Goodness. What a project.
Maybe there's a good time to find a place in the city. Maybe there's not. Maybe I have no idea what I'm talking about. But the neighborhoods we loved did not have openings. Not yet. And many, many, many of the places we looked at were run down. Or unclean. Or gave us a creepy feeling (important filter, that creepy feeling).
O, the options on graduate school budgets are limited. And the car sickness feeling that invades me after driving in circles for 3 full days is too, too much. So we did not get our cute, independent hardwood place in Ladd's Addition. We did not even get an appointment to see the one halfway affordable place in the Lloyd District. We called so many places I mixed them all up within a half hour. We scrutinized and discussed and compromised ...
And after deciding that we absolutely could not keep this process up for many more trips (we do live over 4 hours away), we put some money down on a little apartment right on the East side of the river.
20 minutes bus ride from campus.
10 minutes away from the neighborhood we most wanted to be in.
And a great, big relieved feeling that that part's over.
And now, on to find a job ... since all of my $21,000 financial aid went to out of state, graduate tuition ...
... gotta have something to eat this year, after all ...
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I am glad that you guys find an apartment even if it wasn't your dream one. Maybe it will open up soon. I don't envy the car sickness part!
Remember, everything is temporary. Keep you eyes/ears open and this time next year you could have that dream apartment. Besides, you'll be too busy reading and writing to even care if the floors are wood...
Question: Is cheryl a nun?? Sister Cheryl?? : )
O, too funny. Could you imagine?
YAY! I am so excited for you!!!! I am also excited I will get to see both you and CHERYL! How cool is that.
I read your blog and love it. I will be going to grad. school myself (out of state and more $.
There are more options for getting aid. Contact your financial aid office at the school and ask about GradPlus Loan or Smart Option Loan. Gov't loan only gives the amount you have for grad school. These are loans are private but backed by the gov't. I have to do the same to go to school. Good luck.
Maria, bless your soul. I spent most of the morning sifting through job openings, thinking, "how in the world ..." and these ideas completely perked me up.
Lisa,
I know the feeling as I am in the same boat! A new journey for a new life but still scary! I am glad you were helped by it.