Movin' On Up to the (West) Side...

I'm no longer homeless!! Yep, I'm a real New Yorker. I sign the lease and move in Monday. It's SMACK in the middle of Times Square (which means even more incentive to visit my sister chick in Florida over New Year's, lol). Elevator building, also a super in the building. I may or may not have a doorman (who doubtfully is named Carlton, unfortunately, becasue that would make my NY experience complete, haha). If we do, it's not fulltime (there's an intercom system), but there's a place for one, so I'm not sure. I forgot to ask. I'll find out soon enough. I don't really care either way, although it would be nice to be able to use my home as my mailing address for packages and the like rather than a mailbox place who will sign for Fed Ex, UPS, and anything larger than my appropriately-postage-stamp-sized mailbox.

I'm about 3 blocks from one friend and 4 from another. As anticipated, it's a postage stamp, but it's a postage stamp with closet space AND postage-sized COUNTER SPACE. Those come at a premium. It's actors-galore. There's a singer living right across the hall, though, who was rehearsing loudly and I didn't hear her a bit while in the apartment, just in the hall. Nice. Sometimes street and white noise can be an advantage.

I can walk to Central Park (on nice days), hop the subway to Chelsea Piers to the driving range, and fall out of bed to the TKTS booth and all Broadway theaters (I think at least three of them are on my block alone).

Okay, now I reeeeeally have to get a job! :)

I really lucked out. My broker and I went to the office and applied in person. The woman who made all the decisions was there and we were able to chat about my financial and job situation. I'm paying a pretty hefty security deposit, but it's not that bad in the grand scheme of things. At least it's money I get back later (with interest).

I'm now an official Mahattan-ite. It wasn't my first choice in locations, but it's not bad. And I'm a stones throw from a lot of places I'd be late at night anyway :) It will probably be a better commute for work, as well, than the UWS where I was primarily looking.

**big, long sigh into a relaxing no-pressure weekend.**

I might still stay in Brooklyn a couple nights since there's a bed there and I'm paid until Wednesday (talk about timing!), but I have a choice. The good news is that I think I'm supposed to move rooms on Monday, so I can bring at least the bulk of my stuff here to Manhattan.

And, as a side note, as long as I give the movers an address by Wednesday, I don't have to pay any storage fees :) :)

I can't believe I've been here almost a month.