Last night at 3 Spoons (a local frozen yogurt place here), Mathew uttered these words to me. My heart completely skipped and I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped. A place to live?! You mean…of.our.very.own?!
The thought of finding a place to live has really started since my friend Ryan and his wife Jessica moved here to Waco in June. When they came and surprised us it really got us thinking that we ought to start looking for a place for real. Yeah we’d looked at a couple apartments, and although they were quite fancy, we had to be realistic and say that they were not in our price range at all. Needless to say, we needed to find another approach.
Ryan and Jessica moved into a duplex very close to our home (and by ours, you know that I mean Mathew’s family’s house, where I live), and it was SUPER cheap. It really got us thinking about duplexes in the area, and thus began our research. We found one that we really liked. We didn’t even get to go inside it, but it was really nice from what we could see through the blinds and it even had a carport in the back. Of course, it was available WAY too soon, and someone is already renting, but it doesn’t keep us from looking in the area.
I wrote down a couple duplexes on that same street that just became available this week. Since I started my first day of my new job yesterday (which I’m SO glad I got because I completely bombed the interview–and yes, crying ensued in the car after the interview was over), it really got us to thinking that we both have our official income and now we can start looking for a place to live!
We’ve got 3 1/2 months left until the wedding. Is this too soon to start looking for a duplex/apartment/ etc? I know duplexes go on the market as early as 30 days before the mover needs to move, so I’m just wondering if we’re smart in doing this now. Sure, we’d like to stay at an apartment because of the amenities (um, pool anyone?), but they’re all $800 and over around here. 1-2 bedroom duplexes on this side of town (the good part) run only $725-775 and are much bigger than apartments. We really want to call these realtors and find a place of our own!
I think it’s definitely a good time to start looking, as long as you don’t think it will add to the craziness and stress on top of the wedding planning. I know some couples who look while planning and others who wait, so I think it really just depends what you prefer for your own sanity.
so exciting!!!!!! there is nothing like having a place to call home
It’s never too soon to start looking. You have a chance to casually scope out the places that you really love. Also a realtor may know of some places that aren’t available yet but will be soon. Most tenants have to give 30 days but then the place needs to be cleaned and painted. That puts it at at least a month and a half. Have fun with the searching. That’s very exciting!!! And I can’t believe how inexpensive housing is there. I’m jealous!
I’d say definitely start “looking” now if only to get an idea of what you both like and don’t like. the more places you start to see, the more you will both start to decide together what you’re willing to compromise on or not. so I would do some casual, non-aggressive looking around at this point and then when you knoooow you’re ready, you’ll be all ready to really tackle the hunt and know exactly what you’re looking for. Good luck, that’s so exciting!!! I know what it’s like to live with the future in-laws, good..but anxious to get your own place I’m sure.
Definitely start looking, but yes as long as it does not add too much stres for you with the wedding close. We actually just signed a lease for a house to rent and will be moving in this weekend!! Good Luck Steph! You will LOVE having your own place!
Hi Stephanie – just found you through Teenage Bride and wanted to say a quick hello … and good luck house hunting! I think it makes for fun dates AND it’s a good way to make sure you’re both “on the same page”
start looking!! that’s so exciting! i’m jealous! we kind of went in the opposite direction haha. we had a place (a townhouse situation) and when we got closer to the wedding.. we moved in with his parents. it saved money and was easy. now we’re just making sure we’re financially stable. so we’ll probably stay here for another year.
i think getting your own place is always scary but it doesn’t mean it’s not the right thing to do! just make sure you’re completely open with each other about what you think, where to live, how much is okay.. etc.