the search for a new place blows

this post is going to seem extremely trivial, coming as it does after the Isis & Phoenix Barfuss Rigid Spine post. let me apologize now.

i want to take this opportunity to complain about searching for a new place to live. i loathe the search. it may be that i am extra picky. i have lived in a wide variety of apartments and know what i want and what will suit me. but since the home break in and subsequent car theft and recent car stereo theft, i have to add the parking situation (e.g., is it off street? is there a garage? etc.) to the list of questions and requirements for a place.

but it seems that most places with garages are not so fond of letting me keep my gordo gato (we all know he's going wherever i go). others tout the availability of off-street parking which basically means a small parking area that is easily accessible and not necessarily secured but is just not on the street.

so safety is the most important aspect of the new place. next is the kitchen counter/cabinet space. I have yet to figure out why it is that most rentals are lacking in these vital (to those of us who pretend to cook) components. i've seen pictures of places that have great counter space but they are either located in an area of town that i don't want to live or (once again) are discriminating against me (not really.. i understand why some landlords don't want to allow pets) for being a pet owner.

what to do? what to do?

to date, i've looked at 5-8 places and not one of them gave me the 'aha!' moment i've been searching for. i have another two (at least) to go and check out today. one w/ garage and one w/out but w/ gated access. both are located near nice parks and allow the gato.

maybe i need to tone down my requirements. i mean do i really need ass loads of kitchen counter space? food storage? a place other then the bathroom for the kitty's litter box? a nice storage area for my bike and other sentimental stuff? i would LOVE to find a great 2 bd place where i could eventually put a small desk for my computer (instead of sitting on le bed) and use for storage of above stuff and winter-ish clothes.

i guess having the rest of the month to look gives me some space but i'm not to sure that i want to do the 'hey it's july 31st and i'm moving out of my current place and into the new place and then have to go back and clean the old place' all in the same day. if you'll remember, such things are a HUGE pain in the ass.

ok. rant over.

i'll keep you posted on the search results!