The Apartment Search

I'm still here. It seems this thing is only getting updated about weekly now. So be it, I guess.

I have spent a lot of time the past two weeks beginning my search for an apartment. I want to move somewhere in Minneapolis, closer to work and the bus line, sometime in the next few months. I don't mind living at home, as I really do get along with my parents, but I think finding a place is the next step in my transition to "real life"

I can see this is going to be a challenge. I don't know of any folks looking for places at the moment, so I'm looking for somewhere alone. I don't want to go the random roommate route--It works for some, but is not something I would generally be comfortable with.

My criteria are pretty simple: studio or one bedroom, within a block or two of the busline, and semi-accessible...enough that I could bring my scooter home if the need arose and get it in the building.

Problem: Most of the buildings in the areas I'd like to live, at least in my price range, are old...thus they have no elevators and lots of stairs, including in the building entryways. That is not going to work. Mom and I drove around various neighborhoods in the city yesterday, and we noticed that was the situation in many cases. We also stopped in to see a free rental consultant who confirmed that finding a place I can afford that meets those seemingly simple criteria may be difficult...most places will meet one or two, but not all three.

I did tour one studio in a building she referred me to that *might* be coming open in June. The owner was checking availability and I have to follow up tomorrow. It seemingly fits all my basic criteria, but I am not sure I was "feeling it." The layout of the place reminded me so much of my old single with bath dorm room in Maple...it was larger, but the room was shaped the same way and I just didn't get a very "homey" vibe from it. I've got calls and emails out to some other properties as well, and am hoping to be able to set up some more showings this week or next. I want to get a better idea of what else is out there.

Wish me luck!

Spring Break

This week the U of M has been on Spring Break.

Contrary to popular belief, I have not gotten a Spring Break. I've worked this week. What does a University employee do in a student services office when there are no students around, you ask?

Clean, organize, go through old files...all good things to do, but I will be glad for a day off tomorrow!

TGI (my) F!

I Have Not Disappeared

So, I've been a bit MIA from the blog lately. I notice it has been 10 days since my last update. I've been busy with work, and distracted by other things. But, I assure you, dear readers, that I haven't disappeared and everything is fine.

Hopefully, I will have time to catch up with reading, writing and commenting in the next few days. For now, I'm preparing to leave for a quick, last minute jaunt to Grandma's with Mom...down today, back tomorrow...lots of time in the car for us.

Have a good weekend out there!

Dems Battle it Out

Well, it looks like half the 2008 presidential race is figured out. McCain clinched the Republican nod...no major surprise there.

On the Democratic side, it appears Hillary has a slight bump in momentum, but Obama is still ahead in delegates and neither is yet close to the number needed to secure their nomination.

My opinion? A McCain-Clinton match up would be far less interesting than McCain-Obama. Clinton and McCain are two "old pols" it seems...Obama may provide more contrast. It's time for a new generation in the "upper level" of American Politics.

It'll be interesting to see the rest of this race play out.

See more political coverage from CNN