back on the market

i have been gearing up for a big change in my life: a new apartment. i have been anticipating the move for almost two months, ever since i talked to the roomie and learned we were on the same page about it all.

but i have been holding off on the actual chore of apartment-hunting because i have learned that in nyc good apartments go on the market a month (or less) before they are ready to be vacated and occupied by their new renter. so, as i planned to move in april 1, i was waiting until march, or at least the end of february, to start my quest.

earlier this week, my roommate mentioned that if i wanted to move out earlier, the girl who is set to take my spot is ready and willing to replace me asap. so the past two days i have started combing that old city renter standard, craig's list, for no fee apartments that look appealling.

i know i am more picky this time around, and for good reason. but i must say: thus far, pickings have been slim. i have already sent email queries to two prospective apartments that seemed okay but not perfect. one was in a good location but too expensive (i'm thinking of stopping by to check it out this weekend just in case it is the place of my dreams) and the other was seemingly perfect but in a neighborhood where i have never been, a bit farther into brooklyn than i would prefer.

as for the "perfect" place, the poster did not leave his/her name on the ad, and when i emailed he/she asked for my phone number, still without offering a name. this skeeved me out, and i have vowed not to pursue apartments when i am feeling iffy about the situation. it is just not worth it to me.

but even what half-hearted searching i have been doing over the past two days has started to stress me out. i'm starting to think that finding a good broker and paying that massive fee may be worth it for me in the end. i have a vision of what i want and need, and if it takes a broker to get me there, i guess i have to just give in and deal with it. i'm going to wait it out a little bit longer before i diver head-first, though. there is too much going on in my life right now to worry about all of this.