We're moving again! Previously, we lived in a 2 bedroom, 2 floor townhouse. It was really nice, and we loved it, except as we actually lived in it, we realized that a 2 (3 if you count going down to the parking lot) floor townhouse wasn't really for us. It's not that we're lazy and going up and down the stairs is exhausting, (which it can be if you keep forgetting things on different floors) but it was generally uncomfortable. Some people might like it because you can separate certain parts of your lives. Very personal spaces like the bedroom and personal bathroom is upstairs, while kitchen and living room where you would entertain guests are on the main floor. In my head it sounds perfect. Of course I want to separate my personal space with guest space. We even had friends over almost every weekend, but even so we realized that it didn't really matter to us and that maybe we would've preferred if everything was on one floor. I guess in my heart, I was always more of a bungalow person with everything you need on one floor. It feels more intimate and somehow it gives a better sense of the space we call "home".
We moved out of the townhouse because we realized we couldn't stay there for a bunch of reasons, but mainly it was the rent. Rent was pretty ridiculous and it made it so much harder for us to save. I should've realized that before, but oh well. We live and learn. So we moved out, and into.. well it was supposed to be into the newly renovated basement in my parents house, but because of some really annoying construction delays, we moved into my old room which is being used as a storage room for boxes and stuff. Normally, my room could only fit a single bed and a small table with a little room to breathe, but with the storage stuff, Jun, myself and our dog Hana, there was none. Hana and I barely fit on the bed, Jun slept on the floor and that's how we lived survived for over a month and learned the definition of cabin fever.
We searched for a new place immediately, which carried on for months. There were a few close calls, and some spaces we really wanted but you know if you really want it, you're probably not the only one. We weren't winners for any of those. Sometimes spaces got rented out before we even had a chance to see it. Such is the renter's scene in Toronto. Competition is fierce. (Let me explain something - we were looking for a very specific living arrangement. Condos/apartments were out of the question. There are plenty of condo options, but we wanted to live in a house. It's the competition for renting a 1-2 bedroom on a floor/basement in a house in Toronto that is fierce.) Countless hours were spent searching and visiting, money was spent on gas, needs and parameters were changed at least 5 times, minds were changed about moving at all at least 10 times - in the way people say "well.. it's not THAT bad, right?", and we were about to lose hope WHEN someone Jun knows let us know that they were moving out of their highly talked about, awesome walk-out basement.
The location was farther than I had hoped from public transit, or work, but the commute time (1.5 hours) is what I've been doing almost my entire life so it was no big deal. Just a part of living in Toronto I guess. But this place hit almost all my basic needs.
1. Quiet neighbourhood - Located on a crescent, probably the quietest type of street. = *CHECK*
2. Backyard (asking for a lot as is but I dreamed of a fenced in walk-out) - HUGE FENCED IN WALK-OUT = *CHECK*
3. 1 bedroom - I was only hoping for 1, but our new place has 3! = *CHECK*
4. 1200 util incl. - 1200+1/3 util but cable + internet is included so it's not bad at all for a 3 bdrm walkout! = *CHECK*
WINNER = Jun + Angela
So I said "almost" because originally I wanted to look for a place closer to work around Leslieville (which wasn't working out) and we still have to pay 1/3 utilities. It's not bad, but I was hoping for a painless all-inclusive rent. Despite that, the place is pretty perfect.
Amazing right? But this also happened not without a bit of heartache. As soon as we found out it was available, we also found out the same day that it was unavailable. Fierce I tell you. But the new tenant had luggage problems coming over from Korea, and I don't really know/care about the details because all that mattered was that a week later, it was AVAILABLE again and we had to see it IMMEDIATELY because someone else was going to see it the next day, and would most likely take it. That's how awesome the place is. You don't even have to see it to want it.
The space lived up to my expectations. It's awesome. I couldn't have asked for better. It's spacious, cozy, walk-out, fireplace, everything we need is a 10 minute drive away - including my bus to get to work. Currently I have to drive 15-20 minutes to get to the station to get to work. We immediately nodded our heads like a couple of clucking chickens and signed the contract.
*insert silent and inward moment of intense celebration of victory in all the lame poses you can imagine*
I got so excited, the next day I drew the layout so we can plan the space properly and took measurements at the next visit. I'm hoping to spend as little money as possible for renovations and furniture needs by making/finding/buying second hand items. It should be fun!
