We Have a Home!

Good news arrived today-- our application was accepted on our favorite apartment which we saw last week!  Since we arrived we've seen 7 units and applied for 3 of them.  The unit we ended up getting is one that we mentioned on the blog last week, in Plainpalais.  Now we just need to sign the lease, which is scheduled for tomorrow.  By the time we arrive back in Geneva after our two weeks in the states, we will have the keys and the apartment will have some temporary furniture already moved in.  We'll be responsible for moving all of our belongings from our temp unit to our permanent one.  Pretty simple, really.  Then our sea shipment should arrive the first week of August.

More about the unit-- it's 61 sq. meters, which is roughly 650 square feet (pretty small).  The building was constructed in the early 1900's so the unit has tall ceilings and a lot of the old character that one would expect in Europe.  Ang just melts over the little details that date the apartment.  The door & window handles, the built in storage, the crown molding on the ceiling, there's even original ceiling decor above where a chandelier would hang-- it is all so incredible.  The kitchen was recently renovated and we were pleased to discover that it comes equipped with both a dish washer and a washing machine (each alone are uncommon in Geneva and having both is a true rarity).  The location is especially nice as well.  The unit is just a couple minutes from tram lines to anywhere in Geneva and only a 20 minute walk to the office.

We visited the unit again today to take measurements and pictures to share.  Dave has already drawn out the floor plan on his computer and arranged our furniture to see how it all would fit (nerd).  So far it appears that everything coming over will fit.  The best news is that the guest room (7'9" x 6'8") should fit our guest bed (we were a little worried)...but nothing else-- haha.  We're happy to say that our promise to have a guest room available for friends and family worked out just fine...barely. :)

Here are pictures of the unit.  Most are self explanatory, but just in case-- in order from left to right, top to bottom:  #1. Street entrance (with happy tenant)  #2. Front door into entry room  #3. Living Room (with small balcony)  #4. "Master" Bedroom (with small balcony-- and a bunch of paint/maintenance supplies because they're still finishing the place)  #5. Closer look at the Bedroom balcony (sorry, pretty dark photo)  #6. View from outside the bedroom balcony  #7. Kitchen  #8. Bathroom  #9. Guest Bedroom  #10. Door handle (for all of the interior doors)  #11. Window lock (for all interior windows)  #12. Crown molding & original ceiling detail

There you have it.  An answer to prayer to say the least.  We can't wait to move in at the end of the month.  Hopefully the next pictures you see should show us moved in, unpacked and relaxed!