And the sublet journey continues....

Stefanie here!!

Ok so last time I checked in I was all head-over-heels for that one sublet... WEEELLLLL I spoke too soon. They ended up going with a friend from college. Understandable but it still sucked for me. 

So that sent my right back to square one with sublet hunting. It was even more frustrating because I am now in the Atlantic City area with KB and Doug which make getting to NYC to look a little bit more difficult. But thankfully Doug and KB were into going into the city with me on Monday. 

I went back to Astoria and looked at two more places I had found on craigslist. The first one was closer to Ditmars Blvd. which is right by where Lys is living for that first month. The room was a bit on the small side, only had a twin bed but the bathroom was really nice and the kitchen and living room area were cute. It was all pretty clean and the building was really nice. The second one was HUGE and they were willing to let Lys live with me for the rest of July and August... But they ended up going with someone else so I committed to the first one. 

I'm actually really excited!! I'll be two blocks away from Lys during that first month and then hopefully I can help find her something for July that's close as well! I'm able to move in June 4 and I'll be staying there until August 6ish. I am talking to the girl I am subletting from today to work out the details! If anyone wants the address to send letters or care-packages or gummi eggs :) let me know via email!! (stef.wagner4@gmail.com) 

I also got an email from the company manager and artistic director of the York Theatre off-broadway company confirming that I was on board to be their stage management production assistant for two of their summer shows! I'll be working for them June 14-26! 

So it seems like everything is finally coming together here!! 

Getting excited for Lys to come on board and join the madness!! :)

Peace out for now,

Stef

Sublets!!!! And my new love for Astoria!

Stefanie here! I am writing all of this on my way back to NJ on the train... 

Tonight I went into the city for the second time this week to see sublets. I ended up only going to the first one today because I fell in love. With Astoria, Queens. It is the best little ethnically diverse neighborhood I've been in. Lys found a sublet on 29th street and the sublet I looked at first was on 38th so we'll literally be only 9 blocks away from each other but the subway stop will be right in the middle of us. (it's on 31st) I ended up stopping at this little italian restaurant called Alba's after and got stuffed rigatoni which was to die for. But anyways, Astoria.... There are cute little farmers markets everywhere. There were families, kids, and people around our age all walking around. It seemed very safe and I definitely got that community feeling right away!

The people I met with were amazing! The two people who will be my apt mates are both actors, one guy one girl. They found out I am a stage manager and immediately they were talking about all the people they want me to get in contact with! They both seemed really nice, responsible, respectful and very down to earth.
The room itself was ...small. I mean really small. There's a double bed and that's about all that will fit... For the Miami people reading this, imagine the smallest dorm room you've been in... Now cut that in half! Typical New York though...

I should mention this is the second sublet I've seen. The first one was in Woodside, Queens which is right next to Astoria... I have to say the apartment itself was nicer and a little bit bigger but the neighborhood was a little sketch and the apt mate I met seemed a little too snobby for my liking.

Also the apartment in Astoria is cheaper and a shorter commute to Manhattan. And there are a lot more shops and such that could lead to potential part time jobs! Overall, I have a really good feeling about it and I can't wait to explore Astoria even more with Lys. I will find out tomorrow if I for sure get the sublet. They said they loved me and I have first dibs but they have more people looking tomorrow and they want to have a backup plan just in case I don't end up working out.

For future sublet hunters, it's very cut throat. You have to respond quickly and be accessible to them immediately. Everyone wants to meet you it's always good for you to meet them and see the place.

So my advice is stay glued to craigslist, don't start responding though until you are close to the city of your choosing, make sure the room is furnished, meet the potential future roomies if possible, see the place in person, and if you are considering NYC (and maybe other cities...) make sure it has AC! Oh and most importantly ACT FAST! If you are into a place, tell them immediately or it will be gone before you know it.

I'm sure there's more for me to learn on this subject as I move forward but this is what I know so far so I thought I'd share!

Well this is sufficiently a long entry (you can tell I'm bored on the train...) so for now I'm outta here! Heading down to Brigantine tomorrow morning where KB will finally join me in my Jersey detox. Yay!

Signing off,
Stefanie

Last post from Ohio!

Hey all!
Stefanie again here!
Lys has been busy busy in Europe which I'm sure you all have read on her blog. She just left London and is now in Paris!
It's all starting to come to life here on my side of things. I leave tomorrow morning at 8 am and I couldn't be more excited, scared, nervous, and anxious all at the same time. It's weird that my dreams of living and working in the city are actually coming to fruition.
My game plan has adjusted a little bit... I'm spending Monday- Wednesday with my aunt and uncle in northern Jersey and going to see a few sublet options on Tuesday in the city. Then Wednesday, I'm heading down to the shore house in Brigantine where I'll spend the remainder of the month. Then hopefully June 1 I will be in the city with Lys close behind!
I also got an offer on Friday to be a production assistant at the York Theatre (off broadway). I would serve under two stage management teams for a little over 2 weeks. I am soooo super excited for this opportunity! I hope it all works out!
Anyways! Goodbye Ohio!!! It was real! 22 years later, I'm finally getting out!
Next time I post will hopefully be about promising news with my sublet situation and an update about my time on the east coast! Make sure you guys check in with Lys at her Europe blog too!!

Peace out!
Stefanie

Getting ready!

Stefanie here checking in for our first blog post!
Lys and I decided that it would be fun to have a place where people can check in on our progress as we hit the big apple!
Lys leaves tonight to explore Europe for 3 weeks and then I leave Monday to detox in Jersey for 2 weeks... and after that NYC will need to WATCH OUT!
(Also if you are interested in Lys's adventures in Europe this next month follow her blog at
http://alyssaolson.blogspot.com/ )
So yeahhh.... currently we are both in over our heads as far as unpacking and packing goes.
And I'm still trying to find a sublet for the first month but making progress!

These next few months should be rather exciting!

SO! Keep checking back for life updates and such!

Signing off,
Stef