Looking for Home Sweet Home

Finding a place to live is a big deal. In the past, my parents have made that call or I've had a roommate (or several) to help make the decision. Also in the past I've been fairly familiar with the area and spoken the same language. Think about what happens if any of these factors are eliminated- crazy right? Well, they've all been eliminated from my current search!

The only thing I've got going for me is a housing allowance which is much higher than I was ever willing to spend in the past! Come to think of it I don't even know what the prices of the places I saw today, but basically the locals know our rates and somehow that's what rent turns out to be. (Yeah, the system is broken so I'm doing my best to keep my pay rate a secret!)

Today I ventured around the area with Daniel and Antonio- two realtors that were recommended by coworkers. Somehow after a 5 minute call with Daniel yesterday to set up the appointment he pretty much nailed just what I was looking for- ocean view, 2-3 bedrooms, located around markets and transportation. I spent all afternoon with these two and saw several options. They were both extremely honest about areas and even gave me information about other things that I'm dealing with in regards to being new.

Our first stop was in Posillipo. I was told that the view I'd see was "the view that all Americans think about when they think Italy." He was right. As I looked out the 1st floor windows (2 floors up, the ground level is 0) I looked out to the bay. The sparkling blue was speckled with boats and other apartments and off to the left Mt. Vesuvius  stood tall. The apartment was one of the sides of the square with a pizzeria, caffe bar, market, and gelato was found across the way. There were two apartments available, both 2 bedroom.

The first one was the corner apartment, with balconies in each room, one looking out to the water and the other 3 towards the plazza, but you could still see water on a few. The layout of the place was odd though. Lots of storage, but again with only 2 bedrooms that means when you visit you'd be sleeping in my office and I already have grand plans for my spare room!

The second one had 4 huge windows facing the water. Three rooms (dinning room, living room, and 2nd bedroom) were all conntected but doors could be closed off and kept closed with strategically placed furniture. The kitchen was itty bitty and the one bathroom was at an angle.

After viewing both places we headed down to the plaza for coffee. It was pretty sweet to know I could just run downstairs for un caffee or better yet pizza. (Not good for the waist line but can you really go on a diet when you're living in Italy?)

I think we then headed to Bagnoli. Again, I really need to take better notes. This was a brand new apartment and gorgeous, if I didn't have all my furniture headed out here. The kitchen was more than just a closet and the view was once again fabulous. Best part? Along the water there is a paved path so I could run without the fear of being mowed down by scooters or cars. Again, only 2 bedroom and really too small- although I fell in love with the tile.

Next stop was over in Pozzuoli, but in the outskirts. Yep. I have been here before. They actually wanted to show me the diagonal house (and I met someone who lives on the same property this evening) but since I'd already been there we skipped out. They did show me a property that will be done within a few months with 20 apartments. The historic building has been restored on the outside (to include 15th and 17th century art on the ceilings of the courtyard) but all the apartments are so technologically advanced I don't think I'd even know how to use half of the stuff! Again, not quite the place for me but I did like the view. I think I need just a tad of city mixed in with my ocean view!

 

Next up was another part of Pozzuoli- Arco Felic. This was a 3 story townhouse with a rent that is too much for me to stomach so it's not going to happen but it was an open floor plan. There was a garage, finished "basement", 3 bed rooms, a decent kitchen, and a back yard. There were also balconies on the 1st and 2nd floors. Check out that blue tile in the one bathroom! Something just screams Katie- right? Okay, so maybe it was the fact that there were at least 3 cats within the gate (one on the front porch) that made me like this one so much. It was walking distance to the nearby lake, train station, and stores (so I can turn my guests free when I need to work and also so I don't have to worry about driving on the weekends). 

After a driving tour through the areas that both of my guides lived, we finally found our way into Monte di Procida and we didn't even go through the "Bumpy Tunnel." -> Side story: At one point in the day I was being told how many Americans have their own names for places. I think it probably came up when I slaughtered how to say Procida  and confessed I'd been calling it MdP. You know, it's what we do- well I blame the acronyms that we use with the government, but seriously- "The Tang" is much easier than Tangensiale. "Capo" way easier than Capodichino. But apparently it's been taken too far and there is now "touch down Jesus." Yeah. How hilarious is that?

So as we made it up the hill the feel of the neighborhood definitely changed. Things seemed to slow down and things looked a tad older. At one point this area had the higher per capita income since many of the people went to the states to open restaurants and others were in the shipping business. The town was very charming- complete with town square. There were narrow roads as I'd been warned but I saw a RAV4 or two driving around so it's possible...assuming another car isnt' headed the opposite direction on the same "street." 

The apartment I saw was one of 3 and the landlords lived on the 2nd floor. Again it was a huge/open floor space and I really liked it. Of all the places I saw today this for sure was my favorite but again, the layout just didn't seem ideal to accomodate what I have being sent over and it was 2 bedrooms. For all you guests I'm pretty sure if I call this place home the guest room would be the one with the view...since it's not much of a view at night when I'm sleeping! The kitchen/living space was large and again, I loved the tile. 

I think the other reason I loved this place so much was the huge patio (in addition to the 2 balconies) that I could use as a rooftop garden and extended living space, especially on these warm summer nights. Another perk? The landlord could teach me Italian! The fact that Daniel told me that it's a tight knit community up there also was nice. They'll apparently keep an eye on me until they know I'm living there and not just a tourist but then I'll be one of them. That really is one of my requirements while I'm out here. 

Conclusions of the day:

• House hunting is exhausting!
• I think I have an idea of what I want...but then I see something else. I realize it's going to be a bunch of tradeoffs (less space = better view) but until I know the utility of each requirement it's hard to make that call. Yes, I just may make a model out of this!
• I'm trusting that people are telling me the truth that "when I see it, I'll know it's for me." 
• I may be putting too much into this house hunt. I used to laugh that when I finally lived by myself I'd consider myself an adult. Well, here I am 28 and it's finally going to happen. Gotta make sure I get this right!
• Living in Monterey (and even SLO) makes me want to be by the water...even if I did get a good laugh with my response of "I'm too white to be in the sun too long" when asked if I liked to sunbathe at the beach. 

Well there you have it. I spent over 4 hours making this tour and it actually paid off so I'm not that sad I missed Zumba. Tomorrow I go out with the housing office again, but a different agent so maybe I'll see more than 2 places. Hopefully there won't be any repeats of today and I can see a few more options within these areas. Hey- I'm doing this for all of you! :) Actually I figure if it's a place I'd want to stay it's probably perfetto for my guests.