For the past two years, my apartment building has been going through a remodel. As people move out, the apartments are given a full face-lift. I have been steadfastly holding out from the remodel (primarily to preserve my low rental rate), however, by September, I was starting to get the feeling that my days were numbered and I would be getting a notice informing me of a higher rent (a thinly veiled attempt to get me to move out). As most of you know, I really, really like my corner unit studio. I have a great view, and on the nights that the guy downstairs isn't practicing "Bohemian Rhapsody" on his guitar, it is pretty quiet. So, in a fabulous moment of genius, I negotiated a deal with my landlord in which I would move into the apartment next door while mine was remodeled. I even got the contractor and his henchmen to move all my furniture and boxes!! The apartment was finished in four weeks and it came out really well. I do have to pay $75/month more in rent, but I don't mind. As Rose pointed out, I am saving like 3 hours a week by not having to wash dishes by hand, and isn't that alone worth $75?
I need to give a special shout-out to Chris, who flew here from Utah and spent the Wednesday before Thanksgiving moving all of my stuff back into the newly remodeled place. I wasn't even there to help!! I had to work and when I came home from the office, it was done. How amazing is that?
Here are some "before" and "after" photos:
