Finding a Flat to Call Home

Yesterday we spent the entire day flat hunting. We saw 9 places in 6 hours in 3 neighborhoods... what a way to spend a Tuesday!

It started off exciting... we couldn't wait to see the fun places London had to offer! The previous evening we had gone through our list of must haves: a place big enough for friends to stay, close to the Tube line, good amount of storage, nice neighborhood (extra points for a pub nearby), and a clean bathroom. Then we had a list of nice to haves: dishwasher, washer (dryer would also be nice), 2nd bedroom (not a deal breaker though) and windows for natural light. We didn't think our list was too picky but when we hadn't seen anything we really liked by the 6th one, flat hunting became exhausting and draining. We were both getting very discouraged.

The flats had up until that point been either incredibly tiny (a small kitchen/living room area, bathroom and one room big enough to fit a double bed) or in bad condition (smoker, mold on the walls, gross carpets). We found one flat that was a little small but in a great location, however Aaron's feet hung off the short bed (tall people problems haha). It seemed we were either going to have to give up on space or cleanliness... until we went into flat number 7. Two bedrooms, a huge kitchen space, large couch and living area with a fireplace, nice appliances, small patio out back, tons of storage, pub nearby and 5 minutes walking distance from a tube line. We were both sold. We put in an offer yesterday, but found out this morning that they already have another offer on the place. So now we play the waiting game. 

We didn't see any other flats that we really felt like we could live in so if we don't get this place, it will be back to the drawing board. And considering we only have our hotel until Saturday, can't open a UK bank account until we have proof of a UK permanent address, and can't get UK cell phones until we have a UK bank account, I may need to change this blog to the Homeless Newlyweds Abroad...

Trying to open a UK bank account has been another nightmare in itself but I'll save that story for another post. Here's to hoping for some good news soon!!