Signed the contract - we'll pick the keys up this Friday! So fucking thrilled that this is working out. There's this rule of thumb that one should try not to spend more than a third of one's net income on rent and utilities. If my predictions are correct, I'll probably end up just under or around that. And I'll be living in the city I want to live, in a near-perfect home, with my best friend, with a shopping mall in walking distance and a commute of just over 40 minutes to a job that makes me happy. Someone pinch me. :) It is a bit sour that all the effort and stress in finding a guarantor was worthless - the owner of the building is also fine with two months' rent as a security. On the bright side: it means our guarantor friend doesn't have to sign anything, which is great. Now there's a whole list of things to buy, to rent and to sign. New coach, vacuum cleaner, printer, insurance, office chair for working at home (Aeronnnn yiss), maybe get myself a center speaker for movies. And then there's the move itself, which is not as easy time-wise as when I was a student. I'm glad I have a decent task manager...