I move today :)

I finally found a place in Southeast London and will be moving in today. My 11-day stay in a hotel in Russell Square was nice, but it was more expensive than a month’s rent in my new place.

I’m excited to settle in.  Searching for a flat to rent in London is not a fun task at all.  I’m not sure if it’s the city alone, the current economic conditions, or the city in the current economic conditions, but lettings turn very quickly here.  On at least three occasions, I would call a letting agent and ask if a specific property was available, something I had seen was just recently added to the website, and it was not. I was getting frustrated.

Something I’ve learned, and need to remind myself of, is that it’s very important to follow the rules, but usually, it’s the serendipitous, happen-chance events that end up working out.  For example, after college on Thursday, I went to East Dulwich to see a lettings agent. He was not in, so I checked out the agency across the way.  The only person in the agency at the time was in sales, not lettings, but had a flat he was renting out privately. We got to chatting and set up a viewing for Friday, and we agreed to it. 

It’s a one-bedroom flat.  The bedroom and the living room are a good size.  The kitchen and bathroom are a bit narrow (but no where near the narrowness of my kitchen back in the States).  It comes with a bed and some shelves, the kitchen appliances, and is wired for internet.  There are some things I must do to fix it up: paint, new curtains, buy linen, but it’s home. 

So, I hope I didn’t jinx myself too much calling this the end.  It’s the end of the flat search, but is still just the beginning of my life in London.