Sunday, May 13, 2007
KISMET!
Sometimes the stars align just right, and things really go your way. Today was one of those days!While I absolutely LOVE the area that I live in and LOVE my loft, I've been having lots of problems with noise. The walls are super-thing and I can hear people when they're talking out in the hall, when they're waiting for the elevator, and most of all, I hear the 6 year screaming frequently at all hours of the morning, day, and night. I've been woken up from sleep on so many occasions that I couldn't even tell you how many times at this point. I also recently had a rather uncomfortable confrontation with my male neighbor (father of said 6 year old), when I had friends over *laughing* on a Saturday night. It's just out of control here...so it's (of course) time for me to leave.
I also recognize that I'm difficult to live with. A roommate situation is just not ideal for me, and I've realized that an apartment complex has it's own...complexities. It's just impossible to tell what the noise level will be like, what your next door neighbors will be like, etc. I'm fussy too, I want what I want and mostly that's peace and quiet. So I realized that the only living situation that's going to work for me is a house. So I started looking.
I'm not in a position to buy right now, so renting is my only option for the next year or so. Renting a house is CRAZY expensive, but I found that north of Boston you can find some good deals. I've been keeping my eye open, but being stuck in a lease until September 1 means I'll be paying double rent...so I had to be careful to not rush into anything. HA.
Then, the perfect house literally fell into my lap.
My dad called me and said that my uncle Vincent said the house across the street from him is for rent. Now, my uncle Vincent lives in the Belvedere section of Lowell, which is right on the Andover line and pretty ritzy. I figured it would be way out of my range, but it's not - I can afford it!
I went to look at it and immediately fell in love. The house is now owned by the daughter of a couple that lived there for 55 years. The father recently passed away and the mother is in a home, so she rents the place out. The house is literally right across the street from my uncle! P, the daughter, used to babysit my cousins. There's also a gal who came to my recent concert series that lives two doors down. My father did work on her house and she told me at the concert how much she loved my dad.
P and I immediately hit it off and she said she just felt like I belonged in that house, and I felt like I did too. She offered it to me tonight and I accepted, and I can move in anytime. Here it is:
I love, love, love this house! The first floor is a living room, dining room, kitchen, office space (with lots of windows, shelving and sunlight!), a sitting room, and a half bath. The second floor is a master bedroom, 2 smaller bedrooms, and the master bath. The third floor is a walk-up attic that could easily be turned into another room, but that I'll gladly use for storage. There's also a washer-dryer in the basement (with a bulkhead). The lawn is immaculate - beautiful lush green grass. The backyard is HUGE with plenty of room for Julip to run around and for me to have BBQs!
The inside is a little stuck in the 70s in places, but nothing that a few coats of paint can't modify over a weekend. Oh, and there's a full working fireplace in the living room too!
The house could easily be rented for at least $1500 more than they're asking, but she really just wants someone respectful that will take care of her parent's home. I just can't believe it all happened today, and I'm so excited to move in. A WHOLE HOUSE. I can have guests STAY OVER and have parties and not worry about bothering my noisy neighbors. Plus, it's SUPER easy to get to off of both 93 and 495 with plenty of street and driveway parking.
I'm going to have a "painting party" - complete with pizza and beer and fun music. So if any of you like to paint and want to help turn this place into the contemporary awesomeness I know it will be, please let me know. I PROMISE I won't ask for ANY help moving. The painting is just something that's always more fun with more people. :) And plus, y'all know I loathe painting. lol
I'm *SO* excited about this. My only thing is that I wish it were just a bit further South towards Boston, but with a house this great, I'd be crazy to pass it up. So yipee! I'm moving again!
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Congratulations! This house is huge. Let us know when the painting party is. We'll do our best to be there and help out.
Jennifer
Woohoo! What a fabulous place! Can't wait to see more. And of course, you can count on me for painting help. Congrats!
Thanks, ladies! I'm so, so, so excited about this house. I can't wait for you to see it! I think I'm going to do the painting thing either Saturday 5/26 or Sat 6/2. I'll do an evite, of course! Thanks for the offer to help. My friends rock!