Well, tonight’s apartment hunt didn’t turn out as expected. 
We only ended up seeing 1 out of the 3 apartments that we planned to see. Two of the owners canceled on us last-minute. Boo! 
The apartment that we did see was decent, but I don’t think it would have worked for us in the long run. Personally, the coin-op laundry in the basement was a big red flag for me! Oh well. We’re looking at a place tomorrow that seems to have some potential!
What are your “must-haves” in a house/apartment?
My list:
- Pet-friendly
- FREE laundry
- Dishwasher
- FREE parking
- Close-ish to public transportation
- Yard/near park
Dinner
TGFL! Thank God for Leftovers! 
Tonight’s leftover Turkey and Bean Chili tasted even better than it did last night. It must have “soaked-up” all of the wonderful flavors sitting in the fridge overnight.
So good! 
I also had some crackers on the side for scooping up chili chunks.
For dessert, I enjoyed a big square of Scharffen Berger dark chocolate.
And, later, I made myself a maple-brown sugar 3-Minute Cookie with Vega Smoothie Infusion mixed in. (Ok, I’m officially addicted to these things!)
Mal and I have a hot date with our DVR!
G’night!
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We are also searching for apartments and must have:
Dishwasher
Easy access to the ferry for me
Washer/dryer
and not stanky. Basically the general things everybody wants
I hated paying for laundry in college and am now spoiled with our washer/dryer.
Good luck searching, we’re seeing one tonight!
leftovers rock on a crazy day. wished we had had some!
my “must-haves” are mainly… no more moving! LOL we have put too much blood, sweat & tears into our house to move any time soon.
Thanks for reminding me I was given a scharrfen berger chocolate bar for christmas I haven’t broken into yet
Mmmm…that 3 minute cookie looks great…I’m giving it a try tonight!
Sorry the apartment was less than great…it’s definitely worth it to hold out for the right one though.
Pet friendly is a huge one for me.
love turkey chili – so yum!
The Mister and I are catching up on our DVR tonight, too! we are so far behind!!
I’ve been looking for a quick (serves 1) cookie recipe! I’ll have to give yours a shot
You are lovin those minute cookies Tina!! Ha
I love the idea of the cookie recipe! I must have missed that before. So much potential!
Thanks for the recipe.
As for apartment must haves for us it’s 2-3 bedrooms (we live in the middle of nowhere, so this is really common), 2 bathrooms, washer and dryer hook ups (if not washer and dryer included) and pet friendly for sure!
That’s super frustrating when people cancel last minute – ugh. Hope tomorrow’s better. Enjoy your cozy night at home : )
Ok, I officially have to try one of those cookies! That sucks the apt wasn’t for you but hopefully you’ll see some good ones soon. Honestly I dont have ANY must have’s!! All 4 of my apts have been extremely different and they all have lacked free laundry, dishwashers, and other fancy things. I’d like a nice closet, nice tub and a outlets in the bathroom- you’d be surprised how many apts have don’t have outlets in the bathroom!!
leftover chili is always better. it’s scientific.
I think thats a great must have list. My apartment (before we bought a house) did not have free laundry or a dishwasher. I used to bring my clothes to my parents house to wash- SUCH A PAIN. I rarely complain about doing laundry now because I’m just so happy it’s in my house.
I am really in love with your 3 minute oatmeal cookies too. Though I added chocolate chips instead of raisins…oops!
Any apt I’m looking at has to be:
cat friendly
close to something green (yard/park)
on the ground floor (heavy lifting and hot upstairs!)
have AC (essential in SoCal)
on-site laundry at least
no bars on the windows
not too close to the freeway
but close enough to a good market
I’m loving the micro-cookies too!
Ahhh, I’ve yet to try the 3-minute oatmeal cookie!! I’ve got to get on that STAT….
I am seriously addicted to the 3-minute oatmeal raisin cookies! Yummm.
My must-haves were always: pet-friendly, decent GAS kitchen, laundry in the building but not necessarily free, LOTS of windows
We are in the process of selling a house and looking for our first house we purchase together and I typed up an excel spreadsheet with nice to haves and must haves! I am such a dork
My must haves-
Good Location
Open Layout
Lots of light
Bedrooms Upstairs
Formal Dining Room
At least 3 bedrooms
Outdoor Space
and about a million nice to haves!
Chili always tastes better the second day
My must haves is that it needs to be close to a park, good commute and a decent kitchen.
no voting today?
It can’t be on the first floor. I don’t want anyone to climb into my windows and steal me.
Wow, what I would do for free laundry! Good luck with the hunt!
