The New Digs
Well, it’s official, I got my apartment. The landlord went for the offer. I’ll be moving in probably this weekend, maybe early next week.
Okay, here’s the details. It’s never been lived in before. It’s in a gorgeous high-rise building on the 25th floor. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, about 1,200 square feet. Hardwood floors through the apartment, with floor-to-ceiling windows in the bedrooms. Both the bedrooms are corners. There is a different view of the city from every room. At night the cityscape looks like Blade Runner. It’s fully furnished with brand new stuff. As part of the lease the landlord has agreed to buy a brand new HD television, as well as a washer and dryer. (Dryers are not common in China.) The rent also includes T1-speed internet access and satellite television. There’s a state of the art security system, so that when guests come to visit I have a little LCD monitor near the door, letting me see them before I tell the doorman to let them in the building. The complex features an olympic-length lap pool, and a full gym with professional trainers. It also has two restaurants, a day spa and massage salon, and a little convenience store-type shop. All of this is included in the cost of the lease.
As part of my employment contract I was given a housing stipend. All I have to do is pay anything over and above the stipend. Thus I get everything you see above for about $395 a month.
Beats the shit out of paying $1,100 and looking at a supermarket wall, huh? When I move in I’ll post pictures.
