Relocating

[tkj]

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[Ollie123]

Wow, didn't realize Waterloo was so inexpensive an area to live in. I know its not far from Toronto which can be pretty pricy (I'm just across the border on the US side of that region...in fact I can see Canada from the top floor of my office building).

I'll also be in the "needs to learn how to cook" crowd since I eat out a lot (more than I should anyways, more than I'll be able to AFFORD next year). I can boil things, and George Foreman grill things. Beyond that....I'm useless in the kitchen.

 

[tkj]

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[LosingMyMind]

I'll mention that I'm also culinarily challenged (I know its probably not a word... let it go...) That's one of the perks of a significant other. I recommend finding one and making sure you only settle for one that can cook.

 

[Ollie123]

Think we ought to start an SDN "Survival skills" thread. So people can post some recipes/grad student nutrition plans, Hopefully there won't be too many that involve roadkill or BB guns and squirrels.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Think we ought to start an SDN "Survival skills" thread. So people can post some recipes/grad student nutrition plans, Hopefully there won't be too many that involve roadkill or BB guns and squirrels.

Good idea....if SOMEONE would like to start this thread, I'm sure others would contribute to it. Favorite recipes, meal planning tips, etc.

*nudge nudge*

-t

 

[paramour]

I'll mention that I'm also culinarily challenged (I know its probably not a word... let it go...) That's one of the perks of a significant other. I recommend finding one and making sure you only settle for one that can cook.

I agree--this is what I did, but it's not helping when the SO isn't going with you for a year. I forget to eat as is, not sure it's going to be better without anyone to remind me and do the cooking.

 

[paramour]

Think we ought to start an SDN "Survival skills" thread. So people can post some recipes/grad student nutrition plans, Hopefully there won't be too many that involve roadkill or BB guns and squirrels.

My recipes & nutrition plans aren't really compatible. As mentioned previously, I tend to stay away from the cooking area, unless it's deserts and I don't think that's what you want for your meal plan. 😀

 

[paramour]

That sounds like a great place... and the rent doesn't sound too bad. If it wasn't a private bathroom with garage space I'd say it was too pricey, but that really does sound great.

I don't think 600 a month all-inclusive is a terrible deal, though that depends on where you are living. If its Manhattan its a fantastic deal, if its the middle of nowhere, its not quite as good.

Its about what I expect to end up paying in FL for a 1-bedroom in a complex. I've decided I'm just too uncomfortable with the idea of a random roommate, I figure this is probably the last place I need to point out the level of psychopathology in the general public.

It doesn't hurt to look around a bit more, but $375 for everything would be insanely cheap where I am, and we already have an incredibly low cost of living. I wouldn't necessarily expect to find something quite that good.

That sounds like a great deal to me...I'm looking in Wisconsin (which is the mid-west, so I figured relatively cheap)...1 bedrooms that I've been checking out look like they will cost me about 650-700 US which is money to me...I'm used to Waterloo rent which was like 400 CAD....I'm hoping these places come with a robot that can teach me to cook....

Thanks RayneeDeigh, Ollie, & tkj!

I suppose that I'm just in sticker shock. I can somewhat understand the higher price of this room compared to others I've looked at . . . The partner seems to think I should keep looking (he's the one who found the amazing $375 deal when he was commuting out-of-state), but I needed confirmation that I'm truly not insane to think $600 is probably an okay arrangement. Now when I see one bedroom rattrap apartments that I can rent myself for $800-1200 minimum, then I really wonder what's going on.

I did not think living costs would be so different but apparently my southern location has spoiled me tremendously--yet I still gripe at costs here. So, I want to be able to rent a place myself (not a room) for $500-600, not twice that! Ergo, the I'm going to rent a room from someone who's not a complete psycho dilemma! But, then I also seem to have it in my head that my original grossly underestimated costs for a place ($500-600) would be cut in half for a room. Meh. Blame it on me not wanting to dish up the dough since I also have to continue making a house payment for the time being. Sucketh. But, at least I started looking prior to a few weeks before the fall session starts, eh? 😀

I was hoping you guys could help out with a relocating concern that I have.

