¿Dónde vamos a vivir? Round 2

Since I arrived in Sevilla and began working for my host family, the search for an apartment for the upcoming year began. Not only was the market competitive at the moment, but while last year I had my future roommates to support me, at this time I was the only one “on the ground”. Now that’s not to say I was going to look for apartments all alone here in Sevilla. The fact was, I had two very wonderful friends coming to join me here in Sevilla come late September — Jennie and Kim! Jennie and I lived together last year in Vigo and she had made the decision to move to Sevilla as well. Kim, on the other hand, my best friend from back home, had decided to enter the program and teach here in Sevilla too! However, because they were both back in the United States, a big portion of the search was up to me. Not only that, but once again I found myself competing against the swarm of incoming university students. It seemed as though every apartment I could find was snatched up within the next 24 hours!

We began our search in the area near Santa Justa Station to the east of the city center, but after some good news, we changed our area of search to San Bernardo Station — a location which benefitted us all! Only after a day or two of scouring the internet, I saw an ad posted late that evening about a new 3 room apartment only 10 minutes walking from the station for a GREAT price. I wasn’t able to call the agency’s office — as it was already closed for the day and there was no option to leave a message —, so I decided to drop by their office when the opened the next morning to inquire. That night, I sent pictures and prices to Kim and Jennie, and we all agreed if it was still available come morning we would jump on the opportunity.

The following morning, I was the first person in the door at the office. I actually happened to catch the agent as he was about to leave to chat with the owners in their apartment, so I joined him for a tour. The apartment was much smaller that what we had last year, but it was fully furnished and much nicer than other apartments I had seen here in Sevilla. At the moment, the owners were renovating everything and showed me plans to buy all new mattresses and couches. It had everything we had hoped for and more. The owners were a very nice couple and we got on very well, so I decided that this was the place!

It was a good thing I had arrived in the morning when I did, because as I was discussing the contract with the agent, more and more calls came in asking to reserve the apartment — it was a matter of good luck and leg work! When I got in touch with Kim and Jennie, they were both very excited and relieved that we had found such a great place. Even though there was still a lot of time before any of us could move in, we were so excited to start calling it our new home! So, without further ado, here’s my new place: