I've made a firm decision. I'm going to look for a place that has a lower monthly overhead and is a little less "fancy". I still want to live in an old building around the turn of the century (1900s), but I'm not going to pay over 1,000 Euros a month cold for it. I don't think it would prove my creativity or my ability to transform anything if I go out and take the top of the line apartment because how creative do you need to be to make it nice?
My current place is a newer building, most of my friends would not live in a newer building - these apartments are so "basic" and "boring" lacking any character. I gave this apartment character. And it is too small for us but I still love coming home at night because this apartment has my personality ingrained into it because I've decorated it in a very authentic way.
But once I cross over 1,100 Euros per month for the base rent, and then tack on the extras like heat and hallway cleaning, hot water, etc. that means in dollars I'm paying well over $2,000 USD per month and though I can live "large" here for that, and I can afford it, I've asked myself lately DO I WANT TO AFFORD IT? Do I want to watch $24,000 dollars a year slip out of my bank account for something I am not invested in when I want to travel and work on my book and invest my time and energy into
living my life not racking up bills and paying them all over again?
So now... I'm daring myself and challenging myself to stretch my dollar here. I'm simply NOT going to give in to my emotions and I'm going to look for a place that is between 650-1,050 per month. And I'm not crossing the line or else I'll simply stay in my current one bedroom apartment and I'll eventually buy a place if we decide to stay in Hannover long term. I want to dare myself to find a great place with good bones that may need a little renovating or love... or that isn't "posh" and make it into my home just like I did with our current little nest. And I am sticking to my top five list and I'm not budging. I am determined. It needs to be in an old building, I need a tub, a balcony, wood floors and high ceilings.
I am making an appointment to see another place this week, and we're calling around and pushing forward. I want what I want on MY terms. I have larger goals set for myself that do not include renting forever, so I'm sticking to my guns.
Well I'm off to a little antiques and "junk" market so I'll see you sometime this week with more updates on our search. :)
P.S. My white Narcissus "Bridal Crown" are blooming. Aren't they lovely?
(image: holly becker for haus maus)
Comments
I'm with you when it comes to paying crazy amounts of money for what you actually don't own and I'm definitely going to own some lovely place in or around Hanover one day. So why waste money?
And you do have that advantage of knowing who you want to spend the rest of your life with!
good luck with the search and I hope this time you have more success! xo
I keep my fingers crossed for you. And as you say: Your current home is a lovely one (even if it lacks certain "features) and there is no need to pressure yourself!
I've lowered my budget considerably and have also decided to not budge on the things that really matter to me.
The flowers look lovely, remind me that spring is coming (sometime???) It's so cold and icy here in the Stuttgart area...
Ps. I may just be a naive little american girl, but what is hallway cleaning?
And guess who bought the SAME cute pot of mini daffodils from Rewe on Saturday night?! They are great! Although ours are not blossoming yet... :)
don't let the search discourage you. you'll find the right place!
have a great week!
I also rent a cold-white-lifeless but large appartment in the center of Paris. I did not like it and didn't decorate it during first months.
But then, I realized that I'm saving a lot of money thanks to this flat (rent is 500 euros, no more! 55 m² !) so I decided to invest little money on decorating it and looking for great ideas... I went on decor 8.
And here on Haus Maus I can see you're just thinking the same thing... you're my mentor, Holly !
and what i really love, is that you are "daring" yourself...what a refreshing outlook, Holly.
So positive, and refreshing, and healthy.
You'll get what your searching for. You have the right attitude. :)
I would live (and do live now) in a place like this. After having problems with heating, water, pipes, old windows (from a fancy old apartment, uneven floor and walls...new(er) places also have some advantages: they cost less energy, maybe have floor heating, new windows, new bathroom