It was instructive.
I have two comments on the experience: first, I am not surprised, but still just a little discouraged that rentals in this country, or at least in this town, continue to be of a transitional kind. These are not places where you move to and you stay way past when your kids are grown and gone. They’re places where you stay before you buy something.
And that’s a shame, for any number of reasons.
Secondly, I notice a great deal of disrespect (therefore?) for the premises that people inhabit in this transitional time (however long it may last). Messy, filthy -- these are words that come to mind. And mind you, I am looking at places that are meant for the young professional set. Why spend money on a good place if you’re going to treat it so poorly?
I wonder, is this born of privilege? Because in my years of growing up in Poland, I never quite saw anything like it. Poland does not have a reputation for cleanliness, but I never saw the slovenliness there that I see here.
Ed tells me – this is the way people live. (Meaning: this would be his preference as well.) He tells me I’m the outlier in my constant tidying and polishing.
Am I?
I’ll leave you with the flip side of this – an aesthetically pleasing, lovely bouquet of flowers from the bride and groom of last week's wedding. The buds are a comfort to me. Beauty matters. It doesn’t have to be complicated or extravagant. Indeed, I prefer it simple. And breathtakingly lovely.
I always found apartment hunting in Madison incredibly sad as well (especially when looking near campus). There were (are) some incredible places, but the landlords see no need to keep them nice when the tenants trash them on a seemingly daily basis. My sister found luck out near the malls, but even then, carpets get worn and stained with little fear of recourse. I'm all for the "lived in" look (especially at this stage of my life) but when I know people are coming to visit, even for a bit but especially if they're looking at my house as a possible new home, I like to put on my best, clean, tidy face. My realtor in Utah even made fun of me for it. Plus, flowers always make things look better.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, I respect other people's property and I like my home to be tidy and clean. Doesn't mean it is always tidy, but it is usually organized clutter that I'm in the middle of sorting out. If I consider the people who have rented our properties over the last year, most have been quite neat (and a couple were slobs but did very little physical damage - and they were mid-20's people). I have only lived in one apartment in my adult life, and it was filthy when I moved in - I can't remember how many times I scrubbed the floor before I considered it clean enough to walk on without shoes. On the other hand, a condo that I bought, was very clean. So...rented property versus owned property - I think you are right that temporary situations create irresponsible slobs. It's a shame.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Nina.
ReplyDeleteAs an undergrad, girlfriends and I staked out places that favored all-female tenants a year ahead. Yes, landlords discriminate based on gender.
Then I lived with four men in grad school and became ill from the slop and the cat. Also, the home, owned by St. Mary's (!) was falling apart.
Now I am married and my standards have swung low, low due to husband's habits. For right now he has won that battle, and it makes me sad. Mothers: Teach your boys clean ways!
Warning: Walking near Camp Randall once, someone threw a piece of pizza at me from an apartment window. Steer clear of Frat-infested neighborhoods.
-Amy