I'll be starting at the Clinical Psych program in St. John's University in Queens, NY this August (yay! ) and they have extremely limited graduate housing which probably means that I have to find a place to rent on my own. Now here's where the problem lies... I live farrrrrr away from America so flying to NY for a few days to apartment-hunt would be extremely uneconomical. I have seen some places at www.rent.com with a 550 sq ft unfurnished studio going for $900/month which I'm not terribly thrilled about. Furthermore, I won't be able to fly in months in advance just to reserve an apartment so they might all be gone by the time I get there anyway.

I suppose I COULD live in a cardboard castle for a bit, but I would rather reserve that luxury for later. Would contacting current psych grad students at St. John's be my best bet? That would be my last resort as I haven't met any of them yet and housing isn't really the first "conversation" that I want to have with them. Or I could do just pray really really hard for graduate housing... the opportunities are endless!

Would really appreciate any advice from you guys! Thanks in advance!

nononara - Unfortunately with NYC housing you will be paying through the nose no matter what. Doubt you will find anything much cheaper than $900, its just the nature of the city.

Have you met your prof yet? Would you feel more comfortable contacting them and asking if they knew of a grad student who would be willing to speak with you about the housing situation and where most students live? That way it isn't like you are emailing someone out of the blue. The grad students are probably the best resource you'll have for finding out more about housing so I think its your best bet.

I was also having difficulty coming to grips with paying exorbitant amounts for crappy places to live, which is why I'm now searching for a room to rent out of someone's home. Seems to be much cheaper. Prior to that, I was considering what Ollie suggested: contacting someone in the dept to determine if there's anyone who could speak to me about typical housing situations in the area for grad students. One of the students during open house actually recommended that I contact the administrative asst who had helped several of them find places.

If you visited, did you stay with a student while there? You could perhaps contact that person and ask them if they know of anyone currently in the program who is without a roommate (perhaps b/c they're losing one if this was their last year). I thought about doing this as well.

Or, you could contact someone in the dept and ask them to send out your contact info to current grad students regarding potential open housing (if they're unwilling to provide you with names of the entering students for the upcoming year, so you can do it yourself) . I've been to some places where students indicated such announcements were often made through the dept email distribution list, so this might be a possibility.

DEFINITELY do not sign ANY lease before either visiting in person, or have someone you trust and/or can give you an honest answer (ie. not an employee of the building management company).
-p

Excellent advice as always! 😎 I've met many students who were very unhappy with their living arrangements for the first year because they were unable to check it out for themselves prior to moving in and "just went with it". Try contacting someone in the dept or a grad student to ask them if they know anything about the place--They may be able to warn you away from certain areas of town, or even certain residences, or realty companies in general.

G'luck!

 

[LosingMyMind]

I agree--this is what I did, but it's not helping when the SO isn't going with you for a year. I forget to eat as is, not sure it's going to be better without anyone to remind me and do the cooking.

Yay! Well, not really yay, but I'm excited (relieved?) to see that I'm not the only person who has to be reminded to eat.

 

[paramour]

Yay! Well, not really yay, but I'm excited (relieved?) to see that I'm not the only person who has to be reminded to eat.

Woo hoo! Another SDN club in the making. I now have proof for the man o' the house that I am not the only one who forgets to eat.

Sooo, speaking of food . . . anyone else not like their food to touch? He thinks I'm really nutty for this one.

 

[LosingMyMind]

Woo hoo! Another SDN club in the making. I now have proof for the man o' the house that I am not the only one who forgets to eat.

Sooo, speaking of food . . . anyone else not like their food to touch? He thinks I'm really nutty for this one.

Hah! Another commonality! I am especially uncomfortable with things like cooked vegetables where there is inevitably a bit of water terrorizing the rest of the plate.
I might have a problem...😉

 

[paramour]

Hah! Another commonality! I am especially uncomfortable with things like cooked vegetables where there is inevitably a bit of water terrorizing the rest of the plate.
I might have a problem...😉

Oh, my! Two of us could really drive him bonkers. I also can't stand 'water' or food 'juices' sneaking up on the rest of the food on my plate. Hmm, we're not related are we? This could be some genetic oddity restricted to some weird familial groups or something . . .

 

[LosingMyMind]

Oh, my! Two of us could really drive him bonkers. I also can't stand 'water' or food 'juices' sneaking up on the rest of the food on my plate. Hmm, we're not related are we? This could be some genetic oddity restricted to some weird familial groups or something . . .

