Apartment hunting woes

We leave in two days for our apartment hunting trip to Brussels. And as I write these words my stomach is tied in a million knots!! I am both overwhelmingly excited that the time is finally here (that I finally get to go to this wonderful city where we plan to spend our next to years!!) and totally anxious and scared (scared that it's not going to live up to my expectations...scared that we're not going to be able to find a place we love). I think these are normal feelings so I'm not surprised by them...this IS a big deal. A life altering crazy adventure that is very close to becoming a reality now...so I'm trying to have faith that all things will work out. And our faith did come to fruition last week when we sold our house...God is so good. At the last minute...we were literally a week away from having to sell it to his company for almost $10K less...we got an offer and were able to make it work! Jacob and I were so excited!! I also had my going away party at work...I amazingly didn't cry...ten years of my life have been devoted to Boeing and saying good-bye is a hard thing. Everyone was very sweet though...saying if I am so inclined they would happily have me back one day...so who knows, maybe it isn't an ending, but just a brief hiatus :o) That makes it feel a little easier...having it slightly open ended.

Now back to the house hunting...we have a consultant over in Belgium...setting up all the appointments and giving us a tour...some tips on how to get settled, etc...she even set up a visit at the American Women's Club of Brussels which is fantastic because I was hoping to get involved with the organization when we move. The issue I'm having is a gut wrenching feeling of not having control...something I struggle with often. Typically when doing something major like buying a house...or finding an apartment...I feel most comfortable if I can do a lot of research...exhaust all the possibilities...and have time to consider what will be the best decision. We are not able to have that luxury in this instance...hence some of my anxiety. I tried to do my homework first...even sent her the below to ensure she knows what we like...

• Atleast 3 bedrooms
• Washer/dryer (or atleast a hook-up for one)
• Equipped kitchen (including dishwasher)
• Some character (meaning not a bland, boring space…something with some charm…wood floors, archways, pretty windows, exposed brick, high ceilings, molding)
• Open floor plan (would love to be able to have kitchen open to living room)
• One level (would really like this to avoid dangerous stairways with a toddler
• Parking space (covered or enclosed would be even better!)
• Close walking proximity to grocery, parks, public transport, etc
• 1700 Euros or less per month
• 2 year leasing agreement possible (typical in Belgium is 3 or 9 years!! Holy cow!)
• 30 minute or less commute from Zaventem
• Lift would be really nice
• House or apartment ok

Here are some examples I found on Immoweb.be that I like…just to give you an idea of taste (not sure if the links will work as they change frequently)

• n° 3176936 (love the open looking floor plan, wood floors, natural light from the windows, looks spacious)
• n° 3132426 I LOVE this house!! But I’m really worried about the stairways…so not sure it would work, but the character and charm of it are amazing! Grand kitchen, beautiful arched windows, wood floors, high ceilings, molding, etc.) It also looks pretty far away from Zeventem
• n° 3055341 I think this one has a kitchen with blue cabinets…that I really like! Not shown in these pictures, but was in a previous listing…and everything else looks the same. Also love how big it is!
• n° 3144325 I’m guessing this one is in a bad neighborhood because it’s been available forever! But I love the openness of it, the high ceilings, built in cabinets, etc.
• n° 1759673 Possibility in WSP…has some of the charm, but not as much as the ones I’m finding in Brussels city. I know this is probably the ideal place for us to live, I’m just really struggling with finding ones I like in this part of the city…I’m hoping you can help.
• n° 3072743 Another WSP possibility

I know...I know...this note is totally dripping with my "type A" personality! I was not kidding when I say I have an innate need to be in control. So I think that is a lot of where my angst is coming from...we received our itinerary for our trip next week and found out we have two days to search and will only be seeing 7 apartments!! Oh my...7 apartments are great if they are all exactly what I have in mind and it will be difficult to down select from the 7, but what if none of them are really what I'm picturing. Do we get more time? Can we make more appointments? I don't know...and I'm worried! So I'm trying once again to have faith! Faith that next week when I sit down to post how our house hunting trip went I will be overjoyed at the place we've found...ecstatic to post pictures of our new home...of the neighborhood we're in...of it all!! Please, please, please...let this be the case!! Wish us luck...