Finding a Place in Princeton

Earlier this morning we went to FedEX Office and got help from a very pleasant clerk in scanning our financial documents to send to Stephanie at Barkley Square in Princeton.  We applied for a 3 bedroom apartment online last Friday. We are not quite settled however because Stephanie needs our 2018 income tax returns which we don't have and I guess 2017 returns won't do.

We will not be able to get the apartment until July 13.  We will need to be out of this house on June 1.  I don't know what we will do in those six weeks.  We both thought of making that our time to go to the United Kingdom and have Jim do his RH Charles research but Jim is having second thoughts about the confusion that might ensue if we are not in the States at that time.  We will figure that out later.

We felt that we had to make a decision this week when we realized that there were virtually no 3 bedroom apartments available on the Princeton side of Route 1.  Avalon should have one coming up today but it is only 1299 square feet whereas the one we have applied for is 2000 square feet.  Barclay Square is  about four miles from downtown Princeton but it is not a congested route across Route 1.  Avalon is right in town but is more expensive and you even have to pay a monthly parking fee.

Hampshire II is on the second floor with no one above us.  I'm not keen on steps with my hip bothering me but it's only one flight.  So much space means we don't have to get rid of as much stuff--furniture, books, memorabilia, maybe even the piano and dining room set.  Jim can have a study; I can have an extra bedroom.

Susan has been so helpful in checking out places and she and Jeff sent photos yesterday.  We feel reassured to have a place in mind and if we don't like it, the commitment is not permanent.  But I have a feeling we will enjoy the luxury of walk-in closets, gas fireplaces, heated garage, quartz counter tops, etc.  There is a walking and biking trail very nearby that can take us one mile along Lake Carnegie to Kingston where there is at least a post office, a coffee shop, and a few restaurants.

It's all a very big adventure and most of the time I am excited.  I'm glad Jim and I can do this together.  Even he is waking up early at times contemplating what has to be done.  I have been surprisingly calm at least in the last few weeks when decisions have been made to go ahead with the process.