My aunt is the only other person I know who is afflicted.

The other weird food thing about me is my hatred for nearly all things condiment. My exceptions are A1, bbq sauce and taco sauce. Beyond that and I would rather starve than ingest salad with a hint of dressing or a burger with ketchup or mustard or a sub with mayo. That's the one I'm teased for most frequently.

I'm probably all alone in that one... but I'm more than used to it.🙁

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

The other weird food thing about me is my hatred for nearly all things condiment. My exceptions are A1, bbq sauce and taco sauce. Beyond that and I would rather starve than ingest salad with a hint of dressing or a burger with ketchup or mustard or a sub with mayo. That's the one I'm teased for most frequently.

I'm probably all alone in that one... but I'm more than used to it.🙁

Nah...I have had pts who were like this....you are in the company of others. I happen to love condiments, so the idea of not using them is like trying to imagine what it'd be like to look through my elbow (ie. doesn't make sense).

-t

 

[Ollie123]

I too, hate nearly all condiments.

Only exceptions are hot sauce, and ketchup on french fries doesn't BOTHER me, but I won't seek it out.

I won't eat anything that has even been near mayo let alone contains it. I only eat my salads with no dressing.

 

[RayneeDeigh]

I too, hate nearly all condiments.

Only exceptions are hot sauce, and ketchup on french fries doesn't BOTHER me, but I won't seek it out.

I won't eat anything that has even been near mayo let alone contains it. I only eat my salads with no dressing.

Okay now that's just wrong. 😀

I'm half Ukrainian so I eat sour cream with EVERYTHING. I also love honey dill dip so when I stopped eating meat when I was 9, I started eating it with everything from french fries to crackers. And without mayo, well PitaPit would just be useless.

 

[Ollie123]

Wait, I may have lied.
Do cream cheese and or peanut butter count as condiments? I put those on bagels.

 

[paramour]

My aunt is the only other person I know who is afflicted.

The other weird food thing about me is my hatred for nearly all things condiment. My exceptions are A1, bbq sauce and taco sauce. Beyond that and I would rather starve than ingest salad with a hint of dressing or a burger with ketchup or mustard or a sub with mayo. That's the one I'm teased for most frequently.

I'm probably all alone in that one... but I'm more than used to it.🙁

Nope, sorry, close on that one as well. I hate most condiments (with exception of bbq sauce & ketchup). Even then, I always order my burgers (or any other food) 'plain', which for some bizarre reason causes mass confusion with the cooks. You'd think that it would be fairly simple but it seems to cause them even more difficulty than ordering 10 extra things on it . . . 🙄

 

[paramour]

Nah...I have had pts who were like this....you are in the company of others. I happen to love condiments, so the idea of not using them is like trying to imagine what it'd be like to look through my elbow (ie. doesn't make sense).

-t

Um, sooo, are you telling us that we need to be pts now?

 

[RayneeDeigh]

Um, sooo, are you telling us that we need to be pts now?

LOL well my brother is like you with the plain burger thing, and he has a whole panel of Psychologists and Psychiatrists working on him. 😛 You'd better be careful, you may snap at any moment!

Side note: in the spirit of confidentiality I asked him if I could tell you all that he's a nut. He said "yeah sure, just make sure you tell them that 8 out of my 9 shrinks say I'm sane."

 

[paramour]

LOL well my brother is like you with the plain burger thing, and he has a whole panel of Psychologists and Psychiatrists working on him. 😛 You'd better be careful, you may snap at any moment!

Side note: in the spirit of confidentiality I asked him if I could tell you all that he's a nut. He said "yeah sure, just make sure you tell them that 8 out of my 9 shrinks say I'm sane."

But does he have a letter from said shrinks dismissing him from their care? (I've got a few--they're hanging on my wall!) 😎

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Um, sooo, are you telling us that we need to be pts now?

I'm just saying you aren't alone!

One thing you will learn with working with people, if there is some really random thing...chances are, there is someone into it. If you don't believe me...just try googling random things, and be very afraid of what pops up.

-t

 

[RayneeDeigh]

I'm just saying you aren't alone!

One thing you will learn with working with people, if there is some really random thing...chances are, there is someone into it. If you don't believe me...just try googling random things, and be very afraid of what pops up.

