The Move Part 1

We've been on the lookout for a new place to move into for awhile. The system here in Perth makes it a little bit more difficult, mainly because you have to view a place only when there is a house open (usually during office hours!), and then apply for it if you like it. There are usually more than one applicant, so the owner gets to choose who to lease the house to, so you may not get the place even if you like it. And then there's this fee you have to pay when you apply, which, should you choose not to take the unit if your application is successful, will be forfeited. This means you cannot apply for more than one place at a time (unless you have a lot of money to burn of course, or hope that you're not successful in all applications). Add to that the fact that rented property seems to get snapped up so quickly here, so there's always not much time to wait around for more options. And then there are the conditions that we had for the next place we wanted to rent:

1. It should have two bedrooms, so we can fit more people when friends and family arrive.

2. It must be < $260 per week (thought to be almost impossible for a 2 bedroom unit!), considering we'll be surviving only on Kevin's scholarship allowance once the baby is born.

3. It should be on the ground floor, as Agnes is into her 27th week now, and with strollers and all in the future, it will be more convenient.

4. There should be public transport to university and the city

5. There should be shops nearby for groceries and food

6. There should be a place in the house for a washing machine so we don't have to go to the laundry (think baby clothes!)

Of course, there's no such thing as a perfect place... but we managed to find a place we really liked, and it cost only $250 per week for a 2 bedroom unit! It all happened rather quickly, and we'll be moving sometime next week. We still have to give 21 days notice to vacate our current place, which means we have to pay the rent for both places for the next three weeks.

We got our keys yesterday, and decided to do some cleaning today. Understandably, Kevin did most (99%) of the cleaning, while Agnes took care of the crucial task of checking through the pages of the property condition report - mainly to note all defects in the house and take pictures of them - so we don't get blamed for something we didn't do when we leave.

Attempting to vacuum the entire house with the tiniest vacuum cleaner ever.

Cleaning the kitchen...