HOW IT BEGAN
Since I am on a marrying age, I realized that I need to learn to be independent while learning more life skills on the side. It's the best way to prepare because I know that my boyfriend might propose anytime. Also, I need more time to build multiple income sources as part of the preparation which I can achieve if I live independently since I will be having more freedom to execute my plans faster. I will be the one to make decisions on my daily activities if I live solo since I will live by my own rules. I realized all these benefits so I decided to look for an apartment.
WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH
I started this journey around June last year. Like all the other journeys out there, I had my fair share of challenges as well. I can't do my ocular since it's very far from home so I made a deal with someone who introduced himself as a locator. A locator's job is to look for apartments on your preferred location. He was able to find an apartment with one bedroom for me. The unit is newly constructed. He did his job properly via virtual tour. He also gave my initial payment to the landlady.
A few weeks later, things have changed. He showed his true colors. He started to volunteer to be the caretaker since I will move after a month. He volunteered to do the errands such as cleaning, internet connection, and truck services. It even got worse when he started to offer me things that I don't need. He even insisted to buy my needs on my behalf. His goal is to get money from me. He even tried to borrow. He made excuses when I was asking him to show me some photos of the environment outside the apartment because I forgot to check on it. He never returned to the area to do his job. He just keeps on asking for money. I'm starting to get irritated. I just paid for the internet connection and the truck services but later on, I found out that he never used my payment to take care of these things when I tried to contact both parties.
When I talked to my dad and my sister about moving out, my dad wants to check the area so we went there. The locator promised to meet us but he didn't come. The landlady accommodated us. I started to reach out to her more often when I have questions. This is how I found out that the locator is a scammer. He made up stories that the landlady was asking for an additional payment and this made the landlady mad. She warned the the guy's potential clients about his modus. He had no choice but to admit what he did to the money. He told me that his baby is in critical condition due to cancer. I was enraged when I told him that I already know the truth. I honestly don't buy into any excuse and I don't find it reasonable to scam someone. I'm sure that karma will hit him anytime. It happened so soon. A few days later, his baby died while he lost four potential clients. Some of his other victims revealed themselves too. If he only he told the truth and raised funds the right way or asked for financial assistance from social welfare, he might have the budget sooner and he could have saved his baby. I was so tempted to file a case on him for causing me stress and to take the money back. Most of all I want to teach him a lesson so it won't happen to other people again. My sisters told me about the hassles and the danger it may bring to our family so I didn't push through it. Karma did the revenge for me as well.
I backed out from the apartment and I informed the landlady about it via video call. My dad is concerned with safety and even I don't feel good about it either. I just told the landlady that my dad won't approve it. The landlady said it's very safe and they can protect the tenants. She started to tell a story about an incident when she faced a death threat. There was a group of people who once stayed in one of her units. They break the rules and they cause fear to the other tenants. The landlady filed a complaint against them and she gave them the notice to move out. They threatened to kill her but in the end, they moved out. That story made my decision firm. Good thing I was able to refund 70% of the initial payment I gave her. I'm very thankful that I figured these things. I was saved from danger. I really didn't like the environment there and I don't want to have neighbors who threaten their fellow tenants.
HOW I FOUND A VERY NICE PLACE
Moving forward, my sister helped me find a better place. She knows a fellow dentist from their organization. That dentist knows someone who owns an apartment so she referred the place to us. The first photo is the main building. The second photo is the parking lot with the capacity of 12 cars. There are four units for rent inside it. The place is very safe. The landlady hired four caretakers who work on a shifting schedule. They accommodate our needs and they watch over the apartment at night. The other tenants are decent people who live quietly. They are all professionals and most of them are doctors.
A LITTLE TOUR INSIDE
Welcome to this nice and cozy place. What I like with the apartment is that it's fully furnished. They provide the basic things you need especially those that are bulky and hard to bring. I didn't need a truck service because of it. This is the kitchen. I took this photo the moment I finished arranging my appliances and groceries. The refrigerator is the one they provided here.
I'm amazed with their bathroom. It's more spacious compared to the other apartments we checked. They also provided the shower curtain but I forgot to put it before taking pictures. The best part is the bidet. This one exceeded my expectations this is the only place that provides a bidet among the apartments we checked.
This is the dining area. They provided the table and the sofa. I want a simple Japanese inspired table so I bought a tableware that will give the Japanese vibes. Black, white and gray matched the table very well. I added the divider they provided for a more Japanese vibes.
This is a studio type apartment so I just improvised my bedroom using the divider. I chose this color for my bedsheet because it matches the colors of the area. Good thing my bedsheets fit the bed they provided. It's very convenient.
SOME LIFE SKILLS I LEARNED
Aside from cooking and choosing quality appliances, I learned assembling racks, shelves, and cabinets the hard way. This is one of the thins I assembled. It's very memorable because my hands got hurt with this cabinet. I assembled it for five long hours just to realize that the panels don't fit with the doors just when I was nearly done so I had to assemble everything again from scratch. I also learned how to use screw drivers more efficiently because of all the things I assembled. I learned how to clean my electric fan too because I figured how to disassemble and bring it back as well with the help of my boyfriend via video call.
BONUS FRIENDS
The fun part is meeting these three new furry friends at outside the reception area. I sometimes feed them when I have extra food. No pets are allowed here. The landlady let these stray cats stay only outside so they can hunt for rats. You will hear them running on the roof sometimes and you know what they are chasing. Good job furry friends!
I'm happy with the decision I made. It may be tough and busy most of the time but I learn and I'm slowly achieving my purpose for living an independent life. This place is also our investment as a couple and this is our way of securing a home the moment we get married. We have a sure place to live while we work on buying our own house. We'll plan our goals again once my boyfriend returns to our country 3-4 months from now and he will stay here for good.
