We are moving (again)

I know it must seem insane that we are moving again after only about 9 months in this place. But...well, I guess if you've been reading this blog, you have an inkling as to why it's worth it. AND: we found a great place. In fact, I have to tell you how we found it.

We were driving around a neighborhood we have both always fancied, though it's remote and probably wouldn't seem appealing to all San Franciscans: the Sutro Heights neighborhood. This is waaaay out in the northwest part of the city; the park has the most sublime views of the Pacific Ocean. It's near the Cliff House and the Sutro Bathhouse ruins and Land's End, for you San Franciscans. You get there by taking Geary long past where it's busy. It keeps going and going and gets residential and then you get to the ocean.

Anyway, we were driving around there and we saw a beautiful apartment building, much like the one we used to live in on Cabrillo. It had a For Rent sign, and I said to Mark, "That's where I want to live. That's my new home." I called the number when we got home, and much to my surprise, someone answered (usually, it's hard to get a hold of the rental folks). He immediately told me that whatever apartment was for rent in that building had already been rented. I was disappointed.

But then he said, "Tell me what you're looking for and I'll see what else we have."

I said we had two cats, which usually ends the conversation right then and there, and that we needed a two-bedroom. He began describing what sounded like my dream apartment: a big, spacious 2-bedroom apartment, very cat-friendly, only a few blocks from the building I'd admired, with easy parking. He said it was about 1100 square feet (this one's about 650) and had been built in 1929 by an architect who had designed many of the Pacific Heights buildings. The address was 250 Point Lobos. He said to call him the next day and we'd arrange a time for us to see it (and he seemed extremely nice, which didn't hurt).

The next day I called him when he'd said to, and I got the machine. I called him a few more times during the day, each time becoming more dejected when I got the machine. By the end of the day, when I'd never heard back from him, I was convinced something had gone terribly wrong and that I was never going to see the apartment. Throughout the depressing evening I said to Mark, "Why can't I live at 250 Point Lobos?" Then, five minutes later, I would say, "Why aren't I good enough to live at 250 Point Lobos?" And, fifteen minutes later, "What went wrong? I was meant to live at 250 Point Lobos. It was my destiny." I said things of this nature all night long, including when we were in bed trying to go to sleep.

Okay, so I never figured out why the manager didn't call me back that day, but I called him again the next day and everything worked out fine. We saw the apartment and loved it-- it's a lot like our old Cabrillo place that we loved so much, except it's much bigger. It has hardwood floors and high ceilings and huge rooms. It doesn't have the beautiful Golden Gate Park view, of course, nor does it have an ocean view, because it's on the first floor; but we had wanted something on the first floor because both our moms were deeply unhappy about having to climb all the stairs in our current place and also in our Cabrillo place. And if you want to see the ocean, all you have to do is walk right out the door and there it is! It's at a reasonable rent (by San Francisco standards) and utilities and PG&E are included. I know being so far away from businesses wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, but I love this area and it's also right on the Geary bus line, which brings you everywhere.

Our managers let us out of our lease early, and we gave our 30 days notice. We are officially out of here and into the new place on Feb. 8, though I am trying not to get TOO excited because we haven't actually signed the lease yet. We have a verbal agreement with our new manager and we are supposed to sign the lease this weekend (we have already applied and been approved). Oh, the manager is such a nice man, too. I really liked him.

I am happy, but trying to keep a level head until we actually sign the lease. This place would be so great. I am being realistic: it's a drawback in some ways to not have things like stores and coffee houses and restaurants in easy walking distance. I know that was one advantage this place had. But in EVERY other way, the new place is better for us.