Anyone who knows me well knows that I hate apartment hunting. Hate it. It’s far too stressful. Throw into the equation a super-tight rental market in Vancouver (2010 Olympics, anyone?), and things only get worse.
I found an ad yesterday afternoon that had been posted earlier the same day. Everything sounded great. A bit pricey, but a great location in a neighborhood development that’s little more than a year old. I talked to the couple who own it, and originally made plans to see it on Monday night. But something about waiting that long felt, well, wrong. So after I hung up the phone, I made a decision. I phoned them back, made an arrangement to see it that same evening, and did just that. I jumped in a cab and - with the wind in my hair - headed on over. When “The Ryan” wants something, “The Ryan” gets it!
(That glorified molehill in the distance is SFU. Oh, the irony of waking up to it every morning. Very funny, Jesus!)
The owners turned out to be a young couple in their early 30s - they just got married and are now living elsewhere together. We hit it off right away. I learned on my way out that since posting the ad that morning, their phone had been ringing off the hook. Non-stop. That’s how tight the market is. I had a sinking feeling as I said my goodbyes. Would they really pick me? Did I laugh a little too much?
When they phoned this morning to offer me the place, I wanted to cry. I have seen so many dark, old, shitty apartments in the past few weeks that the opportunity to live in a gorgeous, secure building (for literally only $100/month more than most places) seemed too good to be true. The headache was over.
Better yet. Literally steps from the complex is a whole “village” of shops. Save-On Foods, a liquor store, a bakery, banks, Starbucks, Subway, Shoppers Drug Mart, and (wait for it…) a BC Lotto-run “Gaming Room.” I had a good laugh when I went inside for a look. It’s not quite a casino - there are no slots - but they do offer Bingo, pull-tabs, and Keno! Sweet Jesus, thou art merciful. I know where my Friday nights will be spent! Liquor and Keno, Keno and liquor! Hoo hoo ha ha ha hee hee wheee!
I signed a one-year lease. After the jump, you can see the apartment for yourself. It’s small - just a bachelor suite - but that’s all I need. Best of all: the building is like Fort Knox. And it has a gym. And a hot tub.
Photos below. Click click click!
July 6th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Congrats. When’s the housewarming party? Will I get a chance to meet Ronda?
July 6th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Exciting! And very pretty. Does it have any of those elusive in-suite laundry machines? Even if you have to wash your clothes with the plebs, though, that’s still a really awesome find in the current rental market. I’ve been casually looking at different places for the past little while, and it sometimes seems like the only available places are either in Surrey or in the ridiculously expensive condos in Yaletown.
July 6th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Yup. In-suite laundry! (One of those stacked “tower” units tucked away in one of the closets.) And I agree: finding anything decent in Burnaby is WAY tough. This was pure luck on my part. It all came together quickly. Less than 24 hours between finding the ad and signing the lease.
July 6th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Your apartmet is GORGEOUS. I know you’ll enjoy it to the fullest
July 7th, 2008 at 4:13 am
Congratulations on the new place. Looks great. Glad to see it comes with wine glasses. Very important.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:51 am
I’m waiting for the first picture you take of yourself in that bathroom mirror. Oh, and when are we all invited to crash on your sofa?
July 7th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
That is good news, well done!
July 9th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
WOW! Congrats. And it even comes with a pool! Kinda tough to maneuver around those weird metal bits though.