Okay, it’s Thursday as I write and I am talking about Wednesday as I sit inside watching the British style rain coming down, and I’m wondering when it is going to move on to Turkey, as the Poseidon weather station tells me it is going to do.
So, house hunting, where are we with that? Well, we have considered a place by Lemonitisa that is a kitchen and a bedroom with an outside bathroom and, despite the terrace (which is larger than the living quarters) have decided that no, we can’t go from a two bed house to one room. Ditto a house we saw yesterday which was a one bed, house conversion with no view other than the neighbour’s front door. We have also looked at a house that is in the middle of renovation but which would not be ready in time, and a property which would do very nicely if: the rent is right, he takes it off the market, gives a five year lease and clears it of all the stuff in there within the next four weeks. (I am waiting to hear back on those points.)
We have also considered a holiday house that’s been offered, too small, another one near the road, also too small, one right on the road (not Jack friendly and currently has no bathroom and is not quite finished), and have asked about houses up near Sevasti studios, but these are also for sale and the owner wants only a short term rental.
And, with the help of Jenine –house-hunt assistant supreme – we have wandered the streets of Horio again, talking to people and knocking on doors. One problem we are up against is that a lot of houses have been converted into small units, like the one we saw yesterday. Two one bed flats in one property is fine for a brief stay, or a season, or if you are teacher, alone, an army officer etc. but not if you are a couple and living on Symi, as opposed to just passing through it.
Another problem is that a lot of people have their properties for sale and want to make money out of them. Fair enough of course, especially as one day a very wealthy person might come along and pay the (in my opinion) ridiculously high asking price. Prices that, as everywhere these days, put local people out of the buying frame. You might be able to get a let in a ‘for sale’ house but I would ask for a lease that stated the house would not be advertised on the market for the length of that lease. That’s going to be hard to find too.
But on the good-news side, we saw our landlord in Georgio’s in the evening and he has also been looking for us (as are many local people, Zoi, Nikos, Anna, the baker and at least two Yiannies). He also said not to panic about moving out ‘in a month’ as there was no rush. Well, you know how things work around here. And, while there, we had a very nice meal too, and without having to fuss about what to eat. ‘I have keftethes, salad, saganaki and pork chops,’ says Noufris. ‘That’ll do then,’say we, and very nice it was too – and so reasonable, $10.00 each, with wine. (Winter prices for the nearly homeless, I suspect.)
So, today (Thursday) Neil has already looked at another house – which would be perfect if not already occupied by someone who may want to carry on living in it – and has been out getting wet. The towels are drying on the balcony (not) and we’re rapidly running out of dry ones. Still, rain is due to stop this afternoon. Tha thoume. (We shall see.)
