though the kitchen is a bit of a dark pit due to a lack of windows in that corner, the places I am likely to actually hang about during the day - the study/spare and living room - receive a comfortable amount of shaded light. I have my privacy back too, which is lovely, and being level with / above the surrounding trees will mean vastly less leaf litter getting dumped on my balcony.
• Finances are a major plus, obviously. Between repayments, rates, and body corporate levies I'll be paying a smidgen more than I was in rent (pending whatever interest rates do), but I'll be paying it into my own black hole, not someone else's! Also, you know, paying for a 2-bed and not a 1-bed.
• I've moved away from the street noise, away from upstairs noise (top floor privileges!), and away from the family with four young children that had moved in underneath me. Unfortunately this is almost more of a net neutral than a proper pro, since it's counterbalanced somewhat by a new noise factor. (See: cons.)
• I've gone for a couple of walks along the river that have reminded me this is a really convenient little neighbourhood, actually, and I'm glad to be staying within it. It would have been nice to live within walking distance of work, but a 15 min drive isn't a trial; likewise living within walking distance of the ocean was a wistful dream, but the river is almost as good. There are many amenities either within walking distance or all of 5 minutes driving, on top of those stationed at the complex itself. It might even be nice to invest in a bike someday - but I think I need to strengthen my back a fair bit first.
• I can put PAINTINGS on my WALLS. Hilariously I'm still too nervous to actually drive a nail into the walls yet and have been using sticky hooks. Also stuck up a little whiteboard calendar to try and track some aspirations (doing my stretches, going for a walk or a swim, and cooking > takeout), though I'm not sure exactly what reward system I'm going to attach to it. Discipline is hard when you hold all the purse strings.
• I am smack-bang on top of a Pokemon Go gym. Hee hee.
Cons:
• The people directly below me have a cute little schnauzer named Mabel... who howls, barks, and scratches the door whenever they're gone, aka pretty much every single day. The longest I've heard her keep it up was 3 hours, on and off. If the sound-proofing in these apartments wasn't as good as it is, we would have a serious and immediate problem; as it is I am starting to keep a diary of noticed noise so that in another couple of weeks I can write them a polite letter attached to a bag of dog treats saying ya gotta do something. Honestly I'm a little surprised they haven't had serious complaints before now - they moved in about six months ago? If I'm really lucky, they're not planning to stay >>
• Of all the busted things my tenants left me, the most grievous wound is the broken dishwasher T_T I'm doing fine with handwashing for now - my god it makes a difference when the water comes out of the kitchen tap hot enough that I don't have to boil a kettle as well - but I want to replace it and. Just. It has been a lot of spending lately, you know? Apparently if you want to reap rich parasite benefits you have to be a landlord for longer than 6 months because I'm pretty sure this has lost me money.
• I'm still a little nervous about the previous break-in... I asked property management for a police incident report number so I could assess whether I wanted to claim insurance on the re-keying + extra security expenses and of course got no response, sigh. Hopefully the deadlock and the security screen will do the trick.
• I'm going to have to watch out for mosquitoes and sandflies come summer, having moved closer to the river. Not anticipating too much of a problem since I'll be fully screened, but I've already invested in some repellent and tea tree oil for itches. We'll also have to wait until summer to find out if the break from ants is temporary or whether I can really hope climbing three floors is too much effort for their teeny tiny legs.
• No birds at my water dish yet. I am staring longingly.
And now for stuff that is not new apartment stuff:
• Winter actually came this year, good lord. Down south this has meant frost and freezes; even further south it has meant hideous amounts of flooding. Up here it mostly means I am wearing my dressing gown for nearly the first time in three years and sleeping under several light blankets and a quilt. Yes my tolerance for cold has been obliterated by life in the tropics but I'll hold that 10C / 50F minimums is a little nippy.
• Global politics are... sure having a time. It's a strange feeling watching such a major shift in world power become so tangible.
• I have been watching the new Umbrella Academy season and confirming this show both entertains and deeply maddens me.
• Quix shared an interesting video on the absolutely batshit way New Zealand acquires and makes available medication.
Moving day ended up being Saturday 2nd, which was my preferred date. Unfortunately it ended up being Saturday 2nd in part due to a misunderstanding I had with the movers - when I booked them in a month ago, I let them know there was uncertainty about the 2nd, and asked how much notice they needed ahead of bookings so I could wait to see if I could get that certainty. At the time, the advice I was given was that both the 2nd and the 4th were free at that point, and it would be best to book right then for my preferred date since "as long as we have at least a day's notice of changes, we can accommodate you".
I clearly misunderstood what was meant by 'accommodate', because when I rang up a couple days before the 2nd to try to push it back to the 4th I was informed that a) Monday 4th was a local public holiday so no one was available at all, which the guy I had spoken with must not have realised, and b) the earliest they'd be able to re-book for was Thursday the 7th, aka the exact day my lease was up and way behind what was convenient for me. I proceeded to do some frantic ringing to the property managers, who arranged to get the bond cleaner in on Friday morning; I picked up the keys on Friday afternoon, and lo and behold the move went ahead on Saturday as I had been asking for confirmation on over the course of an entire month. I really don't understand why this was all so hard.
The move itself went smoothly after that, at least; the mover fellas themselves were a bit grumpy on the day (one had been working 6 days straight and would rather have been enjoying a long weekend - fair enough, buddy, but I didn't make you accept the shift), but credit to them, they did the job in under 3 hours and did not drop my fridge down the stairs though there was amusingly a bit of a close call on that front.
