Saturday, April 26, 2008

We found a new home!

We’re back from beautiful California feeling refreshed and ready to tackle our last month in Indiana. (Last month?!?) We flew to San Jose on Thursday to interview for a position as resident managers of a complex in San Mateo. We tried not to have our hopes up since we knew several others were interviewing and that the home owners’ association originally had a retired person in mind for the job. But we decided we’d make a fun trip out of it and also look at other apartments while we were there.

This is us at our favorite beach...which unfortunately has a little history of having at least one fat old naked man roaming around. This time was no exception. Wonder what I’m pointing at in the next picture... (Don’t worry, we stayed as far away from him as possible. This time Ryan managed NOT to get in a conversation with him.)





Thanks, E&Y, for financing our stay in a Hilton Gardens Hotel, via Hotwire.com. I could have stayed all day in that hotel!



And best of all, about 30 minutes after we left our interview, we got a call offering us the job. We interviewed with two men and two women on the HOA board, and it turns out that the women in particular “liked our energy.” Guess that’s what did it!

Here’s a shot of our new home! All of the 52 units are privately owned, so we’ll be working for the HOA board, not individual owners. As far as we understand, we’ll be coordinating with the pool guy and grounds crew, ensuring that the common areas are tidy and the trash is taken out, letting people in if they’re locked out, etc. Most of the residents are older, so we’re doubtful that we’ll have to tell too many people to turn their thumping music down! We know it will be work, but we’re excited for the opportunity. In exchange, we get a free two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment, which in the Bay area is a pretty darn good deal.



The nicest thing about the trip was leaving knowing where we’ll be living. Neither of us expected that. We drove around looking at what will be “our Costco” and “our Target.” We even walked inside our church building. It is crazy how quickly life can change.

12 comments:

  1. Oh Erica! I'm so happy that you guys got that job! Everything seems to be working out perfectly.

    Darn, I would've loved to have heard another crazy story from Ryan about talking to an old fat man!

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  2. Oh, you guys! This looks so great!! It makes me want to live in California too! That is so great that you guys have a place to live (I wish we did...)! So, when can we come visit? :)

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  3. I'm constantly amazed at how you always get exactly what you want. It's divine. :)

    The place looks beautiful! I love all that vegetation.

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  4. Who wouldn't absolutely love E & R?? That place is lucky to get you both!! What multi-taskers! Good work and planning!!! XOX

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  5. Wow! That is such great luck! I'm so excited for you guys! It looks beautiful! And so much closer to Arizona!

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  6. Congrats! That's awesome. That will be such a great opportunity for you guys. Good luck with the moving!

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  7. That is so awesome! We are going to ALMOST be neighbors!! HA! HA! You will definitely have to come visit us this summer! Maybe you can meet up with us in SF one day! Brooke wants to rent bicycles and ride across the Golden Gate bridge! That might be a little too adventurous for you but you can join us for lunch at Boudin's at Fisherman's Wharf! I'm so happy for you and Ryan!

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  8. CONGRATULATIONS!!! Seriously Erica, that's exciting. I'm totally happy for you.

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  9. Hey guys that is great news. Brit and I were so happy when we heard that you go the job. That has to be a huge weight off your shoulders

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  10. So Jealous!!! But we are very happy that you found such an awesome arrangement there! We'll miss you! Good luck with everything!

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  11. Wow that looks like a great position for you guys! I wish I could live in California for free! Good luck with it!

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