We’re back! Okay, so we were never really gone but it feels like forever since we last posted an update.
Needless to say, things have been a bit turbulent around here. We basically have our whole lives to sort within the space of a few weeks. We’re selling our house, car and loads of our possessions, we’re finding new jobs, we’re moving country, we’re trying to find somewhere to live and to top it all off we’ve had lots of friends and family visiting which meant that we just weren’t getting around to doing anything. The fact that we also hosted a murder mystery party probably didn’t help with my stress levels – especially when I decided that it would be a good idea to cover our dining room floor with straw!
Finally, though we’re starting to see some progress and have some more news to share.
A couple of weekends ago we popped over to Berlin in an attempt to find somewhere to live. What we didn’t realise before starting this new adventure is that Berlin is a really popular city (yep, we could have guessed that bit) and there just aren’t enough apartments available for the amount of people looking for one. Basically, you queue up with about 10 other people, bring your whole life in paperwork, try to make a good impression and hope for the best.
All together we viewed 7 apartments (actually it was only 6 as we accidentally viewed one apartment twice – ups!) none of which were perfect and all had different pros and cons but most of them seemed like they’d be a good starting point for our time in Berlin.
After an anxious few days of waiting to hear back, we finally received the news we’d been waiting for – we could have the apartment we most wanted! To say that it’s a relief to know that we’ll have somewhere to live is a bit of an understatement. Until we received the news, I’d not realised how much the situation of not knowing where we’d be living had been stressing me. We love our home here in the UK and the thought of giving it up for the unknown has definitely been taking its toll.
We didn’t take a single photograph during the 3 days we were in Berlin which is probably the longest time I’ve gone without taking a picture for the last 4 years. It was a bit weird but it was good for us to take a step back and just concentrate on finding somewhere to live and getting to know Berlin. Although we can’t share an image of our new home just yet (we’ll, of course, be sharing loads as soon as we’re there) I have drawn a quick sketch of the layout.
The long-term plan is still to buy somewhere and I couldn’t resist already having a look at what’s available and ended up finding the most amazing apartment, ever! At the moment buying somewhere isn’t a priority as we’re more occupied with trying to get our lives moved over to Berlin but with any luck, our renovation fun might continue sooner than expected! And there’s nothing more motivating than finding your dream home (seriously, it’s amazing!) to get excited about moving.
PS. On a rather random note, we’ll be selling a lot of our things. So if you live in the Manchester area and there’s something you’ve seen in our home that you’d like just drop us an email general@LittleHouseOnTheCorner.com. (things that we’ll definitely be keeping are our living room furniture, the sideboard (with all of the drawers) in our guest bedroom and the wardrobe in our larger guest bedroom)
I’ve been waiting so much to hear from you and often wondered how it’s all been going so I’m really thrilled to hear your news! The floor plan looks fab and it will be so exciting to follow your new adventures!! X
Awww thanks, Lins! I’m so glad that we’ve found somewhere to live – even if we’ll probably end up being without furniture for two weeks! Trying to sort an international move is turning out to be a bit more involved than I’d bargained for! ;)
I’m slowly starting to feel “normal” again and for the first time in weeks I’m actually motivated to get things done and start blogging. I guess my hibernation mode is coming to an end ;)
Cx
Good to have you back, Congratulations to you both on finding the right for now,
home and then getting it.
You have my empathy on packing to move, days before your announcement
on leaving UK I’d decided something had to happen with my flat.
It’s rented (from local council) and has had serious damp/mould issues since
I moved in 5 years ago. I didn’t have a choice about moving in, it was this or
wait upto 5 years for something better.
Anyway I’ve decided to put almost my entire flat into storage!
The mould will be sorted, kitchen redesigned. Vital as since 2014 I’ve started
shrinking, yes, I’m literally shrinking 3″ in height, 2″ from each arm, 1″ from each leg,
head is 2″ smaller and my jaw has gone from being size of an 8 year old to 6 year old.
Specialists don’t know how/why or when it will stop, result is that I can’t reach my
cupboards above me, also I can’t stand and when sat on the only chair that fits the space
my sink/cooker come across middle of my chest = dangerous! So I don’t cook anymore unless it’s to microwave.
So like you both, I’m packing, selling, donating and ditching the contents of my home.
Start moving into storage 22nd Aug, leaving my bed, fridge, 4 cats & 4 chinchilla :-)
So lots of empathy and look forward to following your progress as I watch the progress
on mine :-)
Wonder if you can answer this question, if the socket was outside the bathroom is there
any reason I couldn’t have my washing machine plumbed in bathroom?
I hate it in the kitchen, food prep and dirty clothes in same area = Yuk!!!
Thank you! It sounds like you’re going through some huge changes yourself. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for you that it all works out well.
I think you are allowed sockets in the bathroom, they just have to be placed outside of the wet zones (which would mean you need a large bathroom). Having said that, I’m not an electrician and I’m not sure if it will be possible to have the washing machine in the bathroom (even with the socket outside) but it’s definitely worth asking a professional. I totally agree with you by the way that that’s where it should be. I really don’t understand why washing machines are in the kitchens here in the UK.
Cx
Thanks C :-)
I’ll let you know when I get news back on the washing machine.
Been waiting for an update. A new chapter to come for you. Exciting time ahead.
Yep! Can’t wait to get moving now. I had no idea how much waiting is involved when selling a house.
Cx
I am happy to hear that you have found a new home, exciting times ahead.
After Brexit we (mixed British/German couple) are looking at houses in Germany next week.
I share the feelings you are going through, all the best for the future
Thank you! It’s so sad that Brexit has had such a huge impact on people’s lives.
Good luck with your search for a new home! Keeping my fingers crossed that everything turns out well for you, too!
Cx