ongoing: adventures in real estate

[jaeclectic]

Went this evening for a second look at the loft on Park Ave in Emeryville. It definitely looks good: not perfect in all ways, but a nice space, a nice feeling.

And based on the hour and half or so that I just spent with graph paper and measurements, I think I could find a way to arrange my furniture there, although not without some challenge. Considerable challenge, in fact. It's just a very quirky space.

[Started to babble at length about details of space and what I might put where, deleted it, too too dull.]

Imperfections:
- all electric (I hate electric ranges)
- wall-to-wall carpet (I love hard floors, generally hate wall-to-wall, but at least this is grey not beige which I utterly despise)
- a bit further from BART than I'd prefer (about a mile to MacArthur, maybe a smidge more)
- windows on just one side, no through breeze, therefore probably hot in summer
- the aforementioned quirkiness of the space, which is both endearing and inconvenient

Oh, and of course it's expensive. Not out of my price range, but definitely toward the top of it.

Good features:
- very nice building, seems beautifully maintained
- just a pleasant-feeling space, I can imagine feeling at home there
- all mod cons (garage space, in-unit washer/dryer, even a walk-in closet, woo hoo!)
- if I ever happened to get a job in Emeryville, I could probably walk to work -- in the meantime, at least I'd be walking distance from the IHOP :)

Yeah, basically I just like it. Whether that makes sense or not.

So now I just have to decide if it is worth going for. Will something better (cheaper, easier, more convenient) come along? Or is this as good as it gets for the money I have to spend?

I guess I'll sleep on it...

Comments

[zabet.livejournal.com]

i may be the only one, but i rarely find musings on furniture arranging dull.

unless, of course, its dull people, but then its just dull dull dull all the time anyway.

and this, really, is just to say that i'm enjoying trailing along at a distance on your house-hunting adventures. so fun!

[jafitz.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I now feel empowered to babble at length about furniture arrangement, knowing that at least one reader may be mildly interested :)

Later, if I have time, that is.

[anaguma.livejournal.com]

Two points:

- Yes, electric stoves suck compared to gas ranges, but at least you wouldn't be using a hot plate to cook your one slice of toast like Elwood in the Blues Brothers. ;)

- What direction do the windows face? And what room(s) are they in? One thing you might want to keep in mind is whether the morning sun is going to be piercing your bedroom as stupid-o-clock in the morning. Course, if you like that, then no bother.

But...d00d. Walking distance to an IHOP?? C'mon! Match made in heaven! ;)

[jafitz.livejournal.com]

On point one: yeah, I've lived with electric stoves before, one does adapt. I suppose I shouldn't fret too much.

On point two: the windows face east, and it's basically all one room -- several levels but not full-height walls. But I have east-facing windows now, and plenty of 'em, so I know I can deal with that. Actually, since there is a building across the street, I am likely to get a lot less early morning sun than I do here.

On the footnote: actually, it is even closer to the Can't Fail Cafe, which I've only been to once but does seem like a genuinely nice thing to have in the neighborhood...

[bulieb.livejournal.com]

Does that mean we can start agitating for brunches at IHOP? Yay!