We’ve found the perfect place to call home. As of Wednesday (the 30th of August), you’ll find us at our new 2 bedroom flat in Belsize Park. Spacious and comfortable, we’re very fortunate to have found a flat that boasts:
- 2 bedrooms
- Kitchen with modern appliances
- Washer/dryer
- 1.5 baths
- Hardwood floors
- Attractive furniture
- 4 minutes from the tube
- 10 minutes from the overland train
- 2 minutes from a market and restaurants
- Just down the hill from posh Hamstead Village
- A video/security phone to identify visitors who ring the flat
We’re very pleased–and surprised. An estate agent suggested the flat to us on Thursday–we toured it, but decided not to act. It was listed £75 more per week than our budget would allow (the equivalent of £325 or $610 more per month). K e-mailed the estate agent on Friday morning to say that we loved the flat and its location, but that we felt that perhaps a smaller place would be a better fit with our budget. The estate agent suggested that we make an offer. We did. And, thank God, it was accepted.
We’ll write to you all with our address once we move in.
So, when should we expect you?
WOW. You two are amazing. How did you know to make an offer that was in your budget? Our experience is that rental prices are pretty much firm. Nice going. We’re proud of you. Also, glad there is a second bedroom. We were prepared to sleep in a hallway or kitchen or perhaps on the fire escape.
Oh, just when did you want your fall cloths? We talked with John & Bev and they mentioned fall comes early in Lodon.
Congratulations to you both and praise to the Lord for guiding you.
Love, M&D
This site is wonderful, so glad to hear you both are settling in. Although I am not surprised to hear all you have accomplished since you’ve been there! I look forward to hearing, and seeing more of your adventure in the coming months. Take care and be safe!
Miss You, Shannon & Mike
Home, Sweet Home! What a great place you’ve found.
Looks like everything is just falling into place! I know you can’t wait to move in and really make it your home. Maybe then you can relax a little bit before things get really busy with classes — wouldn’t that be nice?
Take care,
Juile
Hey all.
We love writing the blog…hope you all are enjoying it, too.
V, the estate agent understood our budget range and encouraged us to make an offer despite the difference. We had to keep tight on our budget so that we’ll have funds to explore and have fun while here.
Jules–you hit the nail on the head. There’s a good reason that we haven’t written much about our hotel accomodations. While it offers free (icky) breakfast and internet, we’re in an 8×10 room. We’re going batty with all our luggage in this small space. But, it is centrally located and we move out on Wednesday (thank goodness).
Shannon–it’s funny. At times I lose track of it all and feel like we haven’t accomplished very much in the last week. Perspective helps…thanks for that.
Cheers (the Brittish version of regards)
K
And the hotel was cheap… at least for London standards. A hotel bill for 9 days in London, ouch!
Congrats K&G! Sounds like things are just falling into place. AND I can’t believe that you found a place with the hot and cold water together in one faucet – I didn’t know the Brits knew what that was! Perhaps I’ll swing by for a visit next summer! Cheers, B
Bethie–you’re very perceptive…faucets with mixed hot & cold were high on our list—difficult to find! Who would have dreamed that to be a modern convenience?
Another surprise…water pressure. How fortunate we are to have great water pressure in the US. Apparently, the UK’s water system is plagued by leaks and this has lowered the water pressure significantly…ick!
A couple folks have mentioned safety–rest assured, we found the “Cary” of London. Belsize is closer to the city than Cary is to Raleigh, but the streets are leafy and clean, the people are friendly and caring and our flat is on the 5th floor in a secure building (has a video phone for secure entrance and an auto-locking front door). We’ll feel very safe and secure walking from the train.