Flat Hunting

Flat 1: Mile End, 550 a month.  Right at the top of my price range.  A quick right out of the station brings you to the door, it really couldn't get any closer to public transpertation.  The room was on the bottom floor, a double bed, wardrobe, desk, and small bookcase fit nicely into the double room.  And then the best part:  a door leading to a small private garden, private as in only my room has access!  I wanted to take it right then and there just to have a garden.  The kitchen wasn't bad, typical kitchen.  The bathroom was nice, recently refinished and a seperate tiolet which is always a bonus in a flatshare.  It checked a lot of boxes but still a little too far from things, a little too pricey, and no cable....I love trashy TV too much to let that slide.  I also never met the flatmates which made me hesitant. 

Flat 2:  Stoke Newington 500 a month.  10 minutes walk to the Aresnal tube, a 10 minute walk through a very residential area, filled with mostly families.  2 out of 4 flatmates showed me around the 3 story house.  A huge double bedroom included a double bed, mint green futon,black fireplace, white wardrobe, closet, desk and bookcase...by far the biggest purple rubbish bin relic bedroom ever!  The orange curtains made me throw up but that can always be modified to something less dreadful.  The flat had 2 bathroom, a huge kitchen, living room and small garden.  2 Americans and 2 Brits share the flat, 3 men and 1 girl.  The girl questioned me over tea, how often did my boyfriend visit?  Am I loud?  What time do I come home at night?  How often do I drink?  I was an interview to be the prime and proper flatmate, I'm not.  I left knowing immediately that I could never feel comfortable living there.

Flat 3:  Borough 450 a month.  A 5 minute walk to the tube and one of my favorite markets.  It's clearly ex-council housing.  I made my way up to the flat on the 3 floor of the complex.  The landlord showed me around the small flat.  The double room included barred windows, a double bed, more rubbish bin relics of desks and bookcases.  A fridge stood in the corner of the room, theft of food has been an issue in the past.  A closet tiolet and a bigger closet for the shower.  It's a must wear shower shoes kind of shower, smashed hole in the tiles and everything.  There are two other bedrooms, one girl is traveling and padlocked her door for her trip, the other is new.  The former flatmate was kicked out because her boyfriend walked around the flat naked.  I tried in my kindest voice to tell the landloard I wasn't interested...something about bars, padlocks, and holes in the shower do not scream home to me!

Flat 4:  Mornington Crescent 465 a month.  2 blocks from the station and a close walk to Camden.  It's secure and gated.  2 British men share the flat currently.  The double room is a good size fit with all the necessities.  A seperate shower and tiolet and a good size kitchen.  The flatmate and I got along great and for the first time I felt like I could live there.  We seemed to share similar attitudes and lifestyles. 

Just a small picture of my options.  With things getting more awkward by the minute at home, I called back flat #1- TAKEN.  Flat 2 and 3:  Not an option!  Flat #4:  I am waiting.  Waiting to see if they like me too.  Flatshare viewings are the new job interview.  You put your smiling face on, try to show your personality in 10 minutes, and wait to hear if they like you too.

So I'm waiting and hoping that my suitcases will start rolling on Monday. Until then, more flathunting it is....