On The Doorstep

I was silly enough to think that finding an apartment in Wellington would be easy, especially given the fact that I came from a competitive rental market like San Francisco.  I thought that my training in SF, with its overpopulation and high rents, would send me sailing nonchalantly through the challenging course that is apartment shopping here in Wellington.  

Well, after two weeks of searching for an apartment--excuse me, a flat--I've discovered that practicality can easily overcome idealism.  In my initial search, I was adamant in finding an unfurnished, unshared, 1-2 bedroom flat for $400 max per week (yes, that is how it's done here) that I could make into a private and comfortable home for my boyfriend and I; except, my boyfriend doesn't arrive until January--most likely.  Yet, as I began to view tiny or outdated flats that were nestled up in the steep, bushy hillsides, the idea of being isolated, alone, and in a new city--a new country!--became daunting, even if being alone meant only temporary.  I had wanted to live alone for some time now, even with its isolating social effects, but some of what I wanted began to feel different in this new environment.  And though my boyfriend is committed to immigrating here, it seemed silly that I had centered my lifestyle on an absent person.  Didn't I come here to mingle, mix, and explore?

I came the realization that I should find a comfortably-sized room in a place with 1-2 flatmates, rather than 1-2 bedrooms.  People seem to prefer to live with others here, anyhow, perhaps out of financial need (like in SF), but maybe also out of the social culture.  And couples seem welcome in shared flats.  It's a good way to meet more people, outside of work, and save up for travel.  And if my boyfriend and I really want a place of our own once he's here in the New Year, we can look for one then. 

Of course, looking for a room in a shared flat is also competitive, but being a professional with a job and from San Francisco has its bonus points. I was able to secure one that I really liked fairly quickly.  Now that the flat search is completed (and fingers crossed that with bond and first week's rent paid, everything's settled), I can focus on the things that really matter: planning trips in and around New Zealand!  I'm on the doorstep to the true adventure.  Where should I go first...?