I think Andreas and I found an apartment last night. It’s ideal location: up on 14th at the tip top of Capitol Hill, in a neighborhood I’ve lived in off and on since 1997. Two blocks from 15th Ave, with all its restaurants, bars, cafes, dance/yoga studios, grocery stores, etc; and six blocks from Broadway, with all its boutiques, restaurants, cafes, homeless kids, and bookstores. Also! Three blocks from Volunteer Park, which is perfect for both afternoon picnics and late-night gay cruising. Plus, Volunteer Park has a cool antique greenhouse conservatory that stays warm and toasty during the winter months – best S.A.D. treatment in Seattle, second only to the Butterfly House at the Seattle Center.

The apartment is on the second floor of an old mansion that’s been broken into four units. We’d have the upstairs rear: a one bedroom with hardwood floors, bay windows in the livingroom, and a bathroom that was clearly an afterthought. Sadly, the bay windows look out on the neighboring apartment building instead of the gorgeous backyard/garden/courtyard, and the kitchen is small and funky, but whatever. These are the sacrifices you make when your rent is OVER FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS less than what you’re currently paying. Cheap. And only a six month lease, which is nice just in case the funky “Oh look, I walked in the door and right into a wall!” layout of the apartment proves to be less novel after living there for a few months.

Saddest sacrifice? It is with a heavy heart that I say fairwell to having a dishwasher. It was nice while it lasted. Dishwashers are really cool.

Anticipated move-in date: 11/1.

Oh, and just to make sure I really know that I’m home: yesterday was the rainiest day on record in Seattle. No joke! It was awesome.