So long, spacious living room.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
new apartment / downsizing
We just spent the past week moving to an apartment two blocks away from our old place. It was important for us to stay in the neighborhood, and after four frustrating weeks of pounding the pavement and submitting countless applications, we finally found something. It's quite a bit smaller (590 sq. ft. versus 1100 sq. ft.), and the storage isn't so great, but we're only staying here for a year. One thing we're trying hard to do is economize since my employment is in flux. Housing is our largest expense, it far exceeds the recommended amount. Toronto, like Boston, is an expensive city, but we're trying to be creative and practical about making this apartment work. The hardest part is the lack of closets. Even with the purchase of two wardrobes, I had to throw out or donate so many pretty things that I don't wear. Sometimes you have to be ruthless and let go of the person you think you are or used to be.
So long, spacious living room.
So long, spacious living room.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
your new living space looks really comfortable and nice. i love the windows and stained glass! i'm sure you guys will get used to the smaller space after a little while.
ah, sadly that's a photograph of our previous apartment. our new living room is not nearly as spectacular, alas!
it's true, though, it doesn't take long to get used to a smaller space. just think how amazing it will be when we move into a large apartment.
Erica, I so can relate to this! Jed and I just went through the process of finding an apartment near Boulder, CO where the living expense is high (maybe a bit higher than Evanston, IL where we have been the last 2 yrs). We decided on location over space. And it is hard sometimes when we are paying so much for just our living expenses. At least it's not too much more than we are currently paying. Just gonna have to be creative, like you said! ;) Good luck!
Whoops, didn't read the caption clearly! It will be so amazing when you guys move into a large apartment! On the flipside, if you end up in a crazy-expensive city like New York or San Francisco, you'll already be accustomed to living in a small space. Either way, you'll come out on top. :D
"Sometimes you have to be ruthless and let go of the person you think you are or used to be."
Amen.
Hope everything else is well. The boys are beautiful!
Anna-we definitely pay a premium for location! i just wish the space were more functional. the kitchen doesn't have a single drawer! only cabinets! crazy!
Jennifer--my thinking exactly. in the end, it's a win-win solution in terms of lowered expectations.
Leanne--hope you and your family are doing well! i miss instagram. my phone died, and now i'm using an ancient phone that doesn't support the app. hoping to get a new phone later this summer.
My friend up there tells me that Toronto's housing market is just nuts! Glad you found a place that suits your needs, even if it is not the house of your dreams. Hopefully the smaller place will leave you feeling less constrained in other ways (financially, definitely, but I think there is something freeing about having less STUFF).
We've also been going back and forth about moving to a smaller space - rent has gotten so high in JP that I doubt when we do move again we'll be able to stay in the same neighborhood. Most 1 bd's start at $2000 or higher here now, it's insane! I'm really glad that you found a place nearby your old place, even if it's a bit smaller I bet you'll be able to make it feel like home very soon! :)
I can't believe the rents in JP! But then again, I noticed that the rents have also gone up in my old neighborhood in Cambridge, so I guess landlords are raising rents across the board. The worst part is that our incomes aren't increasing to keep up with cost of living.
Post a Comment