Settling in without really settling in – that’s what I’ve been doing.
My first full day here, yesterday, was a mix of getting my bearings, trying to adjust my habits, and working on a game plan. In terms of doing what I NEED to do, I checked out two apartments along with their surrounding neighborhoods. In terms of doing what I want to do, I went for a four mile run/walk along the marina, sat a coffee shop and read, and walked around the city (to the neighborhoods where the apartments were).
First and foremost, I need to find a place to live. Getting a permanent address will make it easier to apply for jobs, switch over accounts, secure healthcare, and everything else. Because it’s the key to just about everything else, I’m tempted to take any old place. Having lived in hotels and at campgrounds for the past two months has lowered my standards considerably. Heating water through a hotel coffee maker so I can have oatmeal for breakfast has lowered my standards. In terms of comforts, I don’t need much. If the place has room for a bed, a sofa, a table, some book shelves, and also has some natural light – that’s more than I’ve had recently.
I’m currently staying at a hotel with a bathroom, a bed, a dresser, a table, a coffee pot and a window (with a slight view of the Golden Gate Bridge). I’m in a neighborhood that has dozens of restaurants, shops, bars, and cafes within walking distance – though I’m trying to cut back on my caloric and alcoholic intake. The hotel is about a ten minute walk to the marina (hence the run along the water front). Because it’s a desirable location, there aren’t many apartments here… at least not in my price range as an unemployed vagabond. I’ve also been warned that there’s an abundance of bros in the area. As for cost, I have to remind myself to not be overly conservative. An extra $200 a month isn’t that much in the grand scheme of things, but a good location and decent layout will make a big difference in quality of life over the course of a year. As for the bros… ehhh.
The first place I visited was reasonable enough. The space was decent though the layout was a little strange. The neighborhood was uninspiring, but it’s only a fifteen minute walk from where I’m currently staying. The second place I looked at was in a more interesting neighborhood… but the place had no windows and only one glass door that led to a tiny shaded deck where natural light could come in. The rent was reasonable (for SF), but I think the lack of natural light is a deal-breaker.
By the time I got back to my hotel last night, I was exhausted. I think the time zone thing finally caught up with me and the amount of walking I did (probably four or five miles on top of the four mile run) didn’t help. By 7:30, I was in bed and scrolling social media and trying not to fall asleep.
Today, Wednesday – my second full day here, was more productive and felt much more like a regular work day. I made my coffee and oatmeal. I ate lunch at my desk. For the better part of the day, I looked for apartments and jobs. By the time I left in the afternoon to explore a different part of the city, I had applied to four jobs and put applications in at two apartments. I was feeling optimistic. I’m sure some rejections and setbacks will keep me in check, but overall, I’m pretty thrilled with my decision to move out this way (it’s only been two days and I have lots of reasons to worry about it all going sideways).
Tonight I went to bar that’s around the corner from my hotel. I saw some of the bros first-hand, live and in person. The one guy asked for his martini glass to be rinsed with vermouth, and I couldn’t decide if that was pretentious or just a sign of a guy who knows how he likes his drink. I took notes on everything thinking it might become a poem: Field Notes from a bar in San Francisco… I didn’t really fit in with the crowd which made it all the more fascinating.
I have more than a few reasons to worry (job, a place to live, the possibility of eating open-faced turkey alone at a diner on Thanksgiving)… but despite all of that, I’m feelin’ like quoting the venerable Ice Cube – “It was a good day.” I’m hoping it only gets better.