Signs that you may not want to rent in the area.

• Ask about noise / crime and get evasive answers.
• close to primary city traffic
• the agent mentions a nicer apartment just up the road, but for reasons unknown, won’t take you there
• while waiting for a cab, you witness an impromptu pit bull fight- a young lady’s being walked is attacked by another not tethered in the yard over. Thank goodness for aluminum crutches.

Though the apartment was clean, tile floors, looks a bit small for a one bedroom. Has a pool and laundry facilities. I’m going to look a bit more deeply into the quieter parts of town, as that place had three units available; I have mixed feelings about it. I probably won’t get one of those. Most places are only asking first and security, and a few are offering $100 off if I move in within 2 weeks, another $100 off if I get the application back to ’em in 24 hours, and yet a third $100 off if I tell them that I found the place via rent.com.

Other Things seen –

About 5 apartments, all within a 6-block radius. varied wildly from “Oh, Hell no” to “Wow, that’s gorgeous”. I think that I can find a nice place, a little bigger for not much more than I’m paying now.

A kid (13?) get off the school bus with a bright yellow folder labeled “languish arts” written by what looks to be a 6 year-old’s off-hand script. I think Languish Arts is a cool name for a band, but I don’t think the kid was being clever, just illiterate.

A young Spanish girl, maybe fifteen, with colorful neck tattoos, as well as on one either arm and at the base of back. I wonder how she’ll feel about those in another fifteen years? Will she live to see forty-five? Sixty? The arms are easily covered, but the neck would be very difficult. I wonder how, if at all it’ll affect her ability to get a job?

Why did I opt not to take my camera with me today? I forgot. I planned on taking it with me to take photos of the apartments I visited.