Cleveland/Richfield/Akron
August 9th, 2008 at 6:58 pm (Uncategorized)
So we just got back from our drug test/polygraph/apartment search in the Richfield, OH area.
The 7 hour trip out was uneventful. We got to our hotel, went out in search of in-depth maps, came back, ordered pizza and wings, and watched TV. I’m pretty sure we were in bed before 11 (although I slept little).
The next morning was my drug test. We got up, and headed out in the morning. I was told I could just walk and take it. So I tried, but I had to wait almost 40 minutes. So before I even got to “go” we were late for the first apartment appointment. Then, to make matters worse, I didn’t fill it up enough. So I had to start over, but I wasn’t allowed to leave and come back. I had to wait in the waiting room, and I was allowed five 8 ounce glasses of water. Which I chugged. Forty minutes later, I was ready to go. REALLY ready. Of course, I waited another 15 to go. Which made us late for the second apartment. But i peed enough to fill it to the line at least 3 or 4 times. Five glasses may have been overkill.
So, we finally went to an apartment. It was ok. It was well kept and all of that, but the apartment was pretty small.
Then we stopped by Mickey D’s for a lunch on the run.
Next was the polygraph, which was a 2 hour and 45 minute process. I had to basically confess all of my sins through birth, and then attest that I wasn’t hiding things. I was really nervous while hooked up that I was forgetting something, so hopefully I didn’t screw it up. I will find out next week. The hard part was not moving. When you were hooked up you couldn’t move and when you try not to move, everything seems to twitch. I don’t know how it affects things, but it was happening. I think I am more nervous than need be, but thats me.
Then it was back to apartment looking.
The next place was awesome, We actually have the apartment on hold, and I will discuss it below.
The final place for Friday was a dump. The apartments smelled like smoke and dirty people, and the other residents were not to my standards. Probably sounds conceited, but people who look unshowered for the month of August are not people I want to live by.
So, we headed down to the next hotel. Got our room, and went to eat at a steakhouse. Excellent dinner.
Headed back, and watched the opening festivities on the Olympics. Definitely sleeping by 10.
Saturday we went to a few places. The first place was a group of townhomes, which I will discuess below. Then we went to a “luxury” apartment complex, but they weren’t that awesome. The fireplaces are right next to cable jack, with nowhere for the TV to go… dumb. Otherwise ok.
The third place was ok, overpriced and nothing exciting.
So we are left with two places. So what does everyone think? We are waiting for my polygraph results before we decide for sure, so what would you choose?
Place one:
Big Creek Apartments or here
The apartment we put money (only $25) on to hold, with a fireplace in the lower right hand corner of the living room. It is the far right plan on the top. The ceilings are vaulted and the kitchen is open with a bar along it. It comes with a garage stall, a big balcony, and a really big closet. There are tons of amenities. The apartment is 1250 square feet, has brand new carpet, and is $890/month, including the cats. It is a huge apartment, and is towards Cleveland. However, it is on the third floor, which means stairs but no one above us.
Windsor Park Estates or here
This a townhome community. The floorplan is either of the two bedrooms on the page. It is 1100 square feet, with a private entrance, a garden area, a garage, two floors, “house-like”, closet space, and the are no stairs except to our second floor. It is smaller and doesn’t have a balcony, fireplace or all new amenities. It would be $795/month. It is also closer to Akron.
The two are equidistant (approx.) to the lab. The Clevelandish apartment is closer to the ADP office Bryce is trying to transfer to, but there are no guarantees about that. The Akronish townhome is more suburbia-like. One is cheaper, the other nicer, and both less expensive than what we have now.
So….
Holli said,
August 9, 2008 at 10:04 pm
We really like having a private entrance. And less expensive is nice. I suppose it comes down to if you think you’ll use the amenities a lot and if you want those amenities to be nicer and if that outweighs living on 3rd floor. Both places look nice, so I don’t think you can go wrong!
Justin said,
August 9, 2008 at 11:37 pm
They are both nice. I’d go for the one in Big Creek.
Tony said,
August 10, 2008 at 12:35 am
I was going to say basically what Holli said. I really liked their private entrance. Pretty sure you can live without a fireplace if it means saving some money. Two levels might be cool, but i was told the upper level might be to hot and the lower to cold, but that’s just one persons experience. For me no balcony is no big deal, and no pool isn’t a big deal, but that’s me. It’s up to you guys. Just don’t settle for an apartment you won’t like.
lindsey said,
August 10, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Something Bryce and I never thought about before was the cats… they’ve never been somewhere without a “buffer” between them and the outside. A hallway is maybe safer for them since they are curious about outside, but would likely freak out outside, and it may be hard to get them back. Once Bitty fell out of the window and it was a 1 hour ordeal to get her back. But then again, they might be too scared to go outside…
Amy Jo said,
August 12, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Wow! I can’t wait to graduate and make real money.
m!les said,
September 4, 2008 at 10:49 pm
If a lie detector can be thrown off if the person moves too much, then perhaps that particular “science” isn’t ready for the big time.
I’m sorry I’m so behind. I’m catching up; promise.
david said,
September 18, 2008 at 11:49 am
I can always *go* when the need arises ; )