posted
...and it's making me grumpy. We've got every friend and relative we have in SoCal going through the papers and noting phone numbers of rentals as they drive by; we've checked out every free online resource (we're not willing to pay $45 for the details on the two places out of 500 results that actually match our needs, which are probably already rented anyway.) It's really annoying sometimes. We need to have a place by August, becuase Ems and I are flying out on the 26th, staying with my mom for a week, and Jeff will be driving out with all the stuff on the 30th, to arrive around the 3rd.
Anyone know of a vacant place in Tujunga, Sunland, La Crescenta, Montrose, north Glendale, or north Burbank that doesn't cost an arm and a leg (our budget is $1300 a month tops, and that's a stretch), will accept cats, have a washer/dryer hookup or at least laundry on-site, and offer at least 2 bedrooms, 1 bath?
posted
Of course. Also the Recycler website. Half of the ads aren't accurate; they advertise $1150 a month and then ask for $1900 and double that the first month for a security deposit.
*realizes she hasn't eaten all day*
*eats half a Fruit and Nut bar*
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Have you checked with the local ward(s) to see if someone there can help? I wish I were close enough to offer assistance. Well, I'll also be out of the country when you arrive, so that'd make it even tougher to help.
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Just keep looking. You'll probably fall in love with a place, and you'll just have to live in it.
Posts: 6026 | Registered: Dec 2004
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quote:Sorry. Filling out applications for Japanese schools is hard. There's a test sentence for your Japanese and I can't read one word of it.
Good luck, kq.
Thanks, and I'm sorry. (((hugs)))
quote:Have you checked with the local ward(s) to see if someone there can help?
Yup, talked to my old bishop; he gave us the number of his executive secretary, who "seems to have his finger on the pulse of the housing situation". Called him, and he'll call us back next week.
quote:I wish I were close enough to offer assistance. Well, I'll also be out of the country when you arrive, so that'd make it even tougher to help.
You're so sweet. It's the thought, etc.
quote:You'll probably fall in love with a place, and you'll just have to live in it.
Unfortunately, it's not that easy. It's more about whether they'll take us, and being 1500 miles away means we can't drop by for an interview or to look a place over; we have to rely on references, phone interviews, and my family and friends.
quote:I don't know you very well, but I do know how stressful it can be looking for a new living place.
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*raises hand* I agree, to the thread title. I need to move at the end of August, and the area I was looking at is now not going to work. To live right next to work would cost about $300 more a month than I'm paying now, and to live farther away is cheaper, but doesn't help a whole lot. I only live 14 miles away right now. The halfway in between point suddenly won't work because they closed the place I was interested in living next to. I HATE house hunting.
Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
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Actually, the places that meet our other requirements all have no problems with cats (dogs would be a different story) and most don't even charge a pet deposit. (Neither did the place we're living now.) That's a good thing, because Emma seems to think they're her brothers. And yes, that was me. Thanks for that, I needed a laugh.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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I can only speak of central Illinois - but I found that, as ketchupqueen said, most landlords aren't too upset with Cats. Usually, the worst thing I found was an extra $100 at the time of the lease signing. Granted, all the places I've lived in cost less that $400 a month Posts: 367 | Registered: Apr 2004
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We're talking right now with a guy who owns a small, 4-unit place, laundry on premises, 2 bedroom unit available, would have no problem with cats, is charging $945 a month (though the deposit would be a bit more), in Sunland, really close to our ideal area (we doubt we'll really land in the La Crescenta ward; the Sunland ward is the one "next door", in the same stake), and seems about willing to bend the rule he's made for himself about always meeting people in person first. My dad is going by sometime today or tomorrow to look at it before he sends out an application for us to fill out.
Maybe everyone who prays could pray for a "good wind" for us again? It seemed to work last time. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: We're talking right now with a guy who owns a small, 4-unit place, laundry on premises, 2 bedroom unit available, would have no problem with cats, is charging $945 a month (though the deposit would be a bit more), in Sunland, really close to our ideal area (we doubt we'll really land in the La Crescenta ward; the Sunland ward is the one "next door", in the same stake), and seems about willing to bend the rule he's made for himself about always meeting people in person first. My dad is going by sometime today or tomorrow to look at it before he sends out an application for us to fill out.
Maybe everyone who prays could pray for a "good wind" for us again? It seemed to work last time.
*prays*
Also, there's a Jewish notion that one who prays not only for himself, but for himself AND someone else in a similar situation, is more likely to be answered. So, will you pray that I find some place that I can afford and can live with/in too?
posted
Definitely! In fact, I already have been, even though I'd never heard of that notion. Have you tried the Recycler online, Rivka? That's where we've found our most promising leads.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
In all honesty, I spent a lot of time going through online ads a few months back, got burnt out, and have not looked recently.
I should. I will. *sigh* I hate this.
I have been looking at (and calling about) signs out front of places. That's how I found my best leads a couple years ago -- including the place I rented then.
