Signed
On Thursday (May 15), after almost missing the train (!) to Vancouver in the morning, [oh, and yes, FOB = Fresh Off the Boat, which is an expression, and FOT = Fresh Off the Train, which I made up for Alan and me], MISSION ACCOMPLISHED (and for real, not like that lying S.O.S.): We signed a lease on an apartment!
It's in the building where I had contacted management over the phone and she said that they would have no problem getting our U.S. credit report. Here's the funny thing: I came "armed" with copies of our U.S. credit reports, printed information on contacting our current apartment management, printed information on verifying our current employment, bank statements, personal references ... you get the idea ... and she barely looked at any of it. I think that because I had everything so prepared and was eager to share it, she had a good impression. And rather than our coming from outside counting against us, I think it helped. She seemed to know that we couldn't have been accepted as P.R.s unless we were financially prepared and ready to get employment. And I think that our being from the States impressed her, which I felt a little guilty about.
The down-sides: signed for June 1 so paying rent on two places for the same month, smaller apartment, no washer/dryer in unit, rent 20% more, high-rise building
The up-sides: cats can come with! management is way cool! corner apartment = more light and cross-breeze! and .... location, location, location!
When we had scouted around in the past to see where we might want to live, we picked a neighborhood. We even centered on an intersection that we would measure distance from in looking at prospective places. OUR NEW BUILDING IS STEPS AWAY FROM THAT INTERSECTION.
If you live the carless lifestyle, you understand that blocks matter. I can and do walk miles every day; I like it and it helps keep my weight (and psyche) under control. But schlepping groceries and pet supplies is another story; each block adds a point to the misery index when repeated day in and day out. We will be living next to a supermarket, London Drugs, and pet supply store. Our post office and bank branch are only a few blocks away. In terms of recreation, we're just blocks away from water/beach, Stanley Park, and tons of shops, bars and eateries.
The West End is a diverse (lots of young people, lots of old people, lots of Asians, South Asians, gays) neighborhood on the downtown peninsula. It's full of life and we're very excited to be living there.
And, of course, we'll be neighbours (I'm getting used to the "U"s; give me time) of "West End Bob" and "drf."
We're going with a local Vancouver mover who is willing to haul out to Seattle and back (same-day move). It won't be cheap, but it is in the range we expected. We're looking at June 20 as the last day at our jobs in Seattle and June 25 as moving day.
Can you believe this?
It's in the building where I had contacted management over the phone and she said that they would have no problem getting our U.S. credit report. Here's the funny thing: I came "armed" with copies of our U.S. credit reports, printed information on contacting our current apartment management, printed information on verifying our current employment, bank statements, personal references ... you get the idea ... and she barely looked at any of it. I think that because I had everything so prepared and was eager to share it, she had a good impression. And rather than our coming from outside counting against us, I think it helped. She seemed to know that we couldn't have been accepted as P.R.s unless we were financially prepared and ready to get employment. And I think that our being from the States impressed her, which I felt a little guilty about.
The down-sides: signed for June 1 so paying rent on two places for the same month, smaller apartment, no washer/dryer in unit, rent 20% more, high-rise building
The up-sides: cats can come with! management is way cool! corner apartment = more light and cross-breeze! and .... location, location, location!
When we had scouted around in the past to see where we might want to live, we picked a neighborhood. We even centered on an intersection that we would measure distance from in looking at prospective places. OUR NEW BUILDING IS STEPS AWAY FROM THAT INTERSECTION.
If you live the carless lifestyle, you understand that blocks matter. I can and do walk miles every day; I like it and it helps keep my weight (and psyche) under control. But schlepping groceries and pet supplies is another story; each block adds a point to the misery index when repeated day in and day out. We will be living next to a supermarket, London Drugs, and pet supply store. Our post office and bank branch are only a few blocks away. In terms of recreation, we're just blocks away from water/beach, Stanley Park, and tons of shops, bars and eateries.
The West End is a diverse (lots of young people, lots of old people, lots of Asians, South Asians, gays) neighborhood on the downtown peninsula. It's full of life and we're very excited to be living there.
And, of course, we'll be neighbours (I'm getting used to the "U"s; give me time) of "West End Bob" and "drf."
We're going with a local Vancouver mover who is willing to haul out to Seattle and back (same-day move). It won't be cheap, but it is in the range we expected. We're looking at June 20 as the last day at our jobs in Seattle and June 25 as moving day.
Can you believe this?
posted by Daniel wbc at 8:43 AM
10 Comments:
Yippee!
More in an email reply, but wanted to tell you how glad we are for you! GREAT location, BTW, after looking on GoogleMaps for it!
We're jealous: You have a corner unit for air flow!
Cheers, and see you next month . . . .
I just found your blog through West End Bob and have to say CONGRATS for enduring the grueling process to move to Canada. My partner and I applied in 2005 and it took 27 months before we were approved but it was worth it. Perhaps we can meet face to face when we visit the FL guys in Vancouver. Through these blogs we are finding so many people that are relocating - it's interesting and exciting at the same time!! Good LUCK with the move!!
Make sure you bring "The Girls" when you come to visit, Doug . . . . ;-)
:)
The biggest hurdle (housing) has been overcome. Congrats guys!
Wow, that's just cool guys!! Happy moving!
Excellent! Congratulations!!
As a former urbanite who walked everywhere (and was *really* tired of shlepping packages!) I totally understand the need for a great location.
The extra month rent is a drag, but in the long run you won't remember it, and it's so worth it, all things considered.
You sound really upbeat. It's wonderful.
That's FABULOUS! Congratulations! And, yes, the West End is wonderful! Have fun!!!!
Congrats! Customs is very unlikely to be any problem (I can say that with a bit of authority being a former customs officer).
Moving, however, sucks no matter where you do it. It's enough worry unto itself.
But two or three months after you've put your boxes away you'll feel like you've always lived there. And isn't that a great feeling.
Thanks, everyone for your enthusiasm and support -- including some new folks!
Doug, we'll all have to meet up some time!
(And, of course, we're hoping to meet the rest of the "family" one day when we visit Toronto.)
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