Before I continue, I should probably tell you that I am blogging from a little cafe in downtown Edmonton teeny-bopping my head to 'Call Me Maybe' and making mental choreography notes for a hip hop routine to this song. It's quite the sight. And I'm getting looks.
Or those looks could be from the fact that I look like I took a hook to my left eye. That's right, I had my first experience with the Canadian version of a MedExpress thanks to a nasty eye infection that has my eye in a state of total puffiness and disgrace. I was nervous being out of the country receiving medical treatment but luckily it went well and I am in the process of healing, i.e. looking normal again.
While I'm at it, I'm going to put in a plug for our real estate agent, Jeanne. She is fantastic and we would highly recommend her to anyone looking to move to/from Pittsburgh, specifically in the South Hills/Mt. Lebanon area.
Well, easier said than done. First, many of the homes and condo buildings are old here. From our experience, to find something new and fully-updated, you either need to resort to new construction way far out in the 'burbs or settle on a very small place sometimes in a less that ideal location. And the majority of places (even purchased condos/homes) do not allow dogs. For a city that has a river valley that is 22 times the size of Central Park, this just blows my mind. Does everyone with a dog own a standalone home?
After lots of frustrating internet searches, we crossed our fingers and I hopped on a plane to Edmonton with a couple of rentals lined up to see and homes to look at if buying were to become our only option due to the pups. As luck would have it, the first place we had booked to see (I had found it online immediately after posting and as I was the first to contact the renter we had first right of refusal) turned out to be a perfect fit. Shaun saw it in the morning, picked me up at the airport, took me to see it, and we said WE'LL TAKE IT!
Well, that's a bit of a stretch. First, the current renters (whom we think are going to become good friends of ours here in Edmonton!) called the landlord to tell him they found the perfect couple. (We were flattered!) Then we scheduled time to meet up with the landlord so he could basically see that we were legit and the right kind of people for the place. After he decided he liked us, the pups were approved (!!!!!!!!), and we are now wrapping up the lease and soon will be signed on our new place! Mission accomplished!
The condo is a two-story layout in an historic building on THE street in Edmonton complete with an open floor plan, spiral staircase, two bedrooms each with ensuites, two large balconies, a fireplace and perhaps most importantly here, two heated underground very secure parking spaces. And best of all, as I said above, the dogs have been approved. Such a blessing and we are so happy. Pictures to come!