Well, don't envy me just yet, you guys!!! I'll will keep you all posted on how the offer goes, and the all-but-certain counter-offering goes!!

I can't even imagine what you guys have to pay for houses out in LA!! *shudders*

Really? The EWR hate surprises me, because I haven't had problems there and it's pretty modern. I haven't been through it since 2003 though, so maybe that's why. JFK on the other hand, I hate. The last time I was there it was practically a building site and that new train they have that takes you from the terminal to the MTA station sucked. when I was still living in England I flew in with a friend, who was a UKC, it took us an hour to get through immigration control because they had 2 people to process a plane-full of non-USCs. I then got grief in the customs line as I was very agressively questioned as to why I might be returning to visit the country of my birth and citizenship (him: "why did come to the US last December." me: "uh, to spend Christmas with my mother.") I think JFK even beats LAX and O'Hare as my least favorite airports




Prices are still coming down though - most places in the Westside are currently reducing prices by about 20% from their original asking price. Hopefully, they have much further to go!

it's the hassle of trucking ALL THE WAY across Manhattan to get to the LES or Brooklyn that sucks. LGA/JFK is a $20-30 cab ride away & 20 minutes!

I dunno - I haven't seen much of LA but I wasn't that enamoured with it - I think I prefer somewhere a bit smaller I need a t-shirt that says "I <3 Palm Springs" with like a palm tree on it or something

I don't think the cost of buying is quite as bad as LA yet here in Chicagoland, but I was looking at buying a condo earlier this year and it hurt me. Bad.

The cost of a lovely 4 bedroom house in Buffalo is the same as a junior 1 bedroom condo...in a shady neighborhood...here.

Yikes! The house we're trying to buy is in an absolutely lovely village in suburban Buffalo - about 20 miles outside the city. I love Chicago, but dang, it is expensive!!! I feel for you guys in the pricey cities - but the great thing for you guys is that there is sooooo much to do. Buffalo is good, but not cosmopolitan.

Oh, that's lovely, Julez. Fingers crossed!



We gave a severe low-ball offer on a house before we bought this one.... completely offended the wife, but not the husband. We countered back and forth until she issued an ultimatum with very angry pride. I absolutely refused because I knew it wasn't worth that much and put an offer in on one of our backup houses. (Which was accepted with no counter-offer, btw.) Several months later they finally sold that house.... for less money and more conditions than what our final offer was. Karma is a wonderful thing.

I hear what you're saying Krikit, but this house is extremely fairly priced. The asking price is just about right on the money, IMO. Who knows? This little gamble of Griff's might just pay off! Or backfire, in which case, I shall be excessively peeved. I am tired of house hunting. The charm and magic has certainly worn off!!

I hear ya. There are so many unknown factors when making an offer. You just never know until you try. I will be sending good vibes your way that it will pay off. BTW.... is there a Wegman's in Hamburg?

Thanks, I will be worried sick until this is all setteled....and yes to the Wegman's in Hamburg!!! Its a spiffy nice one (recently remodeled) right across from McKinley Mall. Plus, there are plenty of eating a drinking opportunities in the area!!!

If I REALLY wanted a house that bad I could always move back to my hometown in Nebraska as home comparable to the one in Buffalo would cost a little over $100k. But the downside is that I would have drive to Lincoln to work a job that pays almost decently. There are just so many more opportunities to advance where I'm at, and maybe I can't get a home right now but hopefully in a few years I'll be able to get what I want in the city.

If I were still young and didn't have the responsibility of my kids, I would so be on the same path as you Ginger! I envy, TBH! I would love to live in Chigaco!! My favorite US city!! I wish I had done more before I had kids. But I didn't, so we work within the parameters that now surround us.

g'morning everyone.

oh hi Chuck!

You can always come and visit us! We have a futon and a sleeper couch so there is plenty of room! Oh and plenty of wine to boot...I just went nuts at World Market and got some nice Rieslings and Chardonnays. I'm hoping to eventually get this to go in my dining room:

World Market - Liam Bar

It will take a while for us to save up for it though!

Most of my family is in Chicago... I so need to go up and visit again sometime soon!

I think the problem with having a really nice wine rack is that I would always be tempted to jsut drink the wine, leaving my wine rack empty

rk - I do the same... I mean - wine is there to drink, not display - right?!

Got the apartment as well btw guys Am soooo happy!!!

