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Welcome to my new blog. It's all about my recently-purchased co-op apartment in Manhattan. I've nicknamed her Betty, for reasons that will eventually become clear.

Previously . . .

I started apartment hunting on a lark in summer 2010. I was about to finish my last year of business school, the market was low, at the time as low as it could go (since then, things have stayed more or less the same, which is bad in economic terms). Anyway, I looked at perhaps a dozen in person, many more online, and kept coming back mentally to an underpriced unit at the bottom of a hill in front of the George Washington Bridge.

I won't give out my address, or even describe in much detail which building I'm in, but I am sure clever or local readers will suss it out. By October I signed a contract; it would take six months to finally close, in part because while still in school, my student loans were not fully consolidated and it was hard to get a definite statement on what my payments would be. I didn't meet with the board until February, and then we had to let the bank formally commit and eventually sign off. I formally took ownership in April.

Since then, I ha the hardwood floors sanded and polished, and I painted two rooms myself. I will have to redo the kitchen because it is way to bright, like the inside of a radioactive papaya. I spent all weekend unpacking, and only finally cleared a good flight path Monday evening. At this point in time, I'm waiting to hear about some building storage, and once I get that, I can move things out of the closet, allowing me to put other things away, allowing me to finally get things into a working order.

I also bought appliances; the refrigerator had to be replaced, and the stove, while workable, just seemed like a good idea as long as the nice men were replacing my refrigerator. I've reduced the crime against humanity that was my kitchen to a misdemeanor; it will be a while before full rehabilitation.

The bathroom is in decent shape; if I had my druthers, I would redo the tile, and there is loose tile in the floor. The tub is cast iron, long, and deep; I love it. It's an odd shape, but relatively high ceilings; I think I'll put in some shelves.

I talk to Betty. We are forming a relationship. The kitchen light is a little twitchy and that may be the first somewhat dangerous task I take on. I spoke up about it, when Betty put the light out while I was doing dishes, and she promptly put it back on. I am not a superstitious person, but it is useful to talk through these minor irritations.