If I received $0.10 for every time I heard, you should go on the show, House Hunters International, I would collect $1.20. And if I could pocket $0.10 for every time I thought about appearing on the show, I would be able to purchase two items from the dollar store.
Steve and I were out of the ecstatic box at the opportunity to house hunt in England. We have been thoroughly fancied by our domestic experience house hunting in Royal Oak and Beverly Hills. This! This though, was new and added excitement. It took the first property for me and I was sold! Cautious Steve wanted to see all the options. He preferred a furnished property and of course a worthy deal. The further we landed from the city centre the less enthused I became.
It was a picnic in the park to see all the properties. We noticed small appliances at all homes, clothes lines (the laundry does not dry in the compact dryers compared to the USA), small green areas outside if any, small rooms without closets, and old world and unique styles.
The following side story may only humour Steve and myself. At our second to last property viewing, that both of us very much appreciated, I misspoke to the realtor. Our current rental, a B&B is a quaint apartment with a decent location. Across the street and around the corner is a lovely park, Governor Park. Steve mentioned this to us as we played follow the leader to Governor Park. It had a playground, a nice walking/jogging path, along with more unique features such as, a Roman Amphitheatre. I was talking with the realtor (everyone we have encountered in the UK has been above kind to us–wanting to know our story and views on the USA).
The young gentle realtor told me Grosner Park was walking distance. Oh really, I mentioned, we just went to Governor Park yesterday. There are two parks in the city. A kind reply, it’s just Grosner. My reply, but we went to Governor, by Steam Mill Street. We exchanged the words Governor and Grosner to each other a handful times two. He said, Grosner and I would repeat, you mean Governor. Steve finally did a swift interception, Sarah, he’s being very polite and correcting you. Apologetic, oh okay, I do not know why I thought it was Governor. Pink, warm cheeks.
After a memorable day of our international house hunting, and with an extremely short deadline, we mulled over our decision that evening. My mind was clear from the beginning the first house held my sold sign. Back and forth, back and forth we weighed pro’s and con’s. For every con (and there were definitely a few or more) for my first choice, I rebutted with a pro and a pro and a pro! Decision time and we went with my first desire, that Steve eventually is equally breathless about, a row house on Abbey Street.
The house is wonderfully unique. A structure I have never experienced. It is three stories. The main floor has a living area with a fireplace, a large kitchen (for UK standards) a half bath, and a laundry room! The laundry is typically in the kitchen, AND it has a separate washer and dryer–big bonus. On the second floor is a master bedroom with an en-suite. Also on the second floor is a second living area with a fire place. We are turning it into Caroline’s room so we can have a four bedroom house. On the top floor is Helen (also has a fireplace) and Kate’s bedroom with a large bathroom for all the girls to share. The bedrooms are not tiny, they can all fit a double bed with a wardrobe and some other pieces of furniture. It has a cellar for storage.
The house is foot steps away from the bustling city centre. It is right behind the Cathedral. We can touch the Cathedral’s wall from our patio. We drive through the Cathedral’s arches to enter our property. There is green space behind the parking lot and a playground across the street. Down the street and to the left is a falcon park. We can buy a year long membership. Children release falcons into flight (they return hopefully) and there is a reptile house there too.
I love it! The girls love it! Our family loves it! I love Steve for ultimately letting me get my way. Our first USA house hunting experience I had my way too, but Steve chose our forever home in Beverly Hills. Although this experience reads You never know what the future holds.
Welcome home, Sextons to your new row house on Abbey Street, greetings from Chester. Home sweet home. And truthfully I would be happy anywhere as long as I am with my tribe. But this sure does add a colourful adventure.
Abbey Row 