Finding a Home

When you think of the word home, we conjure up different things, maybe for you an actual house or appartment,
or a paticular room, mum´s cooking or your own comfortable bed or chair. For me personally I have always liked the
expression that ´ home is where the heart is ´. For me where my immediate family are would be my home, but as I
have chosen the path of travel for now, I still need somewhere to put my head.

I have come to the conclusion after now having lived in three cities, that when you relocate without assistance, one has to give it a week in order to find suitable accomodation and put your whole heart into it. There is an element of
intuition involved, in listening well to what the landlord or future roomate says to you on the phone. Be careful in how much information you give, be guarded but sound responsible, serious and respectable. Stick within your chosen budget, but be willing to compromise or go up a little. Do not be afraid to negotiate, whilst the appartment/house is
still available, there is a chance that you could live there still.

Take into consideration not only the beauty, but more importantly the location, access to public transport, travel time, if there are stores in the vicinity. Not withstanding look at your roomate or landlord with a critical eye. Is the house tidy, bathroom clean, the garbage collecting in a corner.... Probably most important is the windows and door.
If you are unsure, make sure that it is a contract that allows you to leave before the final date, put in a trial period or
reasonable notice clause. Read the contract thoroughly so that you do not get any surprises later.

Bear in mind, more often than not, that the deposit will likely not be returned to you for you may fall short in one of the requirements and you must not depend on this sum for future rentals. If there is something missing in the room, be it light, mirror, bedside table, don´t be afraid to request. Remember that this is going to be your home too and you wish to feel comfortable there. Don´t be in too much of a hurry to give up any communal space, for example that your roomates will take over the kitchen and you will be loathe to go inside when they are there.

Shopping for groceries, shoe repairs, dry cleaning and a washing machine either at home or nearby are extremely
important, as you do not want to have to lug your parcels from a distant spot. Go looking presentable, be courteous
and non aggressive. Ask if you may hang pictures, use facilities or if you can install a telephone. Check the TV, radio
or DVD works. In other words, be more thorough than you would be in your own home, for remember this is going
to be your new residence and you are not in charge!