Differences of opinion
My list of priorities when evaluating apartments:
- Must have hardwood floors. This, although utterly shallow, is a complete deal-breaker for me. My decorating vision and carpet or tile just don’t complement each other.
- Must have a kitchen that does not inspire revulsion, claustrophobia, or panic. If total counter space does not exceed one square foot, or if the fridge harbours the odor of something dead, I probably can’t envision myself whipping up gourmet dinners there.
- Closet space must be adequate. Adequate, in this case, refers to the ability to accommodate all my clothing and at least sixty pairs of shoes with ease.
- When I look in the corners, nothing should appear to be crawling.
- It needs to have the “it” factor: By “it”, I mean that I have to be able to envision myself hosting a dinner party or wine and cheese night there for a large group of friends.
My mother’s list of priorities when helping me evaluate apartments:
- Do the doors lock?
- What is the likelihood that the building will survive a 9.0 earthquake without so much as a crack?
- Do any drug dealers, pedophiles, or otherwise generally creepy people live in the building?
- Are there — or has there ever been — so much as one single insect or rodent in or within a three kilometre radius of the building?
- Is the neighbourhood home to respectable, upstanding citizens?
