The Flat

Hiya-Jess here. Sorry, we're a bit behind on posts. We finally just got broadband in our place so I'll try to update as much as possible over the next few days.

As many of you already know, Pete and I (and Chase) are comfortably settled into our new flat (see video below for a tour). Strangely enough we ended up choosing a place that is right across the street from the Holiday Inn we were staying in. It definitely made the move-in quite easy and convenient!

So far we love our place and the location. We’re about a 3-minute walk from the hustle and bustle of great restaurants, pubs, and theaters. We also live about 5 minutes from the largest public park in the UK, the Glasgow Green. Needless to say Chase loves this. Dogs can be let off leash and there is plenty of space to play Frisbee. Also, on the corner of the park there is this really, really sweet brewery in an historic building. Dogs are allowed in the pub and there is an outdoor fenced in area for dogs to play together. What a brilliant idea….you can walk your dog after work to the brewery, let the dog burn off some steam, and chat with neighborhood friends, all while drinking an amazing pint of locally brewed beer. I have got to get a job with these people…even if it’s just scooping up doggy poo. ☺

The awesome things about renting a furnished flat?

1) I love the idea of creating less waste and reusing stuff. I mean really, do your plates and cutlery have to be a reflection of you as an individual, or can they just be a means to eating without being a total barbarian?

2) Renting a furnished place made it way easier to move in and we didn’t have to spend a ton of money on new stuff…brilliant. It came complete with dishes, furniture, lamps, etc.

3) We didn’t have to carry any heavy couches up three flights of stairs.

The not-so-awesome things about renting a furnished flat?

1) Exhibit A: This is the result of cleaning out our couch. Notice how big the pile is (Pete’s foot for reference) and notice the diversity of items…chap stick, cigarette, a French fry, a piece of chapatti, pens, etc.

Exhibit A: Couch Contents.

2) Using the toaster that comes preloaded with disgusting crumbs and toast bits from all previous tenets

3) The toilet bowl brush cleaner thing. Thanks, but no thanks. I don’t really want to use the same toilet brush that the last guy used to clean his little poo particles off the inside of toilet bowl. I will spend a few pounds on a new one of those.

5) The little toothbrush holder cups. Again, nice thought to include those, but even if I bleached them three times or dunked them in boiling water, I still can’t bear to put my wet toothbrush where some stranger’s toothbrush has lived.

4) And as for the used bedding, complete with sheets, pillows, duvets, and blankets. I really want to be a good re-user and use what was provided in our place, but I can’t. I just can’t. Something about those items touching someone else’s body night after night just really grosses me out. I know I should just wash them and be done with it, but nope, no can do. Not to mention they smell horrific.