… talk about my new home. i’m back in the city (yeah) after a three month stint in the northern suburbs (almost an hour drive from my eastern suburban job). i was not quite prepared for the sticker shock (though this city is by far incredibly cheaper to live in than most cities in the country) in the trendy area i lived in before moving to ithaca last year.

i had been seriously spoiled by my last landlord in this city, because i lived there for years and he never raised my rent except for two times. plus heat and a garage (something one can truly appreciate in this lake effect snow city) were included in the rent and well, i was only paying $455 by the time i moved. and the apartment was immaculate. spoiled, i know.

so that was never going to happen now, i realized very quickly. and i really wanted much more room and space this time. i’m tired of living in one bedroom apartments where all my stuff is squirreled away or piled atop one another in boxes (after all, i am a writer, photographer, musician, and have been known to paint, draw and make jewelry).

i expanded my realm of possible areas in which i would consider living–allentown perhaps? maybe just the other side of richmond? near the zoo and delaware park? or even one of those new lofts downtown or on main street (specifically for artists).

i did check into the artist lofts and although i am sure they were lovely and affordable, the problem is that there was no parking (in an area i wouldn’t want to walk too far by myself at night–well, that’s pretty true anywhere in the city as far as i am concerned) and the rent was based on income. i wasn’t comfortable giving out all my info to get approved and then having to move when my income goes up in a year or two (which it will based on my contract). so that was out. so were the much more expensive lofts farther downtown. ah well–perhaps those for when i’m higher on the payscale (some are condos).

i looked around a bit but quickly realized that any decent place in the e-village area i used to live in was scooped up almost instantaneously. and they were basically all one-bedrooms.

then i called the place i am currently living in. it’s within steps from the music hall (very convenient for me during concert weeks) and also the karpeles. the landlord actually knows one of my friends (a plus, since i always worry about scumbag landlords who don’t fix things) and bought this house at auction. so. he warned me before i came to look at it that the siding on the house was being pulled off to replace it. but it wasn’t done and it looks like shit. okay. well, we’ll see.

d went with me and  as soon as i walked in, i was overtaken by the light. it was an open floor plan in most of the apartment, with tall windows that go from almost the floor to the ceilings. a large ornate chandelier was hanging in the main room (which would have been a dining room originally) from a round carved centerpiece attached to the ceiling. nice architectural detail. it was the openess and light that i loved immediately. if i couldn’t have a loft, here was the next best thing.

i signed a lease two days later, after returning to inspect things some more.  there are some things, now, living here, that i am not happy with (the work wasn’t done in some places to the standards i would expect of myself, but…it’s not like i bought the house)

basically he gutted the front two rooms and re-did the walls. fresh paint (not all in white either–but my colors–muted green, taupe/khaki, blue), brand new appliances, re-finished hardwood floors, stripped wall with exposed brick in the living room and bathroom. slate and tile kitchen and bath. new ornate (to fit the victorian era the house was probably built in) marble vanity in the bathroom and new fixtures. new plumbing, new furnace, new windows, new countertops (though the kitchen cabinets leave a lot to be desired–the exception being the old glass cabinets—which have too many coats of paint on them, but still they are charming–need to be stripped though).

three bedrooms–a large one in the front area–which really should be the living room but since i don’t have formal dining room furniture (well, except for my two china cabinets–one my grandma’s and one my great aunt’s) i made the dining room the living room and the living room my bedroom. there is an archway between them but you can basically see straight from the bedroom all the way to the back of the flat, in the kitchen. which i like, as i’ve mentioned.

i have a dressing screen that my father made for me, which i’ve never really been able to use, so that works nicely at the archway, to afford a bit of privacy (though since it’s only me i don’t need it). and i also have plans for the new bed i’ve ordered, and some wall coverings, to add some coziness.

the back bedroom is my office (yeah) and music room. i can actually set up all my instruments and leave them out. so much nicer than having to drag things out to play.

my dad also has possession currently of my antique drafting table which is going to fit perfectly in the large living room, or i’ve even considered putting it in my bedroom because that room has the most natural light. we shall see.

i have parking, and a small deck in back (all summer long i plan on drinking my morning coffee sitting on that deck) and i have a laundry room RIGHT OFF MY BEDROOM. yes. that’s the best part. brand new washer and dryer in what amounts to a large walk-in closet.

the third bedroom i plan to keep empty. free of anything. it’s going to be my dance/meditation room.

and they always say you should make space for things in your life…

so that’s what i’m doing.