My theory is that anything like stews, casseroles, and chili ALWAYS taste better the next day. I’ve tested it often enough that I really believe it!
When I was doing apartment living, I also developed a list of must-haves – washer/dryer, dishwasher, free parking, decent sound barrier, “enough” windows, decent flooring. I also had a list of “deal killers” that included basements, paneling, wall paper, old carpet, moldy bathrooms, and of course – weird smells. ALMOST everything else can be dealt with.
Laundry is huge! Deal breaker in my eyes.
Have a great evening!
definitely want to have laundry in my next apartment – laundry in the city gets expensive!!
I’ve actually never lived in an apartment! Just my parents house, dorm at school, then this house! But the laundry thing would be HUGE. I always have so much.
Free laundry would be amazing, I hate dragging mine down to the coin-op!
I can not live without a washer dryer unit in my apartment. I can not. seriously. I also would like a place that is QUIET (senior citizens only building is perfect) and safe.
I’m watching biggest loser and was thinking how great it’d be if people signed up for the “pound for a pound” challenge to coincide the “lose the dough” challenge! good luck w/ apartment search!!
That chili is awesome a second day in a row.
I’ve considered trying one of those three-minute cookies, but if I did, I’d probably eat them all of the time. Too tempting.
I’m completely convinced that some foods taste better after they sit.. and Chili is top on that list!
My must have for an apartment is washer/dryer in unit, central air and location, location, location!!
Leftovers really are the best, especially during the week!!! Good luck tomorrow with the apt search.
Must-haves = quite & close to school/work!
And I really need to try making one of these microwave oatmeal cookies!
When I was apartment hunting free laundry was huge. And I liked a room I could set up as an office.
ah, i was just thinking of a late-night snack, and i think i found it in your 3-minute cookie!
thanks tina
♥ lindsey
Good luck on the apartment search! Free laundry and parking is always a must for me too! I haven’t tried to cookies yet, but tonight I had my first sandwich thin/PB/chocolate chip treat. It was DELICIOUS! A perfect snack, thanks for the idea.
Chili is always good leftover — yum!
I’m apartment hunting this spring and totally understand the frustration. My must-haves or WANTS: in-unit laundry, a dishwasher and big windows. Everything else is icing on top.
hi tina! i tried your cookie today and i had difficulty with them like meghann and meghann’s readers :S can you enlighten us with how to make a sucessful cookie? i didn’t soak mine so it was REALLY oat-y! it was as if i was eating clumped up raw oats! is it supposed to be soft and cake like? should i let it soak up in the liquid?
lets us know!! thanks!
We’re in the process of looking for our first house to buy and location is huge for me. Also, more than 1 bathroom and with a yard that can be fenced in for the dog.
I thought of a low calorie (but high in chemical) dessert I like these days (since I am dieting/getting into better shape). A few strawberries, a little bit of angel food cake, and some cool whip lite. YUMMMMMMMM
Apartment hunting can be so frustrating! I’m worried if I have to move away for residency and rent out our condo I’ll have a hard time finding somewhere dog friendly.
Ahh! After my most recent move we got all the main necessities: hard wood floors, dishwasher, balcony. We have added in earnest a new important “must have”: laundry. Apparently more and more apartments are offering this perk, keep your eyes peeled! Can you imagine doing your laundry in the evenings while doing OTHER things? heaven!
For me it would have to be:
1. Space, or at least the illusion of enough space
2. Sunlight
3. No mice/pests
4. Within my price range (heat and hot water included)
5. T accessible
6. Laundry in the building or VERY close by
That’s pretty much it! I live in a one-bedroom 4th floor walk up with no dishwasher all to myself and I’m never moving!
Good luck with your search – don’t settle! You, Mal, and Murphy deserve the best!
I don’t especially care about a dishwasher, but I really hope my next apartment has a washer/dryer. I would even take a coin operated one – I just want to be done with the laundromat.
When we were looking for our most recent apartment, we wanted enough space for two people and our then-two cats, a large master bedroom, and washer-dryer hookups. We ended up finding a place we LOVE.
i want a cookie!
Ahhh….I have to make that chili soon. It looks so good….espcially during these cold days!
your cookies are seriously addictive…so easy and so good! plus good for you! i’m totally making a cocoa version tomorrow for breakfast…mmmmmmmmm
we have to have pet-friendly, washer/dryer hookups, yard/park, dishwasher, and at least 2 rooms. good thing we bought a house, it’s hard to find all of those here without paying too much
Those cookies look so weird…I think I need to make one to become convinced of their charms!
Great looking dinner!
Free parking and laundry would be a must for me
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