Looking beyound the shoebox

With the giant hole in the ceiling still not fixed, and warnings of another power outage next week, I've been scouring apartment ads on Craigslist lately. Even though almost everything looks better than where we are now, I kind of expect a place to be amazing to be worth the hassle of moving. Sure, the shoebox is the shoebox, but it requires no special effort to live here beyond paying rent. I'm familiar with the neighborhood. There's a lot to be said for that. Also, it seem silly to move not knowing where (or if) I'll be working next year. But, they also seem to raise the rent by $100 every year, just because they can, and most people are too lazy to move in protest. For an extra hundred, I'd rather be someplace not here. So casually looking around seems like a nice option. No commitments, but if we get swept off our real estate feet, I'm open to a new relationship.

On that note, what are your thoughts on basement apartments? Some of them seem quite nice. I like the idea of being in a real house, not an apartment building. But on the other hand, I wonder if being that close to your landlord might be a little awkward. I'm not nuts about the management here, but at least they aren't also my upstairs neighbors. When my neighbors annoy me or visa versa, no one has the power to kick me out, or punitively refuse to fix things. I like the looks and price of so many basement apartments, but they make me nervous. Any experiences?

Negative and Positive

Positive: After a decent heatwave, my building finally switched over from heat to air conditioning.

Negative: To switch over, the maintenance people have to come into the apartments. Which they do, in the morning, on days when I was planning on sleeping in. Which means I was barely conscious when they knocked once, and then started to unlock the door which is about three feet away from my bed, where I've been sleeping in attire that is appropriate for the heat, but not to be seen by other people.

Positive: I managed to get my bra-less, indecent self into the kitchen and behind closed doors before they could get the door open. (Leaving poor Zach to fumble for his robe and be the polite person.)

Negative: A tiny, in need of a good cleaning, kitchen is not the best place to hang out bleary eyed while strangers bang around in the habitable part of the apartment.

Positive: I got a bright and early start to my day.

Negative: I got a bright and early start to my day.

Our friendly poltergeist

Sometimes when I come home and head over to the elevator (yes, the stairs would be healthier, but I'm on the 6th floor and when I get home I'm tired) the elevator just spontaneously opens for me, without me pressing any buttons or doing anything except stand there. No one is getting off. No one else is around to push anything. I can't think of any logical reason why the doors would just open for me.

My best guess is some sort of a ghost/poltergeist scenario. I'm actually fairly thrilled. It seems friendly and helpful, and it gives the otherwise drab building a splash of character. I think I'll name it Dennis.

The Shoebox Attacks!

For as much as I complain about the shoebox apartment, I've generally accepted that we will probably stay here for the rest of law school. It's less expensive than most other places (at least in DC proper), it's in a nice neighborhood, fairly close to school, and is generally habitable. I haven't seen a single cockroach or other vermin while living here, and I am very grateful for that.

However. In the past month or so, we have lost electricity for almost a full day, twice. We've also lost hot water a few times, including today.

I really don't expect miracles from this place. I can deal with the occasional wafting scent of cigarettes. I've accepted the occasional moans of conjugal bliss that pass through our walls. I can find fun shapes in the peeling paint. I'm less afraid of the bathroom now. Some quirks have almost grown on me. I'm not horribly prissy or picky, I swear.

But I do have basic standards. More than a few hours with out internet and I get twitchy. When night falls I appreciate not trying to make my way about the apartment using a few tealights that are much better suited for ambient lighting than the practical. Quickly opening and slamming the fridge shut to avoid cold air leaking out and food spoiling doesn't make mealtime very fun.

But above all, do not mess with my nice, long, hot showers. I relish those 10 minutes of sinking back into the steam and letting go. They make me human. Trying to jump in and out of an ice-cold stream, staying just long enough to get most of the soap off is just not the same. Boiling pots of water for the saddest, shallowest bath ever is also not acceptable.

I don't want to deal with finding a new place to live. I don't want to deal with moving. I promise shoebox, I want to make this work. Be good to me, and I'll be good to you. But I warn you, one more strike in the next week, and I'm out of here. Got it?