flat life.
A lot of people have been requesting more photos of the new flat, so without further ado…
The Lounge & Kitchen
The kitchen is by far the most complete room of the house with a microwave, matching dishes (a first for me), and bar stool. We even have a cookie jar!
This is what dinner looks like in the kitchen.
The lounge really doesn't have anything in it just yet. Just a small collection of books that we have been amassing along with picture frames from the local op shop.
The Bedroom
Jess' Office
This photo was taken prior to our move in, just imagine a bunch of cables, SD cards, and toys scattered about the floor and you have a pretty accurate image of what it looks like now.
Seth's Office
Pretty much the same goes for Seth's office. Though you should also imagine these curtains as green as I swapped out the green set in my office with the yellow set in his. He also uses this room as his closet so there are a bunch of nerdy t-shirts and suits.
Bathroom
Fie! Fie! We were cursed with the dreaded European tap!
Toilet
Yes, the toilet is in it's own room. We have asked around and from what we understand, though a bit outdated, this is as common in New Zealand as basement bathrooms are in Pittsburgh.
Outside
The dryer and our landlord's cat.
The garden and lemon tree. Seth's coworker, Carla, provided us with this lovely tomato plant and the entire technical writing team chipped in to get us a gift card to the local garden center so expect many more plants in the future.
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It's interesting, many people have made comments about everything being larger in the United States, but so far all of the homes we've seen have been larger (and nicer) than their American counterparts. Sure, rent is outrageous, but you are paying to live on a gorgeous island in a beautiful house. Well worth it I think.
I would also like to note that this particular flat is actually in about the same range as my Pittsburgh apartment. Yes, it is more expensive, yes, it is far larger, but in terms of the market they are both the first price point up from total-dump to "hey, I could actually have company over." If you go any lower down in price you will still probably get a place of similar size, but the quality will be poor. Think mold, crappy landlords, and drafts.
If you would like the address of our new abode please send me a private message.
PS: I said I'd keep you updated on the Ranch situation and let me say, it is still dismal. If you feel compelled to send me a care package of dry Ranch dressing packets, who am I to stop you?
The Lounge & Kitchen
The kitchen is by far the most complete room of the house with a microwave, matching dishes (a first for me), and bar stool. We even have a cookie jar!
This is what dinner looks like in the kitchen.
The lounge really doesn't have anything in it just yet. Just a small collection of books that we have been amassing along with picture frames from the local op shop.
The Bedroom
Jess' Office
This photo was taken prior to our move in, just imagine a bunch of cables, SD cards, and toys scattered about the floor and you have a pretty accurate image of what it looks like now.
Seth's Office
Pretty much the same goes for Seth's office. Though you should also imagine these curtains as green as I swapped out the green set in my office with the yellow set in his. He also uses this room as his closet so there are a bunch of nerdy t-shirts and suits.
Bathroom
Fie! Fie! We were cursed with the dreaded European tap!
Toilet
Yes, the toilet is in it's own room. We have asked around and from what we understand, though a bit outdated, this is as common in New Zealand as basement bathrooms are in Pittsburgh.
Outside
The dryer and our landlord's cat.
The garden and lemon tree. Seth's coworker, Carla, provided us with this lovely tomato plant and the entire technical writing team chipped in to get us a gift card to the local garden center so expect many more plants in the future.
------------------
It's interesting, many people have made comments about everything being larger in the United States, but so far all of the homes we've seen have been larger (and nicer) than their American counterparts. Sure, rent is outrageous, but you are paying to live on a gorgeous island in a beautiful house. Well worth it I think. I would also like to note that this particular flat is actually in about the same range as my Pittsburgh apartment. Yes, it is more expensive, yes, it is far larger, but in terms of the market they are both the first price point up from total-dump to "hey, I could actually have company over." If you go any lower down in price you will still probably get a place of similar size, but the quality will be poor. Think mold, crappy landlords, and drafts.
If you would like the address of our new abode please send me a private message.
PS: I said I'd keep you updated on the Ranch situation and let me say, it is still dismal. If you feel compelled to send me a care package of dry Ranch dressing packets, who am I to stop you?
