KC and Bob moved to Saratoga Springs two months ago. KCs sister scouted out the rental property before hand by walking through and shooting a detailed video. The place is beautiful with old wooden floors and four huge skylights in the upstairs studio area.
KC is an oil painter and she set up her large easel across from the skylights and she illuminates the ceiling with bright LED lights set up in movie style lights with shutters.
While I was doing this sketch she was taking care of all the tasks that come after a move to let businesses know the new address. Frankie their adorable English Terrier rested on the floor. I can only dream about finding a studio as gorgeous as this.
After a crazy week of looking at New York homes, I now realize that I will have to find a rental like this as a home base and keep looking for the perfect studio. to buy
One of the doors at the back of the studio leads to an outdoor patio, which was a great spot for dinner and watching the sunset. From the patio, Frankie, the terrier has a view overlooking the next door lot. She tensed up and locks on anytime she sees a rabbit. One time, she broke free from her leash and she darted down the wooden steps to chase the rabbit. By the time she got to the ground the rabbit was gone. The next door neighbor however is the wicked witch of the west and she complains any time someone steps foot on her property including the puppy. She should really live way off in the woods, where the next neighbor is a mile away. She is a yoga instructor, but evil.
Except for rain the day I arrived, and rain the day I left, the weather in Saratoga Springs was beautiful. The grass was soft to the touch and there was always a cool breeze. The homes were beautiful and the people I met while sketching were friendly. The only reason I would not consider living there is that it is north of Albany and therefor much too far from New York City. KC gave me a book to keep track of all the properties I would be seeing during the week. She was shocked that I was just carrying around a few scraps of paper with notes. She wrote on the back page the things I should consider as I looked at properties
- In budget.
- Within an hour if possible from NYC.
- Reasonable size. About 1,000 to 2,000 square feet.
- Place should be in reasonable/good condition.
- Decent neighborhood.
Several met all the criteria, but one had asbestos and the other sold before I could look at it. That last property was built for sculptor Dudley Pratt and I honestly think I would have made an offer has I seen it in person. Realtors simply didn’t show up and were quite frankly rude and unhelpful. My hope is that I can find one honest buyers realtor who truly has my interests at heart. That I understand now, is a rare breed in the New York metro area. Sigh.