The Search for the Perfect Apartment

This year I am looking for the Perfect Apartment. 

Last year’s living situation fell short of the mark – I arrived in Arevalo with few choices and no choice but to live with four random guys, two of whom left within the first month, another who never showed up (he lived in another city) and the last of whom rarely talked to me until he moved out in March, leaving me alone in Arevalo.

This year is going to be different.  I’ve been here for a week, using Olga’s Place as a temporary base of operations (highly recommended hostel).  While all the other hostel guests are passing through San Sebastian on vacation, I am spending my days checking out apartments in every side of San Sebastian. 

Last year my crumby apartment was sandwiched between farmland, a boarding school for Madrid’s banished miscreant youth, and a mental institution.  This year I want better neighbors. 

A year ago I saw my apartment as little more than a hostel bed – a cheap place to leave your things while you embark upon other adventures.  Nine months later, I’d learned that with whom and where you live is one of the largest determinants of happiness. 

My ideal living situation will be a mixture of people from around Europe with all of us speaking Spanish.  Have you seen the hilarious Spanish/French film L'Augberge Espagnole (The Spanish Apartment)?  It's about a French college student who goes to Barcelona for a year abroad and moves into a wild apartment filled with people from every culture in Europe.  The multitude of cultures multures mix, clash, and ultimately enrich the lives of each of the roommates.  Check the movie out and you will see what I mean. 

I want to live in the Centro area so I can be close to anything, ideally next to the Plaza de Guipuzcoa.  I’m looking for an old building with character, lower rent, and a balcony of some type.

But after a week of sifting through the classifieds, I’m realizing this Perfect Apartment is more elusive than I thought.