It had been so long since we’d lived in a apartment that we forget some of the basic considerations when choosing a unit. This would also apply to condominiums. Number one rule is always be on the top floor away from the elevator. This way you never feel like there’s a herd of elephants living above you, and other residents aren’t constantly passing by you door at all hours. Rule #2 is select a corner apartment because you avoid a second neighbor and typically have more windows. If you have a choice when moving in, go with these two factors for peace and quiet. 

We moved into our place about 8 months ago, after years of not sharing walls or ceilings with strangers. We’re on the third floor of a four-story building with about 26 total units. Only 5 of these  are corner apartments and all have 2-bedrooms.  There is one 3-bedroom on the 2nd floor, directly below us that also occupies a corner. We’re up high enough that we have a view over the top of the sausage plant next door. We can see up into the beautiful hills that surround us, but crews are constantly working on their heating and cooling systems on the roof. This is the source of my entertainment as I write each day. Granted, it’s not noisy but also not exactly a great view unless I close the bottom shade to block-out the activity. Then, it’s nothing but serenity with trees and hills in the background. Same goes for our living room, but we typically sit with our backs to the view.

Our small balcony overlooks a side-street with a variety of restaurants, so the smells are always welcome. When we first moved in, we thought that odors from the sausage plant might be a problem, but it’s mainly a packaging facility. I had visions of our dogs smelling the sausage cooking and floating through the air cartoon-style to follow their noses. This is simply not the case but the aroma of pizza baking in the restaurant ovens has us all sniffing favorably. With our downtown proximity, there’s also always something for the dogs to bark about on the streets below if we leave the patio door open. 

The upstairs neighbors are moving out today, and I’m not sure if this will be good or bad news. They have a sweet, little two-year old girl that learned to walk and run in their apartment above us. There were times when I thought this tiny little bundle of energy weighed 400 pounds as she dashed from end to end. It was non-stop, but it would do little good to complain. Fortunately, they took her to day care and put her to bed early. Her early morning activity was gladly not directly above our bedroom, while I actually, on occasion, found her footsteps to be joyful noise.  Mom and dad were always friendly, but we’ll see who moves in next. Thankfully, we’re now officially at the half-way point of apartment life before we hopefully move into our Florida home.