Finding a Flat

We were up again at seven in the morning for the grand opening of flat hunting. It really is set up like a bizarre little real-life game. Over one hundred kids are gathered in a room, given very useful tips about traveling around London and finding a flat (packed into a span on 1.25 hours), split into smaller groups for a briefing about London geography and neighborhoods, given a top secret list of flats that fit our needs and roughly our budgets, and then let loose, all at once, to secure a place to live. Alliances are made, deals are broken and plans are formed all within the first half hour of mayhem.

Bri and I weren’t sure who else we were living with. For a bit, a place with a few other CMDers (that’s Communications Designers for future reference) looked probable, but right before we split into smaller groups I find that they had a group of four all set. After thinking it over, the two of us decided that we could find a group easily that needed two more people if we had to, but in the mean time we’d look at places with the group of four to get our bearings. Another CMDer and her friend had the same idea, and we all got together making a group of eight girls.

The list contained names and descriptions of flats that are furnished and that are available for rent for only four months (as opposed to the usual six) and names and phone numbers of the landlords. After discussing our game-plan the eight of us decided the best way to go was to grab one of the English helper people to guide us around the city. To my delight the young gentleman we were given was none other than Louis, the chap from yesterday that suggested a stroll down to the Thames. In no time we had made an appointment across town in a half an hour to see our first flat.

With Louis on our side we were able to find the tube stop, get tickets, catch a train and find the correct meeting point with time to spare. Louis knew everything. He could tell us the best routs, the pros and cons of the neighborhoods, the characters of the individual landlords, and so on. I am absolutely amazed how he politely whisked a group of eight flabbergasted and clueless American females across the town without us getting run over, lost, mugged, starved or even late.

We saw a total of six flats in roughly seven hours. Louis explained the workings of London transportation. We got to ride the tube, catch a double decker bus, and even ride in black taxis. Louis said he’d never suggest we catch a taxi given how much they cost, but the real estate agency was nice enough to pay for our rides.

Our little group ended looking at eight person and four person flats. When we started out no one had agreed on specific living arrangements, but once we saw the first eight person flat we realized that finding a place that could fit all of us was very do-able. We could find a bed for everyone.

Somehow every flat we saw was nicer than the first, culminating in what Bri and I thought was a little too nice with shiny floors, a flat screen TV and leather couches. It was between this one, and the one we ended up going with that the group had a lively debate over. We were split almost down the middle with who wanted which place. It was a tough conversation because people who had never met each other before this morning now had a say in where everyone was going to live for the next four months.

The flat we decided on is the one I had fallen in love with. It has a beautiful red brick exterior. The stairs (all five flights if you don’t take the elevator) are green carpeted with Frank Lloyd Wright-esque windows. Inside the flat the floors are wooden and the rooms are spacious. We have two full baths and a total of four bedrooms. Somehow magically the rooms split up elegantly into who was willing to share with whom with one three-bedder, two two-bedders, and one single. We have internet. We have furniture. We have a washer/dryer. We might even have a cleaning service. We are around the corner to grocery shops and a tube stop. All and all, we are about 15 min from the happening part of London and I’d estimate about 25 from our classes. Sounds good!

Ok. Now I have to get dressed and sign that lease. We have a list of things we need to get done today, but thankfully, find a place to live is all taken care of. A good thing too, my feet and legs are so sore. I hope everything is well with you all. Don’t feel shy leaving me a comment here, on facebook or via my e-mail. Much love! Cheers!