We've found an apartment!

Yes, most of you avid readers have probably thought that I had fallen under a Shanghai taxi/scooter (and yes that has nearly happened several times). But Lin and I have been *VERY* indisposed in our search for our new abode.

Life at the Pujiang Hotel has finally started to grate. We have grown sick of the oily rich food (although very tasty), lack of a refrigerator in our room, lack of cheap laundry facilities, and well, a decent sized bed. The hotel has been good to us, but it is definitely time to move on.

After a week of visiting real estate agents with Marie and Yan without a great deal of success, we resorted to the internet. Although we had kept a good eye on the various Expat sites based around Shanghai for real estate bargains, most advertisements were targeted at those expats with larger purses than ourselves. Our persistence has finally paid off! After seeing Erick's post regarding a 2 bedroom flat in the Jin An Si (Jin Ang Temple) district, I arranged a meeting. I was glad to find the flat was in good condition, fairly close to the Metro #2 line (takes me to work and back again), and perfect for Lin and I.

The current tenants needed to move south prior to the birth of their first child, potentially leaving a broken lease (forfeiting rent and the bond just like in Australia). Erick was looking for a quick result, and the landlord appears to be a decent guy and gave him the concession that if he found another group of tenants, he'd waive the costs.

This is where we came in. Finding the initial offer a little steep, and taking into consideration Erick's advice (no way man! Don't settle for that!), we engaged Yan's formidable negotiating skills and her partner Frank's legal knowledge. We approached the landlord with an amended offer for the apartment lease, to which he accepted. Another plus for this place was that there were no agents involved, meaning that a one-off 35% monthly rent contribution from BOTH the tenants and the landlord was avoided. I think both parties were amenable to a quick and amicable solution. We met with the landlord tonight, and crossed the 'i's and dotted the 't's. ;P The contract, the deposit, and the whole kit and caboodle is taken care of. We are now official Shanghailanders!

We are moving in on Wednesday, where we will receive the keys from Erick, meet the building's security and super, and move into our new abode.

Very exciting!