The Housing Hunt

It's three days before my first day as a "grown-up", and I am lying on a hostel bed recuperating from the frenzy of the past two days. It's not even 8am yet, plus I was the only person in a 2-person dorm last night, so I am guaranteed up to 7 hours of privacy before someone takes the lower bunk. Thankfully this hostel comes with air conditioning, plus I can get wi-fi on my laptop (poor quality, but still free), so there is little incentive to leave anytime soon. Breakfast, maybe - though with an unintentional holiday habit of semi-starving myself till dinnertime, I coIuld probably aim for just a late lunch.

6:20am arrival at JFK two days ago, and two days of frantic Craigslist searches, emails, and viewings. Talk about getting right into the roll of things! Luckily this time around, Manhattan isn't such an unfamiliar place, and once I get to the neighbourhoods I like, I know exactly where to make my "tea = wi-fi" equation come true.

I am largely limited in housing options by my budget, so to live within a reasonable commute from Grand Central, I would have to share an apartment with other people. Alternatively, I could head up to Harlem or Washington Heights/Inwood and get a studio or one bedroom apartment. Living alone would be nice - I would certainly feel like I've "graduated from student housing" - but do I really want to live up north? I rather like lower Manhattan, and considering I will spend 3.5 hours a day on trains to get to and from work, I would at least like to be near my favourite eateries and cafes when I'm home.

Personally, I have no problem sharing an apartment with others for the most part. On the other hand, I will be disappointing everyone that expected me to have an open couch, since, you know, C is going to be in Noo Yawk, and of course she'd be obliged to house every casual acquaintance that wants to save some $$$ in the Big Apple. I have benefited from warm hospitality from friends in various places, and I do want to "pay it forward" - but only to the people that are worth it, when circumstances permit. Call me selfish if you will - in this sense, shared housing is actually a blessing!

We shall see where I wind up eventually. Goodbye for now while I enjoy some peace and quiet before another day in the city!