Yesterday officially kicked off my apartment search! I’m looking in Sachsenhausen, a neighborhood in the south part of Frankfurt, close to the train station, the Main river, my gym, and a popular place for young people. When I tell people I am looking there, I get the same reactions every time: “it’s so expensive” and “it’s really hard to find an apartment there”.
When I emailed my agent last week, asking for information on the places we’d visit, I was told I’d be picked up at 9:30. That’s it. As someone who likes to have a little control over important things in my life, like finding an apartment to live in, it’s taking some getting used to adapting to the German way of doing things. The thinking is very linear, black and white. Being fairly analytical, American, and a sassy woman, I want to know my options!
I am also starting to learn that what I say is taken as final, with no wiggle room. I had to fill out a profile with apartment criteria, but isn’t there always room for interpretation? To change your mind? I asked how the apartments were selected that we looked at and I was told my “profile” had been entered into the computer. Black and white.
We looked at 3 apartments. At each apartment it was myself, my agent, the realtor and the tenant. The owner is also involved in the process but I didn’t meet any owners. I really wish you guys could have been there with me. Mom and dad, I know you would have loved it! It’s so tough looking for apartments without someone to think it over with. I found myself asking my agent what he thought. His reply, “it doesn’t matter what I think.” Fair enough.
Click the apartment names above each pic for more pictures!
This apartment was on the 5th floor. There was no lift in the building. The realtor told me, “you look sporty!”. After getting to the top, the 3 of us were catching our breath and I said, “I can pretty much guarantee this is not going to be the apartment for me.” It was basically an apartment in an attic. Although it was a good size, I was not interested. The pictures online make it look kind of cute, but it was way too claustrophobic for me.
Apartment 2 – Close to Train Station
The next apartment was in a brand new apartment building. It was such a cool apartment; very modern with a great kitchen and huge balcony. I could picture myself living there. Another couple was looking at it at the same time and I felt myself getting nervous they’d get it before me. It was right next to the train station, which would be perfect for me. It was so close to the train station, in fact, that the train tracks were right behind the building. I asked the tenant if she heard train noise and she said no.
Apartment 3 – Great Yard and Kitchen
The final apartment was in a brand new building like apartment 2. The apartment was on the first floor with a huge patio and outdoor space that could be used as a garden, and even came with a lawnmower. It was on a side street with a lot of bars and restaurants. I asked the tenant if the noise bothered her and she said no.
I was very interested in apartment 2 and 3. The application process: you have to fill out an application and submit it to the realtor, who then sends it to the owner, and the owner decides which tenant they want. But I was told it’s not good to submit an application and then decide you don’t want the apartment. I had a ten minute conversation with my agent about this. What if I submit an application for only one apartment, I am not chosen, and then I lose both apartments? There has to be another way. Black and white vs. me.
In the afternoon, desperate to get some input, I met up with some friends who were having a glass of wine at a Saturday market. Wine and markets are very important. I told them about the apartments I looked at and showed them the addresses. Immediately they said no way. The train station is way too loud and the bars and restaurants are “party, party, party” all night. Just what I had expected.
So, back to square 1. I spent time going through apartments that could work and sending them to my agent to get the address. I even included apartments that went outside the criteria on my “profile”!
Maybe I’m an idealist, but I really believe I will be able to find something that will make me happy and that I can call home.
Seems like a “colorful” approach would be talking with friends and colleagues about where they live and how those compare, though it sounds like you’ve already narrowed down your places. At least they won’t have filled out forms before discussing with you.