the elitist in me?

Thursday, October 29, 2009

the elitist in me?

Welcome to the Upper East Side, the home of Manhattan’s elite. :/ It’s lease renewal time. Will I be staying in the hip and trendy East Village or heading on up to the Upper East Side, to the deluxe apartment in the sky? SO my lease is up at the end of November. I’ve had my lease renewal form since late summer but was somehow hoping to muster the courage to ask for a rent reduction. As the eternal procrastinator that I am, I’ve waited to the end of October to ask about it. So far I haven’t been able to contact my landlord. I’ve tried her twice this week and she’s just never in. I’m hoping things work out in my current apartment because I won’t have to provide a security deposit or move. Worst case scenario is that I’d have to move to a different apartment in the same building. However, last night I was looking at apartments and found a really affordable one in the Upper East Side. It’s a studio, which means downsize but it means all me and no roommate. The apartment’s kitchen and bathroom is a little on the small size but that’s to be expected of a studio. On the other hand, the main room fits a queen size bed, desk, dresser, and breakfast bar comfortably with enough room to walk. The closet is a walk-in, which is phenomenal. The rent includes utilities minus wireless. With the move uptown I’d have a few hundred bucks each month instead of a few bucks. The down side is that I’ll have to take the train, which is a good 10-15 minute trek, and have transportation costs. I don’t know what to do. I’m hoping my landlord can work something out. The studio wants immediate occupancy and I can’t afford security and first months. At best what I can do is provide the security and then on the first provide move-in, which I’d probably talk to them about a pro-rated rate for November 15th move-in. Moving is such a hassle. Since the boy drives and has a car, I won’t need to pay for a U-haul or bribe one of my friends to help me move. UGH! The Upper East Side is so pretentious though and so grown-up. Perhaps it’s the move I need….after all this coming Saturday I’m officially a year older. Approaching thirty is no fun but I must grow up. I have grown a lot this year. My priorities have drastically changed and so have my expenses. I now have student loan debt. I can no longer afford to dish out loads on living expenses. My credit card debt won’t go away if I only pay the minimum. College life was great. Having ramen noodles, pizza, and ice cream dinner was great but my metabolism is slowing down drastically. I can no longer eat those for dinner or breakfast, unfortunately. I have to now watch what I eat and make sure I exercise properly. Sleeping in futons is no longer fun. I guess I’m just nearing that point. I have friends who have babies and white-knuckle it to the ‘burbs. City life becomes a distant memory for them and their main priority is providing a loving environment for their little offspring. I’m no where near “Offspringville” but perhaps it’s time to act my age? Perhaps it’s time to embrace my next stage in life. I need more cash, job security, an emergency fund, and to pay down my debt. I’d like to dress better and more mature. If I could survive the quiet town living of London, perhaps the Upper East Side won’t be so bad. :/