House Hunters International!

During our first week at orientation, the housing office notified us that there is a waiting list for our rank and bedroom preference. They suggested that we should aggressively look in the economy and consider living off base. We took it as a sign from God and that he was giving us his blessing to live off base. Luckily, our sponsors lined up a couple of houses to check out that weekend. I told you that we have awesome sponsors!!

There are so many variables with looking for a house. Unfortunately, you will not find all that you want in one house, but you have to prioritize on what's most important.

Here was our checklist:
#1 - SAFETY and a GREAT LANDLORD/OWNER!!!
- Alarm in house (with a call to your cell and polizia)
- Potable water (water here can be questionable) so most landlords deliver water in bulk.
- Garage (with steel doors)
- Locks on all windows and doors (must be steel too)
- Gated entry into Parco and into your villa (2 separate gated entries)
- 4+ bedroom, 3+ bathroom
- Kitchen - what size stove (American or Italian), can the kitchen handle an American size refrigerator?
-Wash room - is there washer and dryer capabilities. What type of dryer can we have (gas or Italian type dryer). Most locals don't have dryers, because electricity it too expensive.
- Ceiling fans in every room
- Air/heat in every room (there's no central a/c here)
- Screens on windows
- Internet capability (yes, some families live w/o Internet)
- Enough power to sustain multiple appliances at one time (for example...washing a load, using the toaster and watching tv)
- School bus stop location
- Close to the NATO base
- Neighbors
- How may liters does the gas tank hold?
-110AC plugs are a plus!!!

Last but not least...SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY!!!! Is this Parco safe???


Ok, enough of the list...here are some of the houses we looked at....

House #1

4 bedrooms, 4 bathroom.
This house checked off most of the list. Two of the most important, safety and awesome landlord. Those were instantly checked off at this location.

 

 

House #2

This house screams "Italia!" and it is just across from the NATO base. It is a great location and the owner is great. The street is a little busy and it is a 3 bedroom.

 

Mamma Mia!! I can look out this window ALL day!

Small kitchen.

 

You can't beat this...it is so close to the base!!

 

 

House #3

This house was a longer drive to/from base (2 miles). The rent was more negotiable. It's a 3 bedroom.

 

House #4

I didn't take pictures of this one because my mind was already set on what house I wanted. However, I thought this was a nice feature!

 

 

 

Well, that's all I have. We didn't see many houses because the town we selected is small. I am happy with our choice. Tune in for what we picked!!!

 

 

 

 

Shopping at Shoe Alley!

It has been quite the culture shock for me in regards to my easy going California attire. The men and women here take fashion very serious! I am too embarrassed to wear my flip flops and yoga pants in the area. It would be the equivalent to wearing pj's (or fleece pants) out to Target. It's not cool!!!  I had to part with my comfy clothes and put the flip flops and yoga pants away! Then I had to bust out the skinny jeggings and go boot shopping!!

Just to give you an example on how serious they are here...
Andy and I were at the kids' school...walking down the hallway and the school janitors were nearby talking. Just as we passed them, I notice the female janitor. She was wearing her uniform shirt with super skinny jeans and knee high stiletto boots (I'm talking 3" high). She walked away pushing the trash can with a mop.

My jaw dropped because I can't stand straight with boots like that and I am confident that Andy's jaw dropped because she was rockn' that outfit!

I have some serious leg envy! *Sigh*



Moving on...
The MWR and USO here offers awesome (daily) trips. Two gal pals invited me to join them for some harmless shopping at Shoe Alley. This trip was coordinated by the MWR. All we had to do was show up at the bus stop (on base), take plenty of EURO and be in the mood to shop!!

This was a sweet lady we met and she wanted us to take pictures of her purses and post them on FB. They also had beautiful leather belts there and they sized them for you on the spot. AMAZING!!

 

 My first pair of Italian leather boots for 30 EURO. They are more for the spring, but who cares?

 

 

 

This is such an important piece of info before you go shopping. 

Conversion chart! Ugh!!!