Things are looking up

I have lots of good news to report. Most importantly, I have an apartment! The key was that my agent contacted all possible landlords and asked them if I could pay a year in advance. But, I hear you say, I thought you said you couldn't prepay! I did say that, but I was wrong. I have said on this blog that I frequently don't know what is going on, and this is proof. In this case, I'm delighted to be incorrect. It still took some time, because many apartments were rented by the time we even contacted the landlord, and only if a few would even consider me. But the first place I was able to see I took immediately.

It has many good features: it's on the second floor so I only have to climb 1.5 flights of stairs, it's in a lovely neighborhood which is quite green and tree-filled by Madrid standards, and it has an air conditioner. It also has a bidet and a tv, which were two things I didn't think I'd ever possess. I have already made friends with the portero ( the combination front desk / superintendent / custodian that many apartments have here) because I couldn't figure out how to unlock the doors without an extensive tutorial from him.

I will move in at the end of this week, when my house sitting gig is done. Just one week after I arrived in Madrid, I met some lovely people who were friends of friends and they asked me to house/dogsit while they were on vacation. It's been almost like a vacation, because they have a beautiful apartment with a tiny pool, plus the most adorable dog ever.

Having a signed rental contract means we could proceed with scheduling the many appointments I need for my visa. Tomorrow, if all goes well, I will register my address with the police, which is what they do here instead of taking a census. There are several more steps after that, but I wouldn't want to reveal them to you all at once and spoil the suspense.

Celebrating a new home!