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Thoughts on our new home

So, here we are in our new place. It’s still a bit of a bombsite; I’m only about half unpacked and there’s a lot of rearranging going on. Expect a photo tour coming soon!

I love the fact that my commute has literally been halved. It’s especially awesome on weekends when I work a later shift and am in a rush to get home.

I don’t love the fact that the craziness of our PT system means that I don’t actually save any money by moving closer. If I was still studying, I could get rides for a lot cheaper…but that’s not the case. (I’m tempted to blatantly use my friends to buy me tickets on their student IDs…what do you think?)

The way monthly passes work is by giving a substantial discount on travel, pretty much eliminating any difference between those who live two and three stages away. I may keep buying the same pass I always have – especially if I end up using my days off to catch up with my friends on campus.

Although, I have just found out that by walking a little further on the Mt Eden route – I have three main routes to choose from – I could be paying for just one stage trips. Walking FTW.

I love the fact that we live in a really safe (okay, downright posh) area. A far cry from two neighbourhoods ago. I think it’s safe to say we’ll probably never live anywhere as nice again.

But I don’t love the fact that we are now JUST beyond our comfort zone. We’ve always lived on the central western side of the city. I know my old area like the back of my hand – almost every street, every park, every bus stop. It’s a big shock to the system! We have to find a new butcher and grocer, too :sadface:

If our new house was literally just a few blocks over – more Mt Eden than Epsom –  it wouldn’t feel so far away or so alien. Aucklanders are very territorial; what can I say? (And turns out two of my best friends – the two who aren’t currently still at uni – are going overseas.  Result: I don’t feel so bad about moving “far away” now!)

I love that the place itself is nice, it’s right next to an awesome park, and close to TONS of restaurants and cafes. We’ll get to indulge our love of food and try lots of new eateries. Unfortunately, we’re still near Burger King and Wendy’s (two of T’s weaknesses).

What do you love/hate about your place?

7 thoughts on “Thoughts on our new home

  • Reply Stephany March 15, 2010 at 14:41

    I love and hate moving. I love the newness of a place and organizing all your stuff in new places. I hate having to find a new grocery store and a new gas station and a new route to work…I really get comfortable with places around me and it takes a while for me to find those places again. Good luck with everything!

  • Reply me in millions March 15, 2010 at 15:09

    I hate moving, but there is something about moving to a (local) new neighborhood that really helps you learn your way around the city better. I’ve lived in 3 different local areas which has been so helpful in learning the little shortcuts and more restaurants and such. Can’t wait to see pictures.

  • Reply Amber from Girl with the Red Hair March 15, 2010 at 19:14

    In my current place I HATE the location – too far from everything. But I LOVE my apartment layout, the fact that my parking spot is RIGHT outside and the fact that it’s in the nicest area of town!

    When I get settled at my new place I know I’m going to love the location because it’s so central but I’m going to hate living in a tiny, shoebox-sized apartment!

  • Reply Sense March 15, 2010 at 20:51

    love: I’m almost in the CBD so everything is super convenient, BIGGIE: I walk 13 minutes to work, there’s a large asian grocer 5 minutes away, free bus to new world, link, and several other buses stop two minutes away, there’s a gorgeous tree just outside our balcony, i have a large room, a bathtub!!, huge, homey living space with big glass windows and high ceilings, and there are parks and cute neighborhoods all around me. i can walk almost anywhere that I’m interested in going (bars, shops, library, people’s houses) in 15 to 30 minutes or less.

    hate: i don’t hate anything, but i’d really rather have my own bathroom rather than sharing, there’s no ground space to grow things (or to have a dog), and the birds crap ALL over our balcony. 🙁 rent is just a teeny bit over my comfort zone, but once we rent out our garage (cross fingers!), it will be exactly what I think the place is worth. my place gets a teeny bit loud in summer weekend nights, with my windows open, but the fan usually drowns it out.

    you are now much closer to me, i bet I run really close to your neighborhood on my couch to 5K runs. 🙂

  • Reply The Asian Pear March 16, 2010 at 04:50

    sounds like you’re in a great neighbourhood and place. glad everything worked out. I was worried for awhile there.

    i like the convenience-y of my neighbourhood but not the location. It’s not BAD but it’s starting to get bad. It’s the house I grew up in and in that respect I love it. But it’s old and getting worn. Lots of updates to be done and it’s not MY home. It’s my parents.

  • Reply Investing Newbie March 16, 2010 at 07:21

    Find new things in your neighborhood should be exciting! There will definitely come a day when you you’ll know this place like the back of your hand, too.

    The only good that comes out of my living situation is the free food and essentially free rent. The distance is awful, safety is essentially nill, and the fact that I live with my parents gets pretty annoying sometimes.

  • Reply paranoidasteroid March 16, 2010 at 12:05

    My favorite thing about my aparmtent is that I have a < 3 mile commute to work. However, the building is old and notparticularly well-maintained, and the management isn't very helpful.

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