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A tale of two Sh*tties
Nov. 22nd, 2006 10:58 pmSince our rent is being raised some $45 this month, we decided to look in to some cheaper apartments in our area, see if maybe moving to a smaller/different location could save us some money AND let us feel superior to Those Bastards who dared to raise our rent.
First place we looked at was up near our favorite Value Village, and cost nearly $100 LESS than what we are currently paying for rent. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, townhome-style with the bedrooms up stairs. Nice neighborhood with some pretty swanky suburban homes and fancery-looking apartment complexes, our hearts were full of hope as we searched for the address from the comfort of our car. And then we saw it; the GHETTO of the neighborhood, our prospective apartment complex.
Originally built in the late 60's/early 70's as a two-story hotel (3 rectangular box-style buildings surrounding a pool in the center), this complex was obviously retro-fitted to become an apartment complex some time in the 80's and then re-designed and re-modeled in the early 90's to become "Town Homes" joining the up stairs with the down stairs. VERY small; I could touch the opposing walls of the living room at the same time while standing in the middle of the room. And the kitchen was designed in such a clever way that you could open the oven, the dishwasher AND the refrigerator... just not at the same time. Baseboard heaters and the single cable outlet sealed the deal for us - this apartment was not for us.
Second place we went to look at was a two-bedroom, one-bath townhome with some 200 MORE square feet than the apartment we are currently in, for $15 LESS per month than we are currently paying! Hardwood floors, large living room, spacious kitchen, two decks (one down stairs and one up-stairs off the master bedroom)... it was pretty much everything we could ever hope for! Unfortunately, it was about a block off of Evergreen Way on Casino Road.
This is the section of Everett mostly known for the drive-by shootings and 24-hour easily accesable crack dealers for your convenience. All the wonderous details of the apartment? We learned them by peering through the window, past the sherrif's eviction notice and piles of debris in the side-yard and parking lot. Neighbors in adjoining townhomes seemed to be a cross-section of characters from "8 Mile", "Deliverance" and a randon Frat House.
So in short! A crappy apartment in a great neighborhood, and a great apartment in a crappy neighborhood.
Looks like we're staying where we are for another year :(
First place we looked at was up near our favorite Value Village, and cost nearly $100 LESS than what we are currently paying for rent. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, townhome-style with the bedrooms up stairs. Nice neighborhood with some pretty swanky suburban homes and fancery-looking apartment complexes, our hearts were full of hope as we searched for the address from the comfort of our car. And then we saw it; the GHETTO of the neighborhood, our prospective apartment complex.
Originally built in the late 60's/early 70's as a two-story hotel (3 rectangular box-style buildings surrounding a pool in the center), this complex was obviously retro-fitted to become an apartment complex some time in the 80's and then re-designed and re-modeled in the early 90's to become "Town Homes" joining the up stairs with the down stairs. VERY small; I could touch the opposing walls of the living room at the same time while standing in the middle of the room. And the kitchen was designed in such a clever way that you could open the oven, the dishwasher AND the refrigerator... just not at the same time. Baseboard heaters and the single cable outlet sealed the deal for us - this apartment was not for us.
Second place we went to look at was a two-bedroom, one-bath townhome with some 200 MORE square feet than the apartment we are currently in, for $15 LESS per month than we are currently paying! Hardwood floors, large living room, spacious kitchen, two decks (one down stairs and one up-stairs off the master bedroom)... it was pretty much everything we could ever hope for! Unfortunately, it was about a block off of Evergreen Way on Casino Road.
This is the section of Everett mostly known for the drive-by shootings and 24-hour easily accesable crack dealers for your convenience. All the wonderous details of the apartment? We learned them by peering through the window, past the sherrif's eviction notice and piles of debris in the side-yard and parking lot. Neighbors in adjoining townhomes seemed to be a cross-section of characters from "8 Mile", "Deliverance" and a randon Frat House.
So in short! A crappy apartment in a great neighborhood, and a great apartment in a crappy neighborhood.
Looks like we're staying where we are for another year :(
