I’m Easily Amused
Walking to work this morning I saw a jeep coming my way (I was at a crosswalk so it’s ok). It had a sticker on the front window that went across the top. It was also upside down so I stared at it a bit trying to decipher what it said. Once I read it, I actually chuckled out loud:
“If you can read this, please flip me back over”
Sometimes, it’s the simple things in life that can make your day.
Nothing new to report. I’m heading back to one of the condos I viewed over the weekend. I want to give it the once over again. HMMM – I guess that means I’m giving it the twice over? Anyway, I also stumbled upon another listing for a place in Somerville…just a few blocks from Porter Square T-station (where I normally commute to from Boston every morning). This place is REALLY cheap ($228,500) and larger than any of the other places I’ve seen…and at a lower price. The bathroom and kitchen were recently remodeled but the rest of the place could use some SERIOUS cosmetic work. As in the first condo Matt and I bought together 5 years ago, this place has green carpet.
The downside is that the exterior of the building is ass-ugly (one of those red brick buildings built between the 50’s and 70’s with no charm at all). The other property I’m looking at for a second time had architectural detail and charm…but over 100 square feet less of living space and $12,000 more in price. Plus, this one is closer to the subway AND includes a parking spot (which I’d use for guests).
Decisions, decisions.
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Huh, I wonder if that’s my old building. Sounds like it anyway. 25 Linden Ave? When I lived there it was apartments – I moved in August 2004 when they turned it into condos. The location was amazing – I walked to work every day. Not a bad building except for sharing laundry with too many people.
I miss Porter. And HLS.
If you move to Porter you will live very close to me, you know…
Aha – I’m reading this one AFTER the more recent one – it’s one of THAT kind of “ass-ugly” bulidings, eh? I thought you meant it was one of the many Somerville speculator-Victorians covered in asbestos or asphalt siding… I actually would counsel that you NOT buy in one of those nasty faceless 60s-type buildings, esp. given shared laundry. The design alone tends to just be nasty, nasty, nasty – can one ever be happy with piggy little windows and low ceilings…etc.?! Keep looking, laddie, keep looking! Then again – HOW many sq. feet for that $228K?
I’d say go for good bones (big windows, great light, high ceilings, nicely-proportioned rooms) over new kitchens and baths in a place with innately bad…uh (I don’t believe in this crap, but it’s useful shorthand) feng shui – you can always do those yourself (provided the ones that are there are BEARABLE meanwhile) – people put in a $15K new kitchen (or less) to sell a place, quality is usually shite, and then they mark the place up by $30K…you can do it yourself, better, from IKEA for example…
Good luck!