-t

Hmm... speaking of, I know somebody who's sexually attracted to penguins.

No other animals, just penguins.

 

[paramour]

I'm just saying you aren't alone!

One thing you will learn with working with people, if there is some really random thing...chances are, there is someone into it. If you don't believe me...just try googling random things, and be very afraid of what pops up.

-t

Mm, hmm. Nice cover up.

I don't wanna google random things. That sounds dirty . . . of course, I'm afraid of of what pops up with some of the nonrandom things I google. 😀

Hmm... speaking of, I know somebody who's sexually attracted to penguins.

No other animals, just penguins.

😆 Not sure why, but this really made me laugh for some reason.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Ok.....we should probably get back to talking about relocating and whatnot...since that is the thread. In the event penguins or condiments come up during the discussion, feel free to expound.

So how many of you have thought about your impending relocation to another state? Are you going back for another look at the area to determine where exactly you will be moving? Counting on current students & recommendations for a new place of residence? Considering roommates to lessen the financial aspect of it, or do you prefer your privacy?

Basically, how do you plan on choosing where you will live for the next number of years?

-t

 

[RayneeDeigh]

Right, back to the topic at hand!

Paramour, did you decide what to do about that apartment?

 

[paramour]

Right, back to the topic at hand!

Paramour, did you decide what to do about that apartment?

Well, there were these sexy penguins included with the deal, so I asked if he'd be willing to smother 'em in condiments before I made my final decision. 😉

Seriously, though, I haven't made my 'official' final decision although I suspect my mind is already made up. I told the guy that I was waiting to hear back from a few other places this week and I would get back to him as soon as possible in order to give myself some thinking (and possibly searching) time. I did another search today and truly do not think that I am going to find anything better. I may find something cheaper but it likely will not include all the fantastical amenities of this place or it will include lots o' young party animals who wish to barhop all week. And, I can't resist living in an actual house over a dump-y apartment or townhouse/condo . . . although I am well-aware that there are some nice ones out there, so no one jump on me! Just not for me.

If the rent was just $100 lower, I would definitely grab it by now. Instead, I wait and pretend to be mulling over my options. 🙄 THIS is why I am glad that I did not receive more than 2 acceptance offers. I'd be doing the same thing. Should I? Shouldn't I? Should I? Shouldn't I?

I tried to get out of the actual decision by asking the partner what he thought and he told me "do whatever will make you happy". 🙄 Awww, ain't he supportive? Still frustrating though!

 

[RayneeDeigh]

Well, there were these sexy penguins included with the deal, so I asked if he'd be willing to smother 'em in condiments before I made my final decision. 😉

Seriously, though, I haven't made my 'official' final decision although I suspect my mind is already made up. I told the guy that I was waiting to hear back from a few other places this week and I would get back to him as soon as possible in order to give myself some thinking (and possibly searching) time. I did another search today and truly do not think that I am going to find anything better. I may find something cheaper but it likely will not include all the fantastical amenities of this place or it will include lots o' young party animals who wish to barhop all week. And, I can't resist living in an actual house over a dump-y apartment or townhouse/condo . . . although I am well-aware that there are some nice ones out there, so no one jump on me! Just not for me.

If the rent was just $100 lower, I would definitely grab it by now. Instead, I wait and pretend to be mulling over my options. 🙄 THIS is why I am glad that I did not receive more than 2 acceptance offers. I'd be doing the same thing. Should I? Shouldn't I? Should I? Shouldn't I?

I agree, the fantastical amenities are key! Especially the condiment-smothered penguins.

The rent isn't so bad when you think about all the crazy drunk barhoppers you'd be avoiding. A nice quiet house seems like a better choice for a grad student.

I'm kind of biased, I'd take living anywhere that let me have cats over a beautiful apartment any day.

 

[pingouin]

Hmm... speaking of, I know somebody who's sexually attracted to penguins.

No other animals, just penguins.

really? do you, um... have that person's number? 😳


(sorry- could NOT resist. back to your regularly scheduled thread.)

 

[paramour]

I agree, the fantastical amenities are key! Especially the condiment-smothered penguins.

The rent isn't so bad when you think about all the crazy drunk barhoppers you'd be avoiding. A nice quiet house seems like a better choice for a grad student.

