Home Shopping Day

In a city so vast, one would think that finding a home could take weeks. All we seem to need is 1-2 days.

Dave stayed home with the girls while I went out with Sheila and Jack to tour the possibilities they found for us. Apparently we have been specific enough in our wish list [short commute, expat neighbors with kids, outdoor playspace, 3-4 bedrooms] that within our price range there are only a few available options.

So we toured those available options. And of those we saw today, I liked 2. One more complex had great potential, but the particular unit did not. So we've shortlisted 3. They'll look into the one with potential, and if nothing else is available than we will have only shortlisted 2.

Once we choose where we will live, it becomes available after all of the following:
- all work is completed, including providing furniture
- 2 months rent has been received by the landlord
So we will remain in the hotel for a while still.

And, as always, the shortlist contains 2 options representing both trade-offs.

One is in Puxi, the part of town where Dave works. In fact, it is a very short walk from his office. As far as commute goes, this place is superb. But its only 150 square meters, and its so new that most of the units are still empty. Very little room for playing, and very little possibility of new little friends next door.

The other is in Pudong, across the river. A much longer commute, but with much more space. 237 square meters. The outdoor space is better, the location is more comfortable and the layout is fabulous for guests. But it has no balcony, and that commute can get pretty ugly.

The last one, where we hope to find something available, is also in Pudong. Again with the bad commute, but the otherwise good location. But units in this building are quite large, and the grounds are really amazing. Multiple swimming pools, playground, fountains and running spaces. More than one indoor play area, a library, and a few on-site restaurants. If we so choose (and sometimes we will), we could forget that we are in China for a day.

So we shall see. I imagine this decision will be made within a week.