Many of you have been asking to see pictures of our
potential new places. After 3 days of
intensive house hunting, I think Chris and I have narrowed our decision to four
different places. (I know HHI usually
narrows it down to three, but we needed one more. )
Before you see our final choices, check out some of the
other places that will be WONDERFUL for other people.
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| Look! It is gated! |
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| It is well lit also! |
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| Chris rocks the coffee. |
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| We have satellite TV. |
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| At least this is not a squattie. (That is a whole other post that will come much later.) |
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| Um, OSHA? I think we may have a violation. |
Here are our finalists:
1)
Razzle Dazzle
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| the kitchen |
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| Guest bedroom #1 |
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| I am such a sucker for sparkly lighting. |
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| master bedroom storage |
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| the living room area How can Chris think this is a doll house? :) |
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| Guest bedroom #2 that will be my office/ scrap room. |
Our first finalist is a 3-bedroom apartment in the Regent’s
Park compound. Located 2 minutes from
the Shanghai Metro, this newly renovated 178 m2 apartment features
beautiful hardwood floors, lovely peach wall coloring, one of a kind white
furniture throughout the apartment, and maid service! Unfortunately, this unit has no oven, and no
yard. However, the view from the 32nd
floor is breathtaking. Chris was
skeptical of the white furniture. I
believe “I feel like I am in a dollhouse” and “this white furniture sucks” were
his exact words. Anne-Marie LOVED the
sparkly lighting! She also loved the
terrace that is connected to the room that would be her new office.
2)
Shanghai Haven
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| We have an oven! |
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| This yard is great for the pups. |
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| The "good health" bathtub |
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| The master bedroom sitting area |
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| The master bedroom sleeping area |
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| The guest bedroom |
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| Chris pretending to write his manifesto |
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| The wine cellar |
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| Anne-Marie's office area (Look out Ikea, here we come!) |
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| The ladies like it! |
Our second finalist is a 3-bedroom townhome in the Spring
Garden compound. Located 5-10 minutes
from the Metro, this 250 m2 townhome features classic Chinese décor,
a fenced in yard for the puppies, a spacious master bedroom suite, a wine
cellar, and a lovely wooden bathtub that has been called “good for
health”. Chris enjoyed the large dining
area. He claimed, “I could sit here and
write my manifesto.” Anne-Marie had a
great appreciation for the wine cellar, but was leery of the saloon style
bathroom doors and wooden tub.
3)
Corporate Compound
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| Family room lighting |
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| The kitchen |
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| A-M's office |
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| Jet tub!!! |
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| Master bedroom |
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| Guest bedroom |
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| Dining area |
Our third finalist is a 3-bedroom first floor apartment in
the Yan Lord Riverside Apartment compound.
Yes, you can laugh at the name.
Anne-Marie is still laughing.
The 210m2 apartment has a terrace that is perfect for the
puppies, a jetted master bathtub, three spacious bedrooms, and is an 8 minute
walk from the Metro. Chris likes the
size of the apartment and puppy terrace.
He also likes the prospect of living in the same building with other
Bosch employees. Anne-Marie has always wanted a jet tub, but is concerned that
she can’t see the apartment illuminated because the government refuses to turn
on the lights. (Apparently the previous
tenant and/or owner were tardy with their bills.)
4)
Gateway to the City
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| Fun times for the tenants |
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| Ovenless kitchen |
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| family and dining room area |
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| the office |
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| the guest bedroom |
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| guest bathroom |
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| master bedroom |
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| all in one washer dryer |
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| indoor driving range |
Our final contender is a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment in the
Grand Gateway Garden apartment compound.
This tastefully decorated apartment close to the metro has an active
tenant social calendar, maid service, doorman, and wonderful amenities
center. (Chris thoroughly enjoyed the
indoor driving range.) While the unit is
small, (150 m2 ), it is
located down the street from a beautiful cathedral and across the street from a designer shopping mall. (That’s
right…A-M can walk to Sephora daily!!!)
Chris likes it, but is concerned about the dogs liking it. However he
feels that “if we don’t cut their Pupperoni allowance, all will be okay”. A-M loves the location, but is concerned
about the sketchy view from the north side of the building.
