The Great Sublet Hunt

I'll be honest. I'm 25 and a subletting virgin. I've rented apartments before, all during college but it was different. I had a car, I had a job (part time office work and being a student), and most importantly, student loans were paying for the apartment. I never had to worry about where rent was coming from, other added costs like utilities, food, etc. It was all covered. After college I lived with my Mom for a few months- rent free. Then, I did internships where housing was provided. After that, I traveled and worked, so housing was provided, even if it was just a tent. In between working I stayed on friend's couches, traveling the US. One of those such trips I ended up in San Francisco and fell in love with the city. So now, after not paying for rent for 3 years I'm back into that position.

Don't get me wrong, I'm more than happy to be trying to find somewhere of my own again. A room that is truly mine and eventually I'd like an apartment of my own again. But it can be a bit stressful. I'd forgotten about the monthly rent check and rent in San Francisco is not cheap. Living with other people is a necessity and right now all of the people I know here are living in places and not planning on moving anytime soon. Of course, there are ups and downs to living with people you don't know. Probably more ups than living with people you know. No worries about ruining a friendship that hasn't started. You meet for a day, maybe have coffee or a drink, then they show you the apartment. It sounds simple but yet not. So that's where the sublet part comes in, not renting but a temporary stay.

I've been searching on craigslist and sent out some emails today. Or course, there are one or two places that I want to stay in and another two or three I would take, but would not be thrilled about. I'm trying to take things day by day, but this whole process, both the trying to find somewhere to live, trying to find work, it can get in the way of actually enjoying the place I am. I can have fun once I have a job/place/etc. But I should be having fun now. But I can't, because the thoughts of finding a place, finding work, blah blah blah, they don't stop.

I had the thought to go for a walk but now the sky is gloomy and gray and I am waiting to hear raindrops. I am trying to stay positive, to believe that if I ask for help I will receive it. I put off going to the dance school today and now I'm wishing I hadn't. Tomorrow. I will do it tomorrow. I have no other choice.

Enough about subletting.

Jami and I are looking for a show to go to this weekend. Live music! Live music is definitely on the list of why I moved to the city. We walked around last night, just walking to explore. I haven't done much of that by myself except for a short walk yesterday but am looking forward to doing more of it soon.

I am hoping I can make a trip to Southern California soon, to Palm Springs/Joshua Tree to visit old friends. It is a little bit of a wish right now with the job hunt but we'll see.

A week in the city as of today and all is well.