The Hunt

We are apartment hunting. Again. No easy task in New York City.

We’ve looked at roughly 20 apartments, and will continue to look at more tomorrow. I compare apartment hunting to dating. Let me explain.

You want to find “the one”. The perfect fit. The one apartment (or person) that has all of the qualities you have always dreamed about. But, you also want one at a good price. A price that is neither too costly nor leaves you bankrupt.

So, you go see a lot of apartments (or go on lots of dates with lots of different people). Before you see a new apartment, you cross your fingers and pray that this is the one and that you will never have to look again! But, within the first few minutes of entering the apartment (or being on a date), your heart sinks and you realize that this one just won’t do. The good doesn’t outweigh the bad. It’s awkward, or too small, or has no character. It’s boring, or dirty, or has an unpleasant view. Sometimes it needs a lot of updating. Maybe, it has small noticeable flaws that indicate potentially much bigger problems that you will not be able to fix.

You politely say “no thanks” and leave with a defeated and heavy heart. How many apartments (or people) do you have to see before finding a good one? How many apartments (or people) will you see before you find the one that is worth keeping? You don’t really want to settle for something (or someone) average. Ah, the headache.

Then, you think, maybe it’s just not meant to be. Everyone else found their perfect apartment (or person). Why can’t you?

But, before you jump into a pool of self-pity, something changes. Your hope and faith and belief that everything will work out starts to grow with every step you take on your walk home. You feel it in your gut. You just know that the perfect is waiting for you out there! You begin to get excited again. You feel a resurgence of hope and know that it will work out!

You cross your fingers and believe that tomorrow will be the day you find the perfect one. Tomorrow will give you the best, most perfect, suits-you-to-a-T apartment (or person). Since I did find “the one” perfect person, I have faith that I will find “the one” perfect apartment.