Also a good source of unintended levity. "You want how much for an apartment that's a mile from where I really want to be, in a neighborhood that's not quite what I had in mind? Only double what I can afford?!?" Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Oh, I know that feeling. "Well, that's a little out of our budget." "How much? We can talk about it, although I have two people on the other line asking about the same place." "Well, actually, you want about $900 more than we'll have to spend..." *sigh*
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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New problem: even if we get into that place, we're not going to be able to afford the deposit. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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How much is the deposit? And, do you have a deposit on your old place? My landlady required first month, last month, and deposit. But she said that as long as we could come up w/ 2 months rent up front we could make a payment plan over a few months. Someone might let you do that. If you can fork over 2 months rent most ppl figure you're capable of paying for the place.
Posts: 872 | Registered: Mar 2002
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The deposit is $1400. We'd have to pay that and rent for the first month, so a total of $2350 the first month. We probably won't be able to make even one month's rent, much less two and then some. We have a deposit on this place, but we're going to lose it, between the cats chewing up the blinds and the baby dumping juice on the new carpet. We have accepted that; there's no way we'll get it back. Besides, the deposit here was less than 1 month's rent, and we're only paying $695 a month here.
We are going to move. We have to move. But we'll have no place to live when we get there.
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No, I'm talking about places that call themselves "Beverlywood-adjacent" and are a good mile outside Beverlywood (and therefore more like 2 miles from my preferred radius).
kq, Chuzzle is next. Right now I'm being sociable in IRC with people I haven't spoken with in aeons.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Well, we'll keep praying for you, rivka! And please do the same for us. We probably need it as bad as you do, or worse (at least temporarily worse.)
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Well, we got all the books sorted and either packed or marked for the yard sale.
Tomorrow, the desk and assorted clutter in the room. Wednesday night, Emma's room and the closet in ours, plus making yard sale signs.
Pretty soon all our stuff will be in boxes or gone, and we'll probably still have no place to live. *chews nails off*
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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I still must find a place. Since the place I wanted is no longer desirable, I must decide between being close to a social life, and being close to shopping and the gym, which I do almost every day. My brain is saying to go near the gym, which is also cheaper, butI don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere. Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
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*laugh* While the only reason I don't prefer "the middle of nowhere" is the issue of proximity to synagogues. Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Oh yuck, kq. I truly hate moving, whether you're looking to rent or buy. One thing I've found is just when I get the most discouraged then something happens. With our current home I had just about given up, convinced we'd never find a place we both liked. Now we've got our dream house. I'll be crossing my fingers that things work out for all of you soon.
I was in y'all's place last month - the Richmond housing market exploded while we were in Roanoke and everything was tiny and expensive. We ended up moving across the street from where we used to live (into a house I love) only because they gave us preference b/c we lived there for 3 years before.
Posts: 3037 | Registered: Jan 2002
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You're moving right to my Mom's general neighborhood. She's right near the Burbank airport. It'd be so weird if you just met her without either of you knowing that you both know me.
I'd volunteer to let you live with her, but I have a feeling that that wouldn't work out.
Posts: 1751 | Registered: Jun 1999
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dean, what's her name? I know a few people in Burbank...
I just got off the phone with my dad, then the manager guy of this place we're looking at, and then my dad again.
The manager guy is sending us an application, and seems very positive about us. So much, in fact, that he offered me an on-site manager position. The duties would be light, and pay would be $45 a month. If we were paying the $945 rent he asks, there would have been a $34 gap in our budget each month. This will eliminate the gap.
Please, everyone, keep praying this works out for us! Rivka, we're still praying for you, too. How's it going on your end?
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Since ferrets are illegal in CA, I wouldn't.
quote:For 10 bucks a week the duties had better be light.
But since it fills the hole in your budget, I hope it works out for you.
Thanks. Duties would be making sure there's no trash on the ground or anything, watering the grass once every couple of days (there's not much grass), monitoring the situation-- like, making sure that people aren't breaking the noise rules and if they are, notifying the owner if they won't stop-- and very occasionally showing an apartment (people tend to live there a long time, and there are only 10 units, so very very occasional), but not doing the paperwork or anything, just showing and answering questions. Not bad at all, and since I'm going to be home all the time anyway, right up my alley.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Sorry, I was at a book signing, and then dinner.
I got my application in, with all the Ts and Is dotted and crossed. Now I wait to hear back, and try to find the time to call about a few other places.
I'll keep praying for y'all. The managing gig sounds like it should work well for you. Is that a $45 credit against your rent, or is it a (taxable) salary?
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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We need to have a place by August, becuase Ems and I are flying out on the 26th, staying with my mom for a week, and Jeff will be driving out with all the stuff on the 30th, to arrive around the 3rd.![[Frown]](frown.gif)
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You're so sweet. It's the thought, etc. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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Thanks for that, I needed a laugh.
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We have a deposit on this place, but we're going to lose it, between the cats chewing up the blinds and the baby dumping juice on the new carpet. We have accepted that; there's no way we'll get it back. Besides, the deposit here was less than 1 month's rent, and we're only paying $695 a month here.![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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