So true Robin! I'd never have anything in that rack for long.

But still, its a nice piece of furniture and it would be filled with wine when guests arrive and empty at the end of the night, a sure sign of a successful party!!

The other problem with that particular piece of furniture is that it is *almost* as big as our apartment

Whereas, it would fit nicely into my maybe new house! Offer is being presented at 5:30 today!! OMG, trying not to freak out!!!

Congrats on the apartment Jeraly and good luck on the house julz - we need more good accomodation news!

preferably in the form of my mega millions ticket...

Well, ya gotta be in it to win it!! Good luck!!

Oh dear... we have an interview thread - I can just see it now - the official accommodation thread!!!

Congrats on your apartment! Do you know how you are going to decorate yet?




Hahaha...I'm actually having a bit of a wine & cheese party this weekend. I got some bries and camemberts and a nice pork pate. Whole Foods bakes bread fresh every day at 5 pm so I'll go and get some warm bread on the way home. I hope to have the rack empty by the end of the night!




Good luck! I hope you get the home...it looks like a beautiful place!

Oooh - wine and cheese party sounds lovely... and real cheese too!!! Awesome!!

Dunno about decorating yet - it's only rented so not sure how much freedom we will have! Might have to be some tactful drapes and throws to cover the free furniture we were given (that looks lame!) and buy a few "keeper" pieces of furniture for when we buy our own house

Is there an official May househunters thread yet? Is there? I'm just about to start looking, haven't started yet. Is there a FAQ on this? Where is the guide? Will I get 'touched'?

Can I visit my new house while my credit check is pending?

Is it a red flag if I'm a lot older than the house I'm considering renting or buying? Once I move into my new house, can I visit my old house immediately? Can I have a housewarming celebration before I move in? (Sorry Jeraly!)

I watched some of England beat USA today - 2-0.

My co-workers were like oh who will you route for?

My loyalties lie with England, I know their team better.

I wanted to watch the match at an Irish bar across the street from my office, but I was working flat out. I used to love watching internationals -- I remember being really bummed out because the England v Argentina match clashed with my Criminal Law exam in June 2002. I listened to commentary on my walkman radio on the way to the exam, but it wasn't over until after the exam. No wonder I fluffed that one biggie style.

It was on at the cafe on the lot!

In a way I'm slightly relieved that England is not in the european cup this summer - saves me from getting drunk in the cock and bull at 6am

Or Kings Head!

Speaking of, I need to visit it again...

good morning all. it's dayum near friday

Well, after some negotiating, we did get the house and at an extremely fair price! We are thrilled!!

Not only that, I came to work this morning and found this in my email:

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The last processing action taken on your case

Receipt Number: MSCXXXXXXXXXX

Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Current Status: Card production ordered.



A banner day for sure!!!!!!!

Congrats Julez!



At least now you don't have to worry about having Griff's AP in time for July.

What wonderful news on both fronts, Julez! Congrats!!!

Thanks guys! I can't believe how fortunate we've been with all of this! We are just so very happy!

That's awesome! If all goes well our AOS package will be sent off a couple hours after we get married next Friday. Its so great to finally have Kris home. You should have seen the look on my youngest son's face when we surprised him last night with Kris walking into his room with me. It was classic!

That sounds like fun Robyn! Your son must be so excited!! I hope your AOS goes as smoothly as ours did!!

You know I got almost all my furniture off of craigslist.org. There are very few pieces that I bought new...however, I spent about $500 getting my house together, and paid all in cash too. I find in Chicago many people are too lazy to move their furniture (and a lot of the time it is nice stuff from Crate and Barrell/Pottery Barn/IKEA) so when they are getting ready to move they sell it so they don't have to move it. Some of the stuff I got had scratches but if you are handy you can always get stuff to cover it up.




Awesome day! Good job on the house...are you planning on doing a lot of work to it or is it pretty much the way you like it as it is?

House and green card in one day? maybe you shoulda bought a lottery ticket too! Congrats!

Thanks!!

Maybe I'll buy a ticket today anyway!! No mortgage would be sweet!!!

Congratulations Julez!

Funny how weeks can go by and bring nothing but disappointment and then suddenly there's a rush of good news all at once - not that I'm complaining!

Right?!

Congrats!!!

Oooh I love all the happy news

Thanks guys!! We are so, so, so happy!!!

Robin & I will toast you tonight with drinks & garlic fries (but not karaoke)!