House Hunters International - Yerevan Style

Can these Yerevan short-timers from a quiet New England community find a place to live in Yerevan?

That was the challenge Denise Johnson and Rilla Murray brought to us at HHI. Here for professional reasons for ten weeks, they were looking for alternatives to a hotel room but had a long list of requirements that made the search challenging, especially on their budget. Their "wish list" was long:

• fully-furnished down to the linens
  
• two bedrooms and two baths and lots of light
  
• a building with a lift
  
• a quiet neighborhood (here is the evidence they are newbies to Yerevan) but an easy walk to key points of interest
  
• air-conditioning
  
• wireless internet
  

The only thing they didn't ask for was a parking space (whew).

Before we even started,  they ruled out a lovely apartment based on a walk by of the street address on Mashtots Avenue. Just too noisy for them. 

Intriguing marble staircase leads to open air patio.

Property 1: Newly remodeled two-bedroom, two bath apartment within their budget with surprising features, such as a marble staircase to a large rooftop patio and an accessible shower with a drain in the middle of the bathroom floor. 

DJ gives a signal of her opinion of Property #1.

The old garden shed style entrance door and 65 steps up to the apartment offer a chance to be creative with grocery shopping. If they keep the bedroom doors open, light from the bedroom windows can be shared with the large, otherwise windowless living and dining area. The current view from the outdoor patio is construction on all three sides but that will change as soon as the projects are completed. The full bath right next to the front door means an easy exit for work as soon as grooming is complete. Wireless in the building but not in the apartment; could be added.

Reception room in Property 2 could be a party venue!

Property 2: Large 3-bedroom, 1.5 bath traditional-style (huge

Dishwasher may sweeten this deal!

glass chandelier) apartment with entry hall, two dining areas, fully equipped kitchen, including both a stove with an oven and a dishwasher, and living room that could be used by the US Embassy for official receptions, or as a sports bar, given the size of the TV. In other words, a total party house! Tucked behind other buildings  next to a music school, the building lacks a lift but this sunny apartment is on the second floor--a mere 30 steps--and has huge windows on both sides. Bonus: it is located only a short walk from the office of one of the clients. Landlord agreed to install internet access, BUT he wants $100 more per month than their budget.

Entry to Property #3may be a drawback.

Property 3: Up-to-the minute remodeled two-bedroom, two full bath (one en suite), within the budget, has a bright open style great room and kitchen area with lots of work space and biggest refrigerator in Yerevan. Location on 3rd floor above Military Police Headquarters means added security and by keeping balcony door shut tight noise from the very busy Sayak Nova Avenue is limited. 

Possible drawbacks are total darkness in entry hall and lift that is very likely in need of repairs (and also requires ride to 4th floor and a walk down to third). 



Property 4: Overlooking Swan Lake on the Opera Square, this slightly smaller property offers very modern furnishings in an upscale neighborhood within the budget. The full bath and laundry is conveniently located (for hanging laundry) across the apartment from the bedrooms, overlooking the back parking lot, which is where the entry is. 

The third floor location means steps, but fewer than in Property 1; the pile of cement in the hall on the second floor will be cleaned up as soon as new floors are finished in a nearby apartment. Open living and dining area lack direct light but wireless is in place through cable. By keeping the bedroom doors to the balconies closed, the traffic noise can be minimized.

 

Which property will they choose?

Our new-to-Yerevan clients ruled out Property 1 (65 steps and garden shed entrance killed it) and Property 4 (that pile of cement did not help and they could not imagine walking the width of the apartment to use the bathroom at 3:00 a.m.).

Now they have to do some thinking--will they go for the bright modern kitchen over the Military Police Headquarters despite the unlighted entrance and claustrophobic elevator? 

Or will they stretch their budget and go for the big three bedroom with lots of light and a dishwasher that is only five minutes' walk from the office?

Watch for our next episode to find out! (And apologies to HGTV).