Oh, the difference a day makes.
Yesterday when we kissed goodbye (read: I squealed annoyedly from the shower as James left the apartment door to hang wide open while he put on his snow boots), James and I made plans to meet our new landlord at the corner Starbucks on some faraway Upper West Side block to sign our new lease. Over the weekend we found a one-bedroom apartment on the 5th floor of a beautiful building just blocks away from our current place with views of the neighborhood and more sunlight than I’ve maybe ever seen in a New York apartment. I’ll spare you the plans I had for the beautiful picture rail and foot-deep windowsills.
Some things are apparently not meant to be, and at 5:00 pm we received a call saying that our lease signing had been cancelled and the apartment would be rented to a tenant currently living in the building instead.
It’s a cruel, cruel rental world, friends. (There’s the much sadder story of our nephew’s babysitter who was scammed (yes, literally) out of her first month’s rent and security on Saturday, but I might breakdown if I type that out here).
So. There’s never been a better time to focus instead on our coping skills. Well, mine anyway. Lots more about the tiny abode including NEVER SEEN BEFORE photos, over on Remodelista.
32 Comments
sorry you didn't get the apartment that you want/need I hope you can find something before your baby arrives
Thanks so much, Karen!
How awful! So sorry you guys are on the hunt once again. Let's find you a meant-to-be location!
Thanks, Jessica!
Oh no, sorry to hear your sad tale. Apartment hunting just plain sucks, and it is hellish the world over. But I always took solace in the fact that every apartment that fell through for me was just not meant to be mine…maybe there was a crazy nearby neighbour in that building who you now won't have to deal with?! Or maybe someplace even better is just waiting for you…
Yes! Been crafting elaborate daydreams about ogre neighbor we'll be happier to never know!
I'm so sorry. I know how incredibly discouraging not getting the place you want can be. But every time I didn't get the place I really wanted it was because there something better waiting for me. I'm sure it'll be that way for you guys.
i am so sorry, erin. i shall pee on the rental gods' altar on your behalf if i happen upon it.
Please do!
I'm sorry to hear this. It's so easy for agents and landlords to forget they're letting down real people, not paper applications. My brother and his girlfriend are going through the same thing right now.
I'm glad you have beautiful flowers to lift your mood.
That's such a bummer. My husband and I are just floating from one short-term sublet to another all around Brooklyn until we can find something solid. Renting in NY is the pits, but you'll find something eventually!
ugh, so sorry that you lost the place, Erin. Hoping for you. In the meantime i don't mind seeing more shots of your current place :))
Thanks so much, Dervla!
also, PS the bulbs in the jar? Gorgeous.
That really stinks, I'm so sorry. I hope you find something great that works for you SOON!!
Bummer on the apartment! Always love the new photos of your tiny apartment. And the flowers are amazing. Impossible to find in my area. Stuck with dipped in dye-like flowers. Ugh.
Oy! You'll have to force you're own from the bulbs!
That really breaks my heart for you guys. I know y'all were so thrilled. I'll spare you the "everything happens for a reason" speech, but I'm truly hoping that you find a better place soon š
Erin, I am so sorry that happened to you! I had just about had it with apartment renting when my boyfriend's decided to invest in a condo and ask us to rent it from them. We had only been in our apartment at the time for 5 months and couldn't WAIT to get out. Worst. Landlord. EVER. Before landing that apartment, I may or may not have gone through a mini meltdown of, "WE ARE NEVER GOING TO FIND ANYTHING!". I totally feel your pain, but I do have faith that the right place will come along! š
Oops! Left out parents! my boyfriend's parents*. š
Bummer. That wasn't your apartment though, the one you move into will be *your* apartment.
Thank you, thank you.
Yuk, how awful, Erin! I have signed my rental contract three months ago, had the whole moving in thing, and now my bathroom and kitchen start to show moldy patches everywhere. Now I have to move all my stuff out again (cannot bear to think about it right now), and I can only hope that the renovation works will start very very soon because in the meantime I will literally have to go live with my parents (and commute my ass off). So depressing! Real estate stuff sucks so much. I wish people would realize it is your home they are dealing with, right? Hang in there, you will find a new (and even brighter) place for sure! xo
Oh dear! So very sorry to hear it! Sending good vibes your way!
i'm currently almost-moving, with my move-in day set for 17 February, but my god what a journey it's been. renting in london is no easier. i feel your pain & cross my fingers for you.
becky,
accooohtrements.wordpress.com
So sorry to hear this – I know you were excited about the new space. i don't know if it helps to hear this now, but I had to move once (let's face it: you're a New Yorker, it happens) and shortly before I was supposed to go, I got mugged at knifepoint in broad daylight in the doorway of what was supposed to be my new building. Clearly I couldn't move in there after that. I went home, had a meltdown, looked at Craigslist, checked out the first listing I liked and it was a dream apartment in a dream location at a price I could afford. It was my own New York miracle, and THERE IS ONE WAITING FOR YOU!!!!
Yikes! So glad that story had a happy ending!
Oh how awful about your acquaintance being scammed! My husband's a broker and he's the nicest, most honest guy (and his reviews attest to it!) and I hate that his industry is so full of… well… scum bags.
Oh, that sucks, both the fact that your agreement was cancelled (that's so unfair! I didn't know they could do that!) and that your friend was scammed. People who pull scams really bug me; it's hard to feel pity for people who con others like that, because scam artists don't deserve pity (and they don't deserve the term "artists" either).
:: my hubby and i have had our fair share of painful renting attempts over the last two years. i totally know what it's like to feel instantly attached to a new place, mentally move in, only to have my renters-heart broken. many well-wishes to you and james as you continue on the hunt. oozes of empathy from seattle.
Hi Erin! I'm soo sorry for you!!!
But, just think that that apartment was not fit for you!or probably something would go wrong when you'll come in!
I'm sure you will find another one!perfect for you!!!
I keep my finger crossed for you!!
Oh my I would be furious!! Sending positive apt vibes your way!!! Just so excited for your reason to have to move!!! š
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