My parents arrived from the Coast on Thursday and stayed until Tuesday, which I am very grateful for since they were a huge help. We spent the entire time zipping about packing, unpacking, cleaning, spelunking through stores, and speed-running as much home maintenance as possible. I insisted on being a part of all the maintenance since I can no longer just ping my local landlord when something breaks, and as a consequence it at times felt a bit like Bonding With Dad Over House Crafts. The apartment is overall in good nick, but there were the usual litany of little tweaks to be made: blown lights, loose door handles, shower heads I don't like, missing tap filters, and the worn seal for the front door making it go off like a gunshot every time it closed.
I have made a few exasperating mistakes with purchases - a new mattress that might be too hard for my hips, and a desk I'm not actually sure I like. Going to give both some time to see if it's just an adjustment thing, and otherwise... this is why the system invented the concept of returns, and also Facebook Marketplace.
As with any big life change, there has been the usual swing between delight and existential melancholy; and as with any change in housing, the discovery of things that spark joy and things that spark irritation. A week in, I'm at least starting to be able to divide this list up tidily.
Pros:
• I am typing this post from the rank luxury of a computer desk set up in a dual study/spare bedroom, which is about a solid 60% of what I wanted from a new place. Though the apartment isn't much larger than my old one overall, it uses the space much more efficiently and I'm hoping it will allow me to use the place more efficiently - fewer items stuffed in the backs of deep cupboards where I forget they exist, more opportunities to put baskets and bins where I am actually inclined to dump things. At absolute minimum I've been reunited with my great-grandpa's carved writing desk, which I don't write at but like to store key stationery items and other minutiae in. I'm also loving the pantry, which is laid out in longer, shallower shelves so everything is again visible and easy to sort through.
• The view is so niiiice! This is probably the ideal block for it: the balcony opens directly out over the courtyard, inclusive of pool and gardens, and is framed in the distance by the mountain range. It really opens the place up, and though the kitchen is a bit of a dark pit due to a lack of windows in that corner, the places I am likely to actually hang about during the day - the study/spare and living room - receive a comfortable amount of shaded light. I have my privacy back too, which is lovely, and being level with / above the surrounding trees will mean vastly less leaf litter getting dumped on my balcony.
• Finances are a major plus, obviously. Between repayments, rates, and body corporate levies I'll be paying a smidgen more than I was in rent (pending whatever interest rates do), but I'll be paying it into my own black hole, not someone else's! Also, you know, paying for a 2-bed and not a 1-bed.
• I've moved away from the street noise, away from upstairs noise (top floor privileges!), and away from the family with four young children that had moved in underneath me. Unfortunately this is almost more of a net neutral than a proper pro, since it's counterbalanced somewhat by a new noise factor. (See: cons.)
• I've gone for a couple of walks along the river that have reminded me this is a really convenient little neighbourhood, actually, and I'm glad to be staying within it. It would have been nice to live within walking distance of work, but a 15 min drive isn't a trial; likewise living within walking distance of the ocean was a wistful dream, but the river is almost as good. There are many amenities either within walking distance or all of 5 minutes driving, on top of those stationed at the complex itself. It might even be nice to invest in a bike someday - but I think I need to strengthen my back a fair bit first.
• I can put PAINTINGS on my WALLS. Hilariously I'm still too nervous to actually drive a nail into the walls yet and have been using sticky hooks. Also stuck up a little whiteboard calendar to try and track some aspirations (doing my stretches, going for a walk or a swim, and cooking > takeout), though I'm not sure exactly what reward system I'm going to attach to it. Discipline is hard when you hold all the purse strings.
• I am smack-bang on top of a Pokemon Go gym. Hee hee.
Cons:
• The people directly below me have a cute little schnauzer named Mabel... who howls, barks, and scratches the door whenever they're gone, aka pretty much every single day. The longest I've heard her keep it up was 3 hours, on and off. If the sound-proofing in these apartments wasn't as good as it is, we would have a serious and immediate problem; as it is I am starting to keep a diary of noticed noise so that in another couple of weeks I can write them a polite letter attached to a bag of dog treats saying ya gotta do something. Honestly I'm a little surprised they haven't had serious complaints before now - they moved in about six months ago? If I'm really lucky, they're not planning to stay >>
• Of all the busted things my tenants left me, the most grievous wound is the broken dishwasher T_T I'm doing fine with handwashing for now - my god it makes a difference when the water comes out of the kitchen tap hot enough that I don't have to boil a kettle as well - but I want to replace it and. Just. It has been a lot of spending lately, you know? Apparently if you want to reap rich parasite benefits you have to be a landlord for longer than 6 months because I'm pretty sure this has lost me money.
• I'm still a little nervous about the previous break-in... I asked property management for a police incident report number so I could assess whether I wanted to claim insurance on the re-keying + extra security expenses and of course got no response, sigh. Hopefully the deadlock and the security screen will do the trick.
• I'm going to have to watch out for mosquitoes and sandflies come summer, having moved closer to the river. Not anticipating too much of a problem since I'll be fully screened, but I've already invested in some repellent and tea tree oil for itches. We'll also have to wait until summer to find out if the break from ants is temporary or whether I can really hope climbing three floors is too much effort for their teeny tiny legs.
• No birds at my water dish yet. I am staring longingly.
And now for stuff that is not new apartment stuff:
• Winter actually came this year, good lord. Down south this has meant frost and freezes; even further south it has meant hideous amounts of flooding. Up here it mostly means I am wearing my dressing gown for nearly the first time in three years and sleeping under several light blankets and a quilt. Yes my tolerance for cold has been obliterated by life in the tropics but I'll hold that 10C / 50F minimums is a little nippy.
• Global politics are... sure having a time. It's a strange feeling watching such a major shift in world power become so tangible.
• I have been watching the new Umbrella Academy season and confirming this show both entertains and deeply maddens me.
• Quix shared an interesting video on the absolutely batshit way New Zealand acquires and makes available medication.
