Apartment Hunting

I have learnt A LOT in the last three weeks about what the right apartment would be for me here (and for Euan when he arrives). There are lots of intricacies to negotiate. The following are some examples…

Example 1: People intricacies come in many forms, but here is one example..

“My cousins mother owns an apartment in Piazza Fontanessi, he speaks english, I’ll give you his number”….. fast forward …..”oh, sorry- it was with an agent & the agent has rented it to someone else”.

I have found this is a typical kind of story in an apartment hunt here. To the point where I now say if it is already gone, or promised to someone else, please tell me now if it is really available or not (before I get my hopes up!).

Example 2: Location & cost intricacies…

  • If you want a safe, light, non- isolated, handy to school location then ideally near the Historic Centre of town is a good spot.

  • If you want 2 rooms (bathroom/toilet being one and bedroom/living room /kitchen being the other, you will pay approximately €400 a month.

  • If you want one bedroom, a separate bedroom and a separate kitchen, you will pay approximately €500-650 a month.

  • If you want a home where you can have visitors, i.e. 2 bedrooms & bathrooms + separate kitchen, living/lounge and laundry you will pay €750-€900 a month.

Example 3: Agent intricacies…

I have had two lovely agents, one Carolina (I found her) and the other Andrea (the Reggio Childhood Foundation organised for me). Through them I have learned that apartments are being snapped up as fast as they come in and that actually getting to view an apartment is no mean feat. I have REALLY appreciated their help!

I have also appreciated the help of Daniela, my colleague who rings up and speaks Italian to the apartment owners on my behalf…as you can imagine the language barrier is inhibiting and she has been wonderful negotiating on my behalf!

A bonus of apartment hunting- finding new cafes!

A bonus of apartment hunting- finding new cafes!

I haven’t found an apartment yet. Currently I am staying with a generous Canadian woman named Margaret; I met Margaret at the cafe of New Zealand woman (and original kiwi farm girl) Nicky, who owns a delicious cafe in Piazza Fontanesi called Story Kitchen.

Story Kitchen (and NZer, Nicky at the back with chefs hat on and Margaret, hostess extraordinaire, Margaret & Tony her husband, front left.

Story Kitchen (and NZer, Nicky at the back with chefs hat on and Margaret, hostess extraordinaire, Margaret & Tony her husband, front left.

Margaret and her husband Tony are from Toronto, but they live between their two homes. He still works in their Architecture and Interior design business, so she is here on her own a bit. She is a people person and enjoys the company- but I am really appreciate of a cosy place to come home to - and all her tips about living here. This Saturday she is going to show me the antique fair, just down the train line in Modena; I have directions to the best bread, cheese and coffee shops! What more could one want!!