So Much to Do.....Where do we Begin?

Lets face it. We have done no research into Brighton, how to find jobs in the UK or even how you go about getting a flat. To be honest, the entire backpacking trip it was the furthest thing from our minds. We will figure it out... later.

So, important things first. Find Job. Find Flat. Well....it cant be that hard. Has to be similar to Canada......right?

Nah, of course not. That makes life to easy.

The first day, we asked the receptionist where the city centre is. Queens way, perfect...we know where that is. Were half way there. 21 resumes later and aching feet...we waited for a call. We all mostly went to coffee shops, pubs and resturants, and a few retail. That night all three of us got calls for trial runs. Chrisitie at the Black Loin and Body Shop, Stef at Pho and me at Font.

What does a trial run mean? We would soon find out.

With trial runs set for later in the week. (And jobs we assumed...so naive.) We decided to focus on flats.

Gumtree. The craigs list of the UK. Perfect....we found some places and made a few calls. We got one call to view a flat. 980 a month, two bedrooms, and 2 min walk from the English Channel. Brillant.

We go to meet Sarah who was doing this sale privatly. The place is just off of Kings way, so we didnt have any problem finding it. Once inside, we knew we HAD to get this place. It is beautiful and spacious. Comes with two couches, coffee table, tv stand, night stand, dishwasher, laundry, drawers and two closets. It far surpasses what we thought we would live in.

Sarah, who is a sweetheart....sits us down to have a chat.

Sarah: So do you girls have work?

Us: Not excatly, but we have trial runs....we just got here a couple of days ago

Sarah: O...do you have a contract with them? How do you plan to make an income?

This is the point we knew we would really have to sell ourselves to her to get the place. We explained that we have worked really hard to get her, we have reserve funds from Canada, we love the place and would treat it with the upmost respect. She tells us, if we would be willing to pay the deposit and 6 months upfront....it might work. We agree.....although to be honest we didnt know if we had the funds. She told us there was more people looking at the place and she would let us know.

Off to HSBC to figure out how to get the funds together. I wont even get into the HSBC drama. I hate HSBC. I cant wait to move banks....remeber our HSBC experience in London? It was similar to that.

With the knowledge we could get the funds together......and when I say get the funds together....I mean BARELY. We waited for the call. Sarah calls just after three and announces shes going to give us the place! We asked her about the other people and she remarked " They were ok, but you girls were so much nicer!" Go Canada!

The next day we signed the contracts, did a walk threw of the apartment, handed over 7105 pounds and got the keys. We now have a home. And no money. So this is what broke and unemployed feels like.

Moving was pretty easy. We unpacked our backpacks. Took up one drawer and 5 hangers. Dont have alot of stuff to fill just yet. But we found a poundland, (dollar store...holla!) so we have the basics.

Spending that first night together, huddled on the couches, (we dont have mattresses yet) and not having to stay in a hostel....was the best feeling. This is ours.