I'm kind of biased, I'd take living anywhere that let me have cats over a beautiful apartment any day.

Yeah, I've turned down a few places where others had contacted me because there were already 3-4 people living there. No desire to get sucked into party-mode 24/7. That, and (this may sound odd) but I typically do not like most people, so the probability that I like all 3-4 of the people in residence is extremely low. If I'm expected to be social with 'em? well, might not make for a good living experience. I'm spoiled. I like my quiet. I do not wish to listen to gabby undergrads all night while attempting to study.

And, the ability to take one of my cats is a definite plus! The apts I've viewed thus far aren't that purdy anyway. This house on the other hand is absolutely awesome--actually found it on a real-estate site (recently purchased, so listed as sold but not removed yet), and my measly $600/mth likely doesn't put much of a dent in his mortgage payment. Inside looks like an interior decorator designed it. All new furniture & nifty gadgets & gidgets galore. Even the kitchen looks great--and I don't cook (unless you count my gourmet grilled cheese). Yeah, so I like shiny things. Sue me.

Soo, can anyone tell I'm trying to psych myself up about the place even more to make the upcoming 'yes' easier to say when the time arrives?

 

[RayneeDeigh]

Yeah, I've turned down a few places where others had contacted me because there were already 3-4 people living there. No desire to get sucked into party-mode 24/7. That, and (this may sound odd) but I typically do not like most people, so the probability that I like all 3-4 of the people in residence is extremely low. If I'm expected to be social with 'em? well, might not make for a good living experience. I'm spoiled. I like my quiet. I do not wish to listen to gabby undergrads all night while attempting to study.

And, the ability to take one of my cats is a definite plus! The apts I've viewed thus far aren't that purdy anyway. This house on the other hand is absolutely awesome--actually found it on a real-estate site (recently purchased, so listed as sold but not removed yet), and my measly $600/mth likely doesn't put much of a dent in his mortgage payment. Inside looks like an interior decorator designed it. All new furniture & nifty gadgets & gidgets galore. Even the kitchen looks great--and I don't cook (unless you count my gourmet grilled cheese). Yeah, so I like shiny things. Sue me.

Soo, can anyone tell I'm trying to psych myself up about the place even more to make the upcoming 'yes' easier to say when the time arrives?

That doesn't sound weird at all. One of the reasons I was so against moving to Palo Alto was that I knew I'd have to share an apartment or house with lots of people and I tend not to enjoy being around 95% of people. I think if I was going to have roommates they'd have to be flamingly New York-style gay men. That's about the only group of people I consistently love. haha.

 

[Ollie123]

You aren't the only one paramour - the main reason I'm looking for a one bedroom because I also don't like most people (note that I consider "like" to be different from "get along with" since I DO get along well with almost everyone). Wouldn't want to live with someone I didn't consider a friend though, would make everything more challenging and a lot less enjoyable. I've been living with the same guy for 5 years now, but he has been one of my closest friends since middle school. Were it not for him, I'd probably be living alone here as well.

Is it bad that we're going into what is arguably the MOST people-oriented profession there is, and don't like people😉?

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

really? do you, um... have that person's number? 😳


(sorry- could NOT resist. back to your regularly scheduled thread.)

Your comedic timing is flawless!



-t

 

[RayneeDeigh]

Is it bad that we're going into what is arguably the MOST people-oriented profession there is, and don't like people😉?

Probably! But I can fake it well.

Your comedic timing is flawless!



-t

God I know, that cracked me up.

 

[paramour]

Is it bad that we're going into what is arguably the MOST people-oriented profession there is, and don't like people😉?

Probably! But I can fake it well.

RayneeDeigh, with all this talk about penguins & other 'questionable activities', makes me wonder what else you're good at faking? 😉

Hmm, dissertation topic anyone? I always laugh when one of my undergrads tells me that they want to pursue a career in psychology because they "want to help people" or they "like working with people". Here I thought that I was the oddball because I've always said, "I don't like people. I can't stand people. I want to be a hermit. Please let me work in a basement somewhere so I never see the light of day."

 

[pingouin]

Your comedic timing is flawless!



-t

God I know, that cracked me up.

Thanks. I'll be here all week. 😀

And now to attempt to add something marginally substantive to this thread..

