but, with a landlord who raises rent $200 a year (is that even legal?), the time had come to move. and i went out into the world of apartment hunting prepared for a major downgrade. the only problem was, i was downgrading without paying any less money! turns out the renting market is INSANE these days.
after several weeks of looking at a lot of this...
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| entryway looking into living room/sunroom |
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| living room/sunroom angle 1 |
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| living room angle 2 |
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| hallway leading to entryway and living room |
signing the lease tonight. giggles.
and you may notice the title of the post and frequently used pronoun "we."
that would be me and this guy. whoa big step. /very exciting developments happening, people. mike and i had a celebratory dinner last night after finally settling on our new place. it's an august 1 lease so i have QUITE a bit to do around here before then...
who's excited?!
(i'm taking a page out of bailey q's book and naming this home, since all the posts about the last place were called "new apartment," all posts regarding THIS new apartment will be under the tag "Belle")
It's beautiful! Glad your search was successful... and so good chatting with you yesterday!
ReplyDeleteWow Alaina that's fantastic!!! Congratulations! I bet you guys are going to make the place absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIt looks amazing! Can't wait to see what you do with it. You and Mike I mean!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Alaina! Looks beautiful--and a huge NO, it is not legal to raise rent by $200/year. There's actually a set percentage by which a landlord can raise your existing rent.
ReplyDeleteYikes. Sounds like a good idea that you got out of there.
Alaina your new place is gorgeous, I am so excited for you and the boy!! Cannot wait to follow along with the decorating of Belle! xo
ReplyDeleteso exciting!!! Can't wait to see it with all of your beautiful touches :)
ReplyDeleteabsolutely gorgeous!!! eeeeee! so excited for you!!
ReplyDeleteAlaina, your new place looks fantastic! Love the windows, layout and all the natural light it's getting. I am so excited for you!
ReplyDeleteI am sure you will make it beautiful and fab! Looking forward to follow your decorating adventure!
By the way, I am hosting a great giveaway! Come by and enter for a chance to win $100 credit towards a beautiful personalized canvas!
http://www.mixandchic.com/2012/07/product-review-and-giveaway-reflections.html
Have a good week!
Jessie
www.mixandchic.com
Congrats! That apartment looks beautiful! I'd love to move back to Chicago and live in a place that is as charming this!
ReplyDeletewww.Love-and-Whimsy.blogspot.com
Attorney here... unfortunately it is legal for your landlord to raise your rent as much as he likes unless your place is rent-stabilized (does that even exist in Chicago? I'm a New Yorker). Leases are private contracts, so they're not regulated by the state.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the outrageous rent hike was a blessing in disguise, though. The new place looks wonderful.
Wow. I'm so excited for you. Let me just say I can't wait to see how you decorate the place.
ReplyDeleteSo so exciting!!
ReplyDeletewowie! beautiful! i have to say i lived in chicago 8 years, and i constantly was glued to craigslist looking for a new bigger better brighter place. i lived in the albany park neighborhood for 7 years...this looks like (and sounds like) the kinds of deals up near those parts...what neighborhood are you moving to?
ReplyDeletecheers!
Alicia
Your new place is gorgeous! I can't wait to see it with all of your furniture and personal touches!
ReplyDeleteYour new place is like an apartment that dreams are made of. The huge space, the big windows, the open entryways. I'm actually obsessed with it. Congratulations, I am so happy for you!!!!
ReplyDeletexx
collegiatechic.com
Your new place is beautiful. Upwards and onwards! 2012 is turning out to be a landmark year for you. PS-sometimes I get down about my furniture and think--am I doing enough to make my place an enjoyable environment and then I go househunting and I realie my place is more than fine!
ReplyDeleteSO exciting, congrats! Can't wait to see how you fill this place ;)
ReplyDeleteWow that place looks amazing! If you don't mind me asking...what neighborhood? Did you use Craigslist, or something else? My H and I may be moving this fall and I dreading the apartment hunt!
ReplyDeleteYayyy!!! Congratulations on your new beautiful place and the big step with your man! :) I just moved from Phoenix to LA and had to leave behing my beautiful, inexpensive, vintage charming apartment. I'm hoping to have half your luck in finding a new place in Los Angeles... Here's wishing! haha
ReplyDeleteCongrats! So happy for the two of you. Can't wait to see the new place.
ReplyDeletecongrats!!!! looks fantastic, so glad you found something :)
ReplyDeleteThe photos are gorgeous! I MUST come see it when you're done. Yay for taking a HUGE step with your guy. Can't wait to see more photos once you get settled in. :)
ReplyDeleteI am very exited for you!!! What a great beginning and a great apartment!
ReplyDeletewww.azrakunworld.com
Congratulations! Beautiful place :). Isn't it amazing to see how some people live?!?!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Your new home looks gorgeous! Wishing you and the beau lots of happiness!
ReplyDeleteThat's exciting! Hope you'll share it when your all moved it!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!! That's a huge and exciting step! I can't wait to see how it all turns out- you are my favorite decorator!
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice space! So happy you were able to find something! My boyfriend and I looked around for months and final decided to stay at my current place.
ReplyDelete-Nico
So exciting! Can't wait to see the new home come together :)
ReplyDelete~Edyta
http://www.edytaandco.com/blog-4/
The new place looks amazing!! Congrats on finding it!! :)
ReplyDeletexo Andrea
Wonderful and Marvelous
That apartment is gorgeous. Congratulations! Hope the move and everything surrounding it will go quick and smooth, so you can do a house tour! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHannah from I am a lifestyle blog
congrats! looks like a great place.
ReplyDeleteAlaina, I love reading your blog! I'm really, really, really (!) hoping you'll take us through the whole decorating process of your new home, room by room. You have such great syle and I'm sure it'll be wonderful...and, congrats on the happieness in your relationship. I hope you have a blast living together! X Heidi
ReplyDeleteA Chicago find, I LOVE your new place!
ReplyDelete