She’s the Consumer- Worms, Spiders and Hot Water
I just relocated back to the Triangle area of NC after 8 longgggg years away. I am so happy to be back. On top of good news with my health and a new job, a new space to create in is the cherry on top. I had over a month to locate housing but I was wanting to do so quickly so that I had time to slowly move in without the use of a UHAUL. I had been paying storage fees for years on the stuff I left in the city when I moved. It was initially only supposed to be for a year and somehow that turned into eight. Such a waste when I look back because I didn’t even end up keeping most of the stuff I had. I gave it all away. I felt so blessed to be moving and letting that stuff go became so clear. I didn’t want the old. I kept many of my decorative items but for the most part, I wanted all-new for this new journey.
I found my apartment simply by searching on the internet (owned by Preiss/TCPO) because I knew the general area I wanted to live in. They were on the list but made it back on my radar because one of my co-workers’ children had recently moved here so I decided to take a closer look when others had such long waiting lists or were at full capacity. One thing about relocating from my rent-free childhood home is that rent isn’t cheap and I wouldn’t be able to financially get the same size place I had before. So that meant a one-bedroom. With me having a business and blog I knew I needed office space and I had this fear of my office being crammed into my living room or bedroom. I saw these apartments had a sunroom option and I thought that this space would provide the extra square footage I needed that I could dedicate to my office. The housing market here is crazy right now so I knew I wasn’t ready to dive into buying a home in a rush.
So, I dropped by the apartments while in town for another appointment and not only did they have one available but it was on the first floor and newly renovated. This was like an epic score for me because I no longer wanted to live on the third floor like I did prior which I was renting. The renovation was a bonus. The clerk took me to see the apartment and while the renovation changes were nice, I will say that whoever did the work did not put excellence in their work. Unfinished and uneven molding and flooring were one thing. They painted the walls but didn’t paint the baseboards or take the time to fix the trim on the bottom of the front door. These seem like small things against the upgrades but they are things you notice when you are moving into a “new” place. Overall, I loved the apartment and the natural light provided in this particular unit because it was upfront. I could see myself in the space and see myself making it my own. So, I got all the info and went back home to do the online application.
Now it’s been years since I rented and my last apartments didn’t require as much so I will say there was an obstacle course of steps to get to the final approval. These included getting rental insurance and trying to get a rental reference from my prior apartments which always involves a call to their corporate office to complain about the lack thereof for some reason. Because I was trying to secure my apartment in order to get a lower price (some apartments now change their rates based on the day and also based on what floor you are on) I had to rush to get the electricity in my name once approved as well. But I got it all done, got approved, and that weekend I was picking up my keys and starting the move-in process.
Now, it was probably a sign the clerk had to kill an insect during the tour (I wonder if they shampooed the carpet after that? —eekkkk *lol) but my first issue with worms and spiders getting in the apartment. The same ones you see outside all over the sidewalks etc. And I didn’t have hot water in the kitchen. And my bathroom sink wouldn’t drain. I asked if the molding where the faux hardwood floors had been installed could be caulked and was told no. All they could offer was pest control visits. So, I will be honest. This is a daily chore of coming in and sweeping up any that have crept in for the day and making sure I spray myself to discourage them from coming in. When I lived in my 100-year-old childhood home I almost expected bugs to have a way in and Lord knows they were more plentiful outside too. Maybe I will get a break with that during the winter months and prayerfully I don’t get bit by anything and that that doesn’t result in anything worse. The water still isn’t “hot” anywhere in the apartment but warmer than it was when I called. But by golly, the maintenance man was able to fix the sink. I guess one out of three isn’t bad right?
Overall, I love how quiet it is. My last apartments were so noisy and the walls and floors seemed to be made of toilet tissue because the people under you were just as loud as someone living over you. There were 300 kids and they all seemed to be outside, and in the breezeways and on the sidewalks all at the same time throwing balls and who knows what else near your car. They have a set “quiet time” here and that probably helps also.
I will say the parking is tight. I mean I don’t even think you have any type of get-together here because I don’t know where they would park. And if you did then the residents would surely be scrambling for parking until they left the premises. And I don’t know if it’s due to the pandemic, but no one seems to ever go to work *lol Maybe many are working remotely because I feel like the parking lot is never NOT full. Or maybe there are more older residents who are retired who live here as well. Either way, I am not sure there are even enough parks for all the apartments as the clubhouse parking lot stays as full as the building spaces. When you come home and see that empty parking space without a reserved marker waiting for you (you can pay extra for reserved parking but spaces are limited and there were none left for my building when I moved in), you feel so accomplished! It beats having to park around the corner or down in front of another building where you can’t see your vehicle. Especially if you have things to unload or are coming in at night alone. You feel safer the closer you are to your door.
I look forward to using the gym as I had to leave my personal trainer back where I moved from and thankfully he is still trying to coordinate virtual workouts with me. I have been able to get my key fob to work so I am trying to make sure that first I know what I am doing and that it’s activated.
I look forward to the power washing and painting of the front doors they have announced is coming as well and some other enhancements around the property. There are many areas to walk for exercise and since parking is a luxury I have learned to use taking the trash out as exercise as well because you simply can’t move your car for everything here *lol
So while my experience was met with challenges, I hope it gets better and not worse. I am looking forward to new beginnings in all areas of my life and want peace tucked right in there with it.
Tell us your rental story (good or bad) in the comments. Have you recently relocated? Changed jobs? And rental challenges during the pandemic? Share your journey.
