Phewww, it was a stressful time. I got a mouth ulcer from the stress. It was under my tongue. Can you imagine? Oh, the pain. I thought it was some sort of mouth cancer from a build up of 'social' cigarettes that I seem to like to smoke now and again. I couldn't do anything about it. I don't think they have Bonjela here so I just had to deal with it and find a flat.
I have always shared flats with friends. If you don't count student halls in 1st year of uni. Halls aren't really flats though. So yeah, I have always shared with friends. Here I was in NZ, checking the trademe website everyday for flat listings. For about a week I was just looking at the 'Featured first' drop down which are the listing that people pay extra for because its the default search. I felt pretty stupid when I discovered there was a 'Latest listings' option, and tens of more flats showed up. I felt really stupid actually but at least I knew I could start to properly look for a flat now.
I was clicking on listings based on the photos, and the price. Then you read the ad, and txt the person and in 140 characters try and make yourself interesting or memorable enough to be asked to come and view the flat. Actually phone calls would make things more direct and less like a 140 character life story but I'm not made of money so sometimes it would have to be txts. Then you go and view the flat, and in 10/15 minutes try and make yourself seem like a nice person to live with.
There's a real power imbalance. You're trying to make a good impression but really all they've given you is:
- Medium sized room, $160 a week, $25 for bills which includes electricity, water, internet and flat stuff like toilet paper
- Room is unfurnished but the rest of the flat is furnished so you just need your bedroom stuff
- Looking for someone whose laid back and tidies up after themselves.
- Don't want a party animal but someone who enjoys a vino or two after work.
- Smokers ok. No pets.
- No couples.
SO boring. And all the ads are like this. The only advantage they have is their flat! A huge advantage sure but a lot of the time, THEIR chat was rotten. I really should have just txt them after, 'Nah, yeah, nahhh'.
I actually asked which one of my current flatmate wrote the ad cos it had things like, looking for a woman; no couples unless you are completely illiterate (they had some turn up for the viewing). Lots of weirdos apparently. They thought one of the girls I know was a drug fiend just from 10 mins. First impressions, eh. EH.
My room is great. I have a bed (which I have only half paid for so far- thanks Gabby), and I got a clothes rail at the weekend there. So, I have my own room but still living out a backpack. No bad !!! No couples. No mouth ulcers. Happy.
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I am living in a house but apparently it is called a flat because I'm staying with people I don't know. For me a flat is an apartment with several floors above or below it. Although saying that, I have been referring to my new temp home as a flat this whole time. Hm. Discuss.
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