Ok, so talk me off my ledge.....or not. I just saw my first apartment-and I am REALLY tempted to take it. Or am I nuts???

Area: Madrid de las Austrias. It's right in the place I always walk to whenever I come to Madrid. It's at Calle Rollo 10-which is set back off of Calle Segovia right where San Andres meets it by a little bit of plaza.

I like it because it is unique (I think-but it's the first place I have seen, so what do I know? But it's not a box in the sky-which I would HATE). It's got some things I LOVE and some things I would have to work with (what place doesn't).

The good: AMAZING terrace with beauteous views-will be party central-I could live on the terrace. Washer and dryer (oh yes), nice building, fourth floor-great sun on south facing terrace and little office(the orange room) right off of it, nice entryway/foyer in the apartment. Apartment feels big because it has a lot of space-even though it is a bit chopped up into odd spaces and has a long hallway (12 meters or so) connecting. Terrace is probably 30 m2 and apartment maybe 70m2. Decent sized kitchen with plenty of counter space and lots of closets and storage space. Two bathrooms. The living room windows face onto buildings across what is essentially a private garden/little park (not actually private, but you wouldn't know it's there). You can see church steeples out the front and the back.

The bad: some street noise from Calle Segovia-but only in the front of the apartment. Bedroom (the blue room) and living room (the pink room) face side and back. Living room on the small side and narrows to windows so is going to be an odd space to furnish. Good light-not the most amazing ever-but good.

The floors aren't beautiful-change from tile to marble to wood, but so what? Place needs to be painted-but, I figure, no biggie. Available right away. I asked what the landlord needed and he said a couple of months of fianza-he said regardless of what length lease we sign, that, by rights, I could have the place for five years. He has another couple who came to see it today, but told me he would give me first dibs (if I let him know soon-ie: today) because I was there first. (which may be so much bull***-also-I think I heard they couldn't take it till December or before). Am I crazy to think of taking the first place I have seen? I have not seen anything online to compare with this-and have just started looking. But maybe I'm wrong! What do you think? 1100 Euro-comunidad incluida
See link below.
http://inmobiliaria.segundamano.es/fichaI.cfm?id=281669...pio=664&iddistrito=0

hey Wendy.

looks sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!! but is pricey for a one bedroom you are definitely paying for the terrace there. that terrace will make even me jealous

the office could do as a guest room or throw a sofabed in the livng room so i guess that is cool for visits.

noise: would not worry too much about that since you are 4 floors up and it looks like you have double doors (wooden shudders and then the glass doors).

i don't put too much importance on the taking the first place you see thing. if it is within your budget and you love it, snatch it up.

quote:

"cuarto sin ascensor"

welcome to the 4th floor walk-up club!!! (president: jer, vp: Candela ). not to worry, you will either get used to it or move out within a month. could replace the trainer you left back in nyc

saludos,
jer...

I am all ABOUT the fourth floor walk-up! I have that here in the hostal (though have the elevator as an option, so that's kind of cheating). It's probably not right to think of this as a one bedroom, since there is a study as well......As for the terrace-I envision MUCH merrymaking going on there! And all will be invited ('cause you're ALL going to fit!)I think I'm going to do it! Did you notice there is a beer fridge on the terrace? Reason ALONE to take it!

If you can afford it, I think you should take it! You might be able to find a cheaper place, but not with a terraza like that one in La Latina. The rents just keep going up and up around here.

I spend hours and hours at the little "jardin" across the street from that place--it's one of my favorite rincones in Madrid. And Plaza de la Paja... It's ridiculously picturesque.

We live on the other side of the 'hood, right over the La Latina metro. We love the neighborhood.

If you want the place, offer them a señal--asap. Don't trust them to hold it for you until cold hard cash changes hands (and get a receipt--or better yet the keys in return).

What is out there is so unpredictable that you might happen upon the place of your dreams on your first outing and not somewhere down the line no matter how many places you look at.

