Imagining / Foreshadowing my Next Apartment

 Perusing real apartment listing photos to envision the architectural details I want for my next home...

So the listings may be in different cities etc. 

This is just an exercise in being able to Picture IRL the environment I want to live in next!

Try it!

Stevens Community Apartments

128 E 18th St, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Early 1900's three and a half story brick buildings 

surrounded by landscaped gardens just blocks from downtown Minneapolis. 

Monthly Rent if you were interested: 

$700 - $1,500 USD / $1,014 - $2,175 CAD

Best Apartments

2006-2008 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404

Monthly Rent: $835 - $1,040 USD / $1,200 - $1,500 CAD

I am very particular about bathrooms. I want an original, in good condition bathroom with a deep tub, window over the tub, high ceilings, radiators, with the Sink beside the tub, not the toilet.

A partially original bathroom from Loring Grove Apartments

125 Oak Grove St, Minneapolis, MN

Another example at: Stoneleigh Apts, 2226 Garfield Ave S, Minneapolis:

& at 2222 Harriet Ave S, below, built in the 1920s.

I love original medicine cabinets !!

And at: 2610-2618 Fremont Ave S, Minneapolis:

The Fremont apt also has this Amazing original kitchen sink:

Studios here are: $875 USD / $1,270 CAD / month

This photo from a unit at 1929 Fremont Ave S, Minneapolis

gives me a good feeling fsr:

So do these also from the Stoneleigh Apts on Garfield Ave S, Minneapolis:

I'm a sucker for archways and windows in kitchens.

Apts here at $900-$950 US / $1,305 - $1,375 CAD

Original built-ins at 3220 Girard Ave S, Minneapolis:

The building looks like a converted highschool:

and has very unusual rental terms:

Lease Terms

Short-term lease fees: 6 months: $50 additional per month, 9 months: $25 additional per month ?

Monthly Pet Rent: $25 per cat  LOL

                                                    Moving on to Detroit, Michigan! 

The units in the Manchester Apartments building at

 2016 E Jefferson Ave in Detroit, MI are Beautiful. 

The layout of the rooms & the window placement is perfect.

That's the building there in the centre, with the Detroit River 4 blocks behind it by a little marina, amphitheatre, and waterfront park.

My dream bathroom original tile, wall and floor:

And of Course I'm manifesting another Walk-in closet at my next apartment, so have to include it here:

Monthly Rent is: $895 - $1,395 USD / $1,300 - $2,020 CAD

More gorgeousness at Heather Hall, 3444 2nd Ave, Detroit, MI!

Beautiful layout as well. Floorplan at end of pics!

Monthly Rent: $745 - $1,375 USD / $1,080 - $1,993 CAD

Floorplan of the one pictured, which is $1,530 CAD:

Here is one in Buffalo, NY!

The Ambassador building at

175 North St, Buffalo, NY 14201

Too bad about the ugly kitchen details but I like the layout, archways, windows and floors.

Monthly Rent: $950 - $1,395 USD / $1,376 - $1,876 CAD

Unique Features: Free Wi-fi In Unit !?

Heading south to Memphis, TN:

Park Terrace

1899 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN

Loveliest built-ins you every did see...

Other than this place I couldn't find anything else I liked in Memphis rn!

I've never put a bedroom behind french doors before...

Obviously you would put shoji paper (traslucent decorative paper) over the panes.

Monthly Rent: $850 - $1,299 USD / $1,232 - $ 1,832 CAD

Lastly, I checked out Philadelphia, PA!

I LOOOVE these two rooms at The Drake

1512 Spruce St, Philadelphia

I think I am drawn to cozy, well-lit rooms rather than spacious spaces.

I was just going to say it looks like a nice hotel, and then I read:

"Constructed in 1929 as a luxury hotel, the Drake was later converted into a luxury apartment building in 2000"

The building is quite impressive from afar

Monthly Rent: $1,233 USD / $1,786 CAD start for a Studio

The layout below, a Junior 1 Bedroom, similar to the photos, is 

$1,302 USD / $1,887 CAD on the 9th floor

What I have learned about my living preferences:

- small is ok

- dark is not

- historic details over modern, but not in poor condition

- height is good, i.e. a high-rise might be doable for me at this stage of my life

- I prefer archways to many doors / division without being fully separated

- I dislike excessive natural wood, especially high-gloss

- Stainless appliances are ugly

- Galley kitchen preferred over a kitchen island

- permanent A/C units ruin the vibe

- try not to judge a unit by its blinds. Imagine w/ curtains.

- I don't mind a view of a brick wall as long as the room is bright

-Freestanding appliances (fridges & stoves) with nothing on either side of them are off-putting

Other things to look for:

- If the enamel on the tub is worn, as for it to be recoated before moving in

- Always paint, if you are going to paint, Before your stuff is moved in

- Sweep & mop Before moving day

- Lightbulbs matter. I never use White lightbulbs, except maybe over a Vanity mirror for makeup

- Forced air heating makes skin miserable

Remember:

- Dimmers are a gift from God

- A fireplace mantle w/ candles in it feels Just as good as the real thing. Even better sometimes because you can move it around when you change your room layout.

- Large area rugs change Everything. If you love a room but hate the flooring, cover it completely in rugs.

- Plain curtains improve any room and make it cozy and stylish. Especially Matte materials like linen or plain cotton.

- Small sofas usually look like shit

- Large Art / framed photos make a huge difference

- Never settle for plastic bathroom organizers / shelves

- Get a Nice shower curtain!!

- Hide your shoes behind closed doors: whether in a closet or a piece of furniture. Even a dresser works. (You can disinfect it after if you decide to use it for other things in the future)

- Manmade Kitchen counters can be painted

- Yellowed fridges can be painted