House Hunters International, Option 3

Housing option 3 also sits on the Moscow River in Alye Parusa.

Pros

Three bedrooms

2complete baths

Fitness and pool (with fee)

On river

Nice views, no construction nearby

Metro within walking distance

The Mr can walk to metro for work, 30 min commute including walking and metro

Cons

Decor

School not nearby, would need private car/driver

The mr has to walk to metro in winter/snow

Rent

A lot of money

Withing budget expectations

Same price as option 1

House Hunters International, Option 2

Housing option 2 is located in a compound called Alye Parusa on the Moscow River.

Pros

Spacious three bedrooms

2.5 bathrooms

Newly renovated

More storage possibilities

Access to fitness and pool (with fee)

Within walking distance to metro

Fun kids play area

On river

The Mr can walk to metro, 30 min commute walking and metro

would need driver

Cons

Construction outside, not a pretty view, noise?

Not near school, would need private car/driver

Will it be ready in a month (complete kitchen)?

The Mr has to walk in winter/snow to metro for work

Would need driver

Rent

$300 more per month than options 1and 3

Still A Lot of money

Which means  you kinda wanna crap your pants over because in Florida I could be living in a mic mansion on the water. 

One third of the pool...continues on to the right. Pool under renovation, to be completed by September 1.

House Hunters International

Although we emailed the show, House Hunters International, MANY times they never called.  Multiple people emailed as well on our behalf.  Munchkin One and I LOVE this show.  So, we decided to make our own home version.

Come along with the Moscow Munchkins as we look for our next home in Moscow, Russia!
Our requirements were...must have 3 bedrooms, 2 baths,  fitness facility, near metro, outdoor space for kids to play.

This is House 1

Beregoyvaya

 Pros

Located within walking distance to school

Balcony off Master

3 bedrooms

2 baths
Shuttle to metro
The Mr would take shuttle to metro and then metro to work, 30 min commute

Cons

No metro nearby

Shopping, Grocery not convenient

Lacks Storage 

No fitness facility, however limited access to school fitness

Rent

A lot of money

but within budget expectation

 Green walking bridge in distance is near school entrance.

Which one will we chose? Stay tuned for more housing options!

Triumph Playground

This play area is for children of Triumph Palace. This, unlike the fitness centers, is free! Doesn't it look like fun?

Triumph Palace

This is a residential building we viewed today. There is a fitness center on premises for an extra fee. Annual membership to the fitness center is 81,000 rubles per adult and 44,000 rubles per child. This is about $8,500 a year.

Great Expectations

Today we received the agenda for our Look/See.  It looks to be jammed packed days with relaxing nights.  Seeing the agenda has made this another step closer to being real...As in this is really happening.  I feel excitement and fear.  Excitement for a new adventure, new places, new food, new people, new friends (old friends-do not fear, I am not getting rid of you...yet).  Fear of the unknown and new language. 

I have had very little if any expectations along this road. I have tried and succeeded to keep an open mind. It has been easy path to traverse, every door along the way has opened for us.  The relocation agent sent us housing listing to begin viewing.  Yet another step in making this real. Some housing options were very solid possibilities; others not even a chance.  We received another round of listings. This time apartments...the previous were townhouses and homes.  I find myself feeling frustrated and disappointed. Frustrated in that we should be able to find what we would like within our housing budget and you can.  Only it is outside of the city making transportation a major issue. We will not have a car or driver that I am aware of.    Many were not within walking distance to the metro.  I am disappointed because I know where I want to live. It is very near the city center, within walking distance to a metro and potential school and it has backyards for the Munchkins to play in.  The problem? It is twice the price of our housing allowance.  We may be willing to spend more for the location, but we still await a contract. So, we aren't sure exactly how much out of pocket we can spend. 

Without getting into personal details, you can go to Intermark's website to view properties in Moscow.  Here you will find many real estate options in a full range of prices.  For renting, prices are quoted per month.  Do you know what we can do with this kind of rent/mortgage payment where we live?  Hint-Ocean Front.

So, my open mind is closing a bit which means I need to readjust my expectations.  It also means I need to go with the flow.....but I still want to live where I want to live and I am not giving up on that!