~Gloriosa superba, Gloriosa Lily - a fading flower~
~~~~~
It's late, and I'm tired.
Some of you might have remembered reading that I was taking a one-year visiting scientist position up in the Northern Virginia area... after a challenging period of unemployment (while still maintaining a lab and working - nuts, I know). Anyway, what this means is that I'm currently 'shopping' for a rental home in NoVa that allows three dogs, almost a whole cat... and me. To say this is a challenge is an understatement: one home I inquired about yesterday was on the market for only three hours. THREE HOURS. Fortunately last night I became acquainted with a realtor who actually seems helpful and responsive - because the market is so robust for rentals, realtors and management folks don't have to be all that responsive - they don't have to work very hard to get a place rented. My priorities: a fenced-in backyard for the acrobatic Pointer Sisters and Stan, and a reasonable commute to Arlington. Right now I'm looking at a place in Oakton on 2.5 acres that is not too terribly far from the Vienna Metro - the Orange Line would take me right into the Ballston station.
Life is all about change, right?
(Ugh.)
Good luck on both the job and the move.
Posted by: Susan Tomlinson | 06 June 2011 at 08:08 AM
Better luck with this one...I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Posted by: Susan L | 06 June 2011 at 08:53 AM
Pam, I wish you luck with your househunt. I know finding a pet friendly house is easier said than done. If your realtor doesn't work out, I have a classmate who is a really nice guy who is a realtor up there....let me know. 2.5 acres is a nice sized place!
Posted by: Janet, The Queen of Seaford | 06 June 2011 at 08:56 AM
Thanks both Susans...
Janet - it's as if there isn't even enough time to find out if they'll rent to someone with three dogs, the places get snatched up that fast! I have no idea what the etiquette is for 'rental' realtors - it's probably similar to those for when you're buying - but if your friend has alot of experience up that way, please send his contact info my way!
Posted by: Pam | 06 June 2011 at 09:28 AM
Just got an email back from my friend...
[email protected]
He said they have a lot of rentals and if you want to be in an area he doesn't service he can refer you to another.
Posted by: Janet, The Queen of Seaford | 06 June 2011 at 04:40 PM
He and I went to high school in NoVa ---should know the area pretty well. Let me know how things work out.
Posted by: Janet, The Queen of Seaford | 06 June 2011 at 04:43 PM
Hey, are we ever going to meet. Doesn't look like it now. Glad to hear about your new digs. Jenks said you and Kari and dinner the other night. Sorry I could not make it. Best of luck finding a place to live.
Posted by: compostinmyshoe | 06 June 2011 at 07:07 PM
Thanks Janet! I'll definitely email him tonight. Had some luck today - two places that said they'd accept all three dogs (but one only has a 4' fence and the other has a partial fence... I need to see pics to decide if it's worth fencing them in). One is on 2.5 acres of land (amazing - it's in Oakton) which would be nice. I'll definitely keep you posted.
Jim, the position I'm taking is a one-year Visiting Scientist position with NSF - they treat visiting scientists well, so I'll be coming back to town for one week every 4-6 weeks. Don't head up there until August either, so tell me when - and I'll bring a bottle of wine. Would love to meet you - and yep, had a fun beer and pizza night with Jenks and Kari (it was the first time I had met Kari - she was great).
Posted by: Pam | 06 June 2011 at 07:39 PM