I echo T4C on never taking something sight-unseen. My last relocation was 1998, and I waited until I had moved the 1000 miles to apartment-hunt. Luckily I was moving back to a place I knew, so it was easy to know where to look. Relocation may be happening again for me in the next year or two, and I am so not looking forward to it. Especially the "selling the house" part.

 

[RayneeDeigh]

RayneeDeigh, with all this talk about penguins & other 'questionable activities', makes me wonder what else you're good at faking? 😉

Hmm, dissertation topic anyone? I always laugh when one of my undergrads tells me that they want to pursue a career in psychology because they "want to help people" or they "like working with people". Here I thought that I was the oddball because I've always said, "I don't like people. I can't stand people. I want to be a hermit. Please let me work in a basement somewhere so I never see the light of day."

LOL oh shaddup.


I think people who say they like working with people don't have enough contact with them. People are exhausting.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Is it bad that we're going into what is arguably the MOST people-oriented profession there is, and don't like people😉?

I think people who say they like working with people don't have enough contact with them. People are exhausting.

There is truth to post of these statements, or I can at least relate to them. As an introvert in an extrovert's body, I find people to be quite tiring, and many people annoying the heck out of me. I happen to really enjoy working with difficult patients and severe pathology, it is the regular people who drive me nuts. I think I'd rather give up my (future) license than deal with the worried sick.

I think I just need to win the lottery and buy an island. People can visit....but it may put a dent into my private practice......

I echo T4C on never taking something sight-unseen. My last relocation was 1998, and I waited until I had moved the 1000 miles to apartment-hunt.

I once moved into a place down in b'more, that I did check out in person...but only during the daylight. Had I checked it out at night, I would have found a far different situation. Needless to say, it wasn't one of my better decisions....lesson learned!

-t

 

[RayneeDeigh]

I happen to really enjoy working with difficult patients and severe pathology, it is the regular people who drive me nuts.

-t

EXACTLY! I couldn't have said it better myself.

I've always been able to tolerate and relate to the outcasts of society way better than the "regular" people, despite growing up painfully white and suburban.

 

[pingouin]

There is truth to post of these statements, or I can at least relate to them. As an introvert in an extrovert's body, I find people to be quite tiring, and many people annoying the heck out of me. I happen to really enjoy working with difficult patients and severe pathology, it is the regular people who drive me nuts. I think I'd rather give up my (future) license than deal with the worried sick.

no seriously- were we separated at birth?

I once moved into a place down in b'more, that I did check out in person...but only during the daylight. Had I checked it out at night, I would have found a far different situation. Needless to say, it wasn't one of my better decisions....lesson learned!

-t

That's such a good point, too- checking places out at different times of day or different days during the week. "Safe" neighborhoods may become a lot less so. My little townhouse- which I LOVE- is 2 blocks from train tracks that you can't see from the house. But you sure as hell can hear the trains, especially when they decide to blow the whistle at 2am (to scare away the deer, says a neighbor). Of all the times I visited before buying, I never remember hearing one go by. And now they're just kind of background noise, but man that was a surprise.

 

[RayneeDeigh]

So we've discovered that we're all anti-social and prefer crazy people to sane ones?

To bring this all back to the original discussion, I think this proves that clinical psych grad students should only live with each other. The rest of the world be damned!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

My place was 2-3 blocks from a large hospital. I definitely forgot to factor in 'sirens at 3am'. Though in retrospect, if I were to get shot/stabbed/mugged, etc....it wasn't THAT far to the ER!

So we've discovered that we're all anti-social and prefer crazy people to sane ones?

To bring this all back to the original discussion, I think this proves that clinical psych grad students should only live with each other. The rest of the world be damned!

Oh...just the opposite! I live with a non-psych person, and it is great! He doesn't talk about his job (which I don't understand), and I don't talk about what I do (which he doesn't understand). It is funny though, if you get a group of friends from one side or the other.....eyes glaze over.

In all seriousness, if you can room with someone who 'gets it', it makes it SOOOOOOOO much easier. Working professionals can be good/bad, depending on their work schedule and social life. My housemate is ideal, very laid back, out of the house a lot, and when he is here....often times we don't know the other is here. It isn't that it is silent, but headphones are wonderful inventions!