My thought on this is that you should have certain minimum requirements or rules for yourself and when you find a place that satisfyies your minimum and you feel good about it then take it even if it is the first or second place you see.
However, I do feel that in my own case 700 euros is my limit for a one bedroom and 800 to 900 euros for a two bedroom.
If you do not have to be in the center and can look at enough stuff you will find two bedrooms out there for 600 euros a month and two to three bedrooms for 900 to 1000 euros a month.
I am bound to the center because of my business, but anyone else with more flexibility can find some good deals out there if they take the search seriously and look at 3 to 5 places everyday.

the place is technically a 2bdr, so the price is really not bad. sunny's great place was 900 and that didn't have a terrace. also, you can't beat the location. it is central without being grungy.

the guy sounds nice and only 2 months fianza is a dream. lots of landlord out there are hitting peeps up for a full-year up front!!!!

it sounds amazing and it sounds like you. and sometimes good things do just fall into your lap!!!

candela

Thanks guys-I called the guy and told him I would take it! He sounded very pleased! And the more I think about it, the happier I am. I LOVE that neighborhood. I mean, if I am going to live in Madrid, it should LOOK like that-right? He is drawing up the contract right now and we will get it completed in a couple of days (he lives outside of the city.) As soon as I get place painted and a little set up (not much, just a little), we will have a christening party on the terraza!

Thank you for ALL your advice as always!!!!!!

saludos,
jer...

Jer-you said there was some tax issue you wanted me to know about?

hey schwendy, good memory, the only thing in my head after the get together last night is a sangria ache

yes, it is called the "ibi" ("impuesto sobre bienes inmuebles").

the closest thing in u.s.a. would be propety tax.

it is a tax that the owner of an apt. has to pay yearly. for the avg. apt. it is about 200 euros per year.

technically, the owner has to pay it but many try to slide it into rental contracts as something the renter has to pay. it is totally legal for them to do that so if the owner insists that you pay it as part of the contract, then you will have to.

my example: our apt. in the plaza mayor is cosidered "patrimonio" and the building is too old to be subject to the ibi so neither we or the owner pays it but ena's sister carmen rents an apt. in arguelles and her landlord makes her pay the ibi every year.

since you are paying a healthy amt. of rent as it is, you should tell the landlord that he should pay the ibi (if he tries to get you to pay it from the start). if i were you i would insist upon it.

just a heads-up before you sign your contract. ask the landlord about it before ou have a an extra 200 euro surprise

for more booooooring details on the ibi, see http://www.iaf.es/tramites/hacienda/capi016a.htm

saludos.
jer...

Thanks for the heads up!

Oh yes, it is MINE!!!! Going to fork over cash and get keys tomorrow!!!!!

Ok, got it-and I love it more than I remembered! Thanks so much! Ok, now I need (1) a locksmith to change the locks (2) a good cleaning service to thoroughly scour the place (a bit nasty right now-esp the kitchen)and take away some broken/ugly bits of furniture (3) and a bed (just a mattress and frame really) Any suggestions?

Also, is there recycling in Madrid center? I did not see any special receptables in my building. Or do I just mix it all together? Thanks!

Well for a locksmith, I'd look in the "Paginas Amarillas" for a locksmith "Cerrajero" in Spanish, ditto for a cleaning company.

Bed and Mattress, Ikea is probably your best bet.

As far as recycling goes, if you want to recycle you'll need to look around the streets near to where you live and you should find 3 recycling bins, one for glass, one for paper, one for plastics.

P.S As regards changing your locks you might want to clear that with your landlord first, he/she might not be to keen on the idea!

hey Wendy, congrats girl!!!

ok, as a good board member, you really need to let us know what happened with the ibi tax i mentioned you should ask about.

ditto on most of what EnglishPilot said, especially the lock changing. make sure you get permission to do so from the owner and of course, gived him/her a copy of the keys.

if you do change them, contact "Steve Savage" (board member, i think you are having him paint your place) first. he does handyman stuff but i do not know if locksmithing is one of his talents, you can give it a shot.

there is a set of recycling bins right on "calle segovia", on the corner of "travesía del nuncio" (right around the corner from your place). MAP HERE. i am pretty sure that is the closest set to your apt. but there may be a set even closer on "calles sacramento", have a look around.

saludos,
jer...

Wendy, congrats on your place. Welcome to the 'hood. Can't wait for that terraza party.

There are recycling bins all over the city--for sure in front of Mercado de la Cebada and on Calle de Toledo, just north of the La Latina stop. But I'm sure there are others closer to you. They are the different-colored (green, yellow and something else) sort of dome-shaped containers that you have probably been visually tuning out.

About getting rid of the big stuff.... I think you just missed the big "trastos" pickup that they do every fall and spring (in fact, I think it is tonight). You might try just putting the intact furniture out at the curb a bit at a time when no one is around and see if it gets snatched up quickly. The trash guys will pick up some broken stuff, but not too much at a time.

Do you have any shelves you are getting rid of?