Apt. Hunting pt. 1

Yesterday (Saturday), some guys from my school/company took me on a motorbike ride through Shanghai to find apartments. I had originally thought that Mr. Lu (Big Boss) was going to be driving his car over to meet me, but instead two guys show up on bikes. And when they said, “get on, let’s go” my first thought was, “really?”

I have been on those Asian motorbikes before in Taiwan. They are pretty fun and you start to feel kinda native to the land, except real natives can probably tell right away that you are nothing more than a foreigner. We rode from the Minhang District to the Xuhui District, which while they are right next to each other, it still made for approximately a 30 minute bike ride. Too bad I didn’t get a picture of me on the motorbike, though Ryan said he wanted a picture I have no idea whether he was able to take one before I left him at the hotel.

To be frank, the first apartment we saw was crap. The hallways were pitch black, the space was tiny, and the owner thought Leo (the younger of the two guys who was taking me around) and I were a married couple and was questioning why we would even need two beds. Dodgy old man. The only good thing? It was located in the middle of town. Literally. I could see the big ball-shaped building (recognizable landmark!) from the window. Though not worth it. I think the guys could tell that I didn’t like it because we didn’t even bother asking for the rent.

The second place, while the area was an upgrade, the inside was for a lack of better words, even crappier. The kitchen was the living room and the living room was the kitchen. One of the beds was a futon/bamboo cover. The bathroom was old and gross looking. I guess I’m American and have high standards.

The last place we saw was a whole lot better. It was better lit, the space was bigger and it just felt more comfortable. The old guy that came with me said, “This place doesn’t even compare to the first two. Those first two were too ”bad“.” And apparently it is convenient to things as well. Such as IKEA. Which I could see from the window. LoL. I think this place may be the default if I don’t see anything better. Now, if only I can get Sina to respond to my emails and constant badgering so that we can come to an agreement. Let me tell you, apartment hunting is hard if your roommate is in another country, in a different time zone.

Today, the plan is for Leo to take me and Ryan out to look at some more places. Ryan wasn’t able to make it on Saturday because he was doing observations. And me, well because I guess I am picky. I want to live it up in Shanghai, with the nice apartment and my “Western” salary, but Shanghai is probably like the West LA of California. Hard to find a nice apartment with a set budget. If only I had an unlimited fund. I would then be so cool.