-t

 

[pingouin]

My place was 2-3 blocks from a large hospital. I definitely forgot to factor in 'sirens at 3am'. Though in retrospect, if I were to get shot/stabbed/mugged, etc....it wasn't THAT far to the ER!

-t

which, in b'more, is important. 😀

(says the penguin who lives in the current "most dangerous city in America")

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

which, in b'more, is important. 😀

(says the penguin who lives in the current "most dangerous city in America")

I lived in B'more when it was Top 5, and I worked in DC..which was way up there too!

Look mom...no bullet holes!

To be honest though, I REALLY enjoyed my time in b'more (outside of that sketchy apartment). It is a great city, pretty safe in most areas, and has a lot to offer for a 'smaller' city. I have some connections up there, so I'm looking seriously there. It'd be like I never left!!

-t

 

[RayneeDeigh]

So you know how everyone said they can't cook?

About half an hour ago I put a pot on the stove to boil water so that I could make my happy little organic bunny-shaped pasta.

I neglected to realize that I turned on the wrong element, so my water sat there blissfully unaware that it was supposed to get hot, while the other element was REALLY BLOODY HOT.

And what did I just decide to touch for a split-second? Yeah, the hot element.

I'm smrt. 🙁 I shouldn't be allowed in kitchens. lol

 

[paramour]

So you know how everyone said they can't cook?

About half an hour ago I put a pot on the stove to boil water so that I could make my happy little organic bunny-shaped pasta.

I neglected to realize that I turned on the wrong element, so my water sat there blissfully unaware that it was supposed to get hot, while the other element was REALLY BLOODY HOT.

And what did I just decide to touch for a split-second? Yeah, the hot element.

I'm smrt. 🙁 I shouldn't be allowed in kitchens. lol

Y'ouch! I saw that one coming before I even read the end of the post. And, this is yet another reason you find someone else to do the cooking for you! 😉

 

[paramour]

I was hoping you guys could help out with a relocating concern that I have.

. . .

Hey, just had another thought regarding housing, forgot about it earlier.

Check to see if there's a law/medical/professional school in that area. If so, find the forums for that type of program--they're often looking for housing/roommates as well. I lurked a law forum for a while and almost hooked up with one of them.

G'luck!

 

[Ollie123]

On the relocation topic, how much stock are people putting in online reviews of apartment complexes? Nearly every complex in the Tampa area I've looked up online has at least a few people talking about how it is a crime-ridden roach habitat where you will have all your stuff stolen, get shot, have to deal with infestation, and alligators will eat your children and pets.

I can't tell if these are just the typical "internet crazies" or if I should take them seriously. Unfortunately none of the places I've lived are on those sites so I can't tell if the reviews about my place (which I love) are equally negative. The fact that I'm a wussy little suburbanite has me particularly uncomfortable about the level of crime I might have to deal with (even if it just break-ins and not violent crime, things like that just NEVER happen where I've been living).

So how much are people relying on the reviews online? Also - if anyone lives in, or is from the Tampa region and might have some suggestions on neighborhoods (or better yet, specific complexes), I'd appreciate a PM.

 

[nononora]

nononara - Unfortunately with NYC housing you will be paying through the nose no matter what. Doubt you will find anything much cheaper than $900, its just the nature of the city.

Have you met your prof yet? Would you feel more comfortable contacting them and asking if they knew of a grad student who would be willing to speak with you about the housing situation and where most students live? That way it isn't like you are emailing someone out of the blue. The grad students are probably the best resource you'll have for finding out more about housing so I think its your best bet.

Definitely email cureent grad students at St. John's, since you are an international student and perhaps not as familiar with the area. I interviewed there and live in NYC. Queens is a fine place; however, you shouldn't blindly select an apt without the counsel of someone who can tell you which blocks to avoid. Some parts are still dicey, like any urban area. Definitely ask grad students or the grad secretary, Mike, who seemd really helpful, for some advice.

DEFINITELY do not sign ANY lease before either visiting in person, or have someone you trust and/or can give you an honest answer (ie. not an employee of the building management company).

-p

Thank you all for the help! It sounds like I should be getting in touch with the grad students then 🙂 I'd also rather live alone for a bit till I get to know people better... much like you guys, I get along with almost everyone but really like almost no one!