Loft.

when i came back to work at my marketing agency, it was negotiated that i would start up at the front desk as a receptionist for a few months, and then i would be moved back to my original position in client service. things are in a period of transition right now at the agency, so it made sense. i'm still at the front desk, but wheels have started turning and i am thinking that i will be returning to client work in the next 3-4 weeks. with that comes all the added responsibilities and workload, but it also comes with a sizable pay increase.

for the first time in my life, i won't be living right on the edge of broke.

now, don't get me wrong. i'm not going to be making much money at all, way below the average for my industry and for richmond averages. but just for my life the past six years, it's more than i've made before. i'm sure you're all surprised to hear that temping isn't a big money-maker.

so anyway, now that i don't have to make all my life choices based always on "what is the cheapest option?", it's a little bit overwhelming.

i'm really happy with my living situation right now. i've got cool roommates, a lot of space, good location, and it's perfect for me right now. i'd like to stay here a few more months and save some money. however, once mid-summer rolls around and hopefully once that pay increase has been in effect for a few months, i'd like to either find my own 1BR place, or move into a 2BR with the esteemed william st. john chubb III, who has not quite yet decided whether he's returning to richmond from his current home of boston.



in my head, the place i want to live is right near jackson ward, the fan, and all my friends and favorite places to go. and it looks like this:



giant warehouse windows with a view. tall ceilings. hardwood floors. newly renovated. maybe some exposed brick.

but what i'm quickly finding out is that these places:
a) are only in shockoe bottom (yuck!) or manchester (not as yuck!)
b) are (for the most part) STILL way out of my budget

there is one place in manchester called the parachute factory lofts, but it's managed by river city real estate and they don't get such great reviews.

and while i have all these elaborate loft-y (haha) ideas, i get the feeling that i'm just going to have to settle for one of these:



but a fan row house is always better than this: