La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
We took the train up to Córdoba Thursday. Forty minutes on the commuter train from Fuengirola to Málaga’s María Zambrano Station. Then 49 minutes on the high-speed train from Málaga to Córdoba. We saw four apartments.
At 2 p.m. we saw a grand apartment on a lively boulevard with a pedestrian mall running through the centre. Fun neighborhood with lots of shopping and anything else we would need within a few minutes walk. Mango Man was in the space on the ground floor of the building. I’d be in heaven. The building was elegant inside with large light wells displaying lush gardens, elegant lobby seating, and a concierge. The apartment was as grand as the lobby, with enormous, dark, ornate furniture that the owner would be willing to remove if we wanted (we would). A fun layout with high ceilings, over-the-top chandeliers that would fit our eclectic tastes. Lots of windows, although mostly from courtyards facing directly into other apartments. Lots of natural light if you didn’t mind exposing yourself to the neighbors. A balcony overlooking the boulevard. Large living area, small bedrooms, and a tiny, old, outdated kitchen with little storage space. A possibility, but probably not. We went for lunch and then, while San Geraldo took a break, I wandered all over town.
At 6 p.m. we met another agent and saw a very cool apartment. Completely redone, contemporary, classy, a charming view from the living area and balcony of trees and old buildings on a small street. The kitchen was amazing and large and it was the centre of everything. The door opened almost directly into it. The living area was small, the bedrooms were small. However there were two full baths, one 3/4 bath (with a shower), plus a powder room. Too bad about the other spaces. We decided it was a “not likely.”
At 6:30, we met the third realtor, Carmen. She had found another apartment while we rode the train, so she scheduled that and we would then go on to the apartment I had contacted her about. Three people met us (they did not greet us), an older man and woman (the owners, it turned out), and another woman (their agent) in the tiny entry. No introductions. But they were like a line of guards. At a glance, the apartment was small and uninteresting. I stepped to the right into the living area and noticed an ugly contemporary sofa and coffee table. I immediately asked if the apartment would be unfurnished. All three “guards” immediately said “No!” After a glance in one bedroom, it was clear “furnished” meant three beds, sofa, coffee table, and whatever was left in the kitchen. And they couldn’t be assed to remove any of it. San Geraldo, meanwhile, had begun to look into the master bathroom when the man quickly reached in front of him and pulled the door closed in his face. That was enough of that.
The final apartment was one we both had taken a serious liking to online. It was on the 7th floor of a contemporary brick building. Not much on the outside, but completely redone inside. That apartment was better than its photos. We walked into a large formal entry. Very nice start. The bedrooms were a good size. There was a great laundry room (with a cat flap in the door!!!). Fun kitchen (although the oven isn’t big enough to contain one of SG’s turkeys). Lots of natural light. And when Carmen uncovered the balcony doors, the light and view were incredible, looking north across a large park and the rest of the city ending in the mountains. Uplifting. The master bedroom had the same view. We both agreed it was our favorite of the day. When we got home, I texted Carmen and told her we’d take it. San Geraldo is pulling his hair out getting together documents Carmen needs, so is not currently enjoying himself. I have no hair to pull out, so I’m so excited I can hardly contain myself.
I told Moose this morning but I don’t think he understood what I was saying. He continued purring.
Cogimos el tren hasta Córdoba el jueves. Cuarenta minutos en el tren de cercanías desde Fuengirola hasta la estación María Zambrano de Málaga. Luego 49 minutos en el tren de alta velocidad de Málaga a Córdoba. Vimos cuatro apartamentos.
A las 14:00 vimos un gran piso en un animado bulevar con un centro comercial peatonal que atraviesa el centro. Un barrio divertido con muchas tiendas y todo lo que necesitáramos a pocos minutos a pie. Mango Man estaba en el espacio de la planta baja del edificio. Estaría en el paraíso. El edificio era elegante por dentro con grandes patios de luces que mostraban exuberantes jardines, elegantes asientos en el vestíbulo y un conserje. El apartamento era tan grandioso como el vestíbulo, con enormes muebles oscuros y ornamentados que el propietario estaría dispuesto a quitar si quisiéramos (lo haríamos). Un diseño divertido con techos altos, candelabros exagerados que encajarían con nuestros gustos eclécticos. Muchas ventanas, aunque la mayoría de ellas daban a patios que daban directamente a otros apartamentos. Mucha luz natural si no te importaba exponerte a los vecinos. Un balcón con vista al bulevar. Una sala de estar grande, dormitorios pequeños y una cocina pequeña, vieja y anticuada con poco espacio de almacenamiento. Una posibilidad, pero probablemente no. Fuimos a almorzar y luego, mientras San Geraldo se tomaba un descanso, caminé por toda la ciudad.
A las 18:00 conocimos a otra agent y vimos un piso muy genial. Completamente renovado, contemporáneo, elegante, una vista encantadora desde la sala de estar y el balcón de árboles y edificios antiguos en una calle pequeña. La cocina era increíble y grande y era el centro de todo. La puerta se abría casi directamente a ella. La sala de estar era pequeña, los dormitorios eran pequeños. Sin embargo, había dos baños completos, un baño de 3/4 (con ducha), más un tocador. Lástima por los otros espacios. Decidimos que era un “poco probable”.
A las 18:30, conocimos al tercer agente inmobiliario, Carmen. Ella había encontrado otro piso mientras viajábamos en tren, así que lo programó y luego iríamos al apartamento por el que la había contactado. Tres personas nos recibieron (no nos saludaron), un hombre y una mujer mayores (resultó que los dueños) y otra mujer (su agente) en la pequeña entrada. Sin presentaciones. Pero eran como una fila de guardias. A primera vista, el apartamento era pequeño y poco interesante. Di un paso hacia la derecha en la sala de estar y vi un sofá moderno feo y una mesa de centro. Inmediatamente pregunté para confirmar que el piso estaría sin muebles. Los tres “guardias” dijeron inmediatamente “¡No!” Después de echar un vistazo a un dormitorio, estaba claro que “amueblado” significaba tres camas, sofá, mesa de centro y lo que quedara en la cocina. Y no se molestaron en quitar nada de eso. San Geraldo, mientras tanto, había comenzado a mirar el baño principal cuando el hombre rápidamente se puso frente a él y cerró la puerta en su cara. Eso fue suficiente.
El último apartamento era uno que a los dos nos había gustado mucho en línea. Estaba en el séptimo piso de un edificio de ladrillo contemporáneo. No había mucho en el exterior, pero estaba completamente renovado por dentro. Ese apartamento era mejor que en las fotos. Entramos en una gran entrada formal. Un comienzo muy agradable. Los dormitorios eran de buen tamaño. Había un hermoso lavadero (¡con una puertita para gatos en la puerta!). Una cocina divertida (aunque el horno no es lo suficientemente grande como para contener uno de los pavos de SG). Mucha luz natural. Y cuando Carmen descubrió las puertas del balcón, la luz y la vista eran increíbles. Mirando hacia el norte a través de un gran parque y el resto de la ciudad que termina en las montañas. Edificante. El dormitorio principal tenía la misma vista. Ambos estuvimos de acuerdo en que era nuestra favorita del día. Cuando llegamos a casa, le envié un mensaje a Carmen y le dije que lo tomaríamos. San Geraldo se está arrancando los pelos juntando los documentos que necesita Carmen, por lo que actualmente no lo está disfrutando. No tengo pelos que arrancar, así que estoy tan emocionada que apenas puedo contenerme.
Se lo dije a Moose esta mañana, pero no creo que haya entendido lo que le estaba diciendo. Siguió ronroneando.
• Estación María Zambrano, Málaga. O como la llama San Geraldo, María Zambránova. O como lo llama Tynan, M. Zeebrugge.
• Bulevar que alberga nuestra primera visita.
• San Geraldo enjoying a coffee and the view before our first viewing.
• San Geraldo disfrutando de un café y de la vista antes de nuestro primer recorrido.
• Los troncos de estos árboles eran tan lisos y blancos que parecían pintados.
• Un hermoso parque a la entrada de la calle para nuestra segunda visita.
• Otro paseo por otro parque.
• Facultad de Veterinaria de la Universidad de Córdoba.
• Pensé que este era el lugar donde íbamos a estar para la segunda visita y no me impresionó. Resultó estar al otro extremo de la calle a la derecha, cerca del parque, y con mucho encanto.
• Palacio de la Merced del siglo XVIII. Hoy sede del Gobierno Provincial de Córdoba. A 2 minutos a pie de nuestro nuevo hogar.
• Tres minutos. La Cordobesa del escultor José Manuel Belmonte Cortés, 2003. Plaza de Colón.
• De vuelta en María Zambrano y demasiado cansados para subir al tren de Cercanías a casa.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
Exciting.
A new place to explore. Looks like you’ll have lots of places to take walks. Best of luck with the details.
Mary
Mary:
Thanks so much. The fun is about to begin.
Oh, my heavens, Mitchell. Now I am SO SO SO excited to eventually see your new place! You know how I am about houses (and hotels and apartments, if they’re in Europe! Ha!).
Judy C:
Can’t wait to share OUR photos of the place, empty and then filled with our stuff. And the view which surprised us both.
Fabulous news, and sounds like a wonderful spot. I can’t wait to see it, and hear of your travels around Cordoba.
The Boys will love a new spot to explore.
As will you boys!
Bob^^^
Bob:
Getting the boys there will not be a joy but watching them explore will be.
My. my – how exciting! We were charmed by Cordoba when we visited a few years ago. Admittedly, we were only there for one day so our time was spent in the historical centre (the Gardens, Mezquita and the lovely old Courtyards (Patios) in the maze of little streets thereabouts), but I still have many fond memories.
Hope it all goes to plan… Jx
Wow! That seems quick – and to find one you like in the first 4 viewings is great. Is that typical of Spain? Olivia
Olivia:
It may not be typical of Spain, but it’s typical of us. We’ve done this so many times, we have it down to a science.
Jon:
We love the city so are very excited to make it home.
That was fast! Sounds like you have truly found your new home. I am so excited for you and so excited to see pictures. Don’t jinx it though!
Moonsigh
Ms. Moonsigh:
We are always quick when it comes to moving.
Boud here, amazed at how fast you found a place. Very happy for you both. Now to see how the real decision makers settle into their new treat supply store.
Boud:
We could do this (move) for a living. The cats… woe is us. But they’ll love the space.
How wonderful and exciting. Can’t wait to visit.
David:
A new place to explore!
Wow! I hope you get the apartment! I’m looking forward to seeing more of Cordoba, a place I never got to visit on my past trips to Spain. (I may come and see you! 🙂 )
My only concern moving inland would be the temperature. Won’t it be much hotter in the summer?
Steve Reed:
It’s an amazing city. I’m so excited to have new places to explore. And, yes, it’s hot. Said by some to be the hottest city in Europe. But Sevilla is right there with it. We lived in Sevilla and the heat wasn’t a problem. We’ve also lived in Palm Springs and in Las Vegas. We’ll cope. At least Cordoba’s heat doesn’t come with high humidity. And we would love to see you there!!!
OK, somehow I managed to erase my comment. I said I hope the apartment works out and I’m looking forward to exploring Cordoba through your blog! It’s one of the places I’ve never managed to visit on my trips to Spain. I may come and see you!
My only concern moving inland would be the temperature. Won’t it be much hotter than the coast in the summer?
Sounds like you found a real winner, congrats! I’m excited for you!
Debra:
It was a surprise. Better than the photos, which is usually not the case.
I’m looking forward to seeing photos of your new home and neighbourhood — how about some “before and after” move-in interior shots? Finding a nice apartment with a great laundry and cat flap sounds tailor-made for you, SG and the boys!
Tundra Bunny:
I look forward to having photos to share. The ones online are awful so I don’t want to pass them around. Definitely before and after shots will come. Yeah, the cat flap was the clincher.
Congratulations on finding a place so quickly. Hope the two of you, and the cats, will be happy there. Your description of the first apartment building made me think of the building managed by Mrs. Madrigal (Tales of the City). I’m guessing the rude old people, at the third place you visited, were expressing disapproval of your being a same sex couple. To hell with ’em.
Shirley:
Nothing like Barbary Lane, but still fun. The threesome were weird and, yes, I did wonder if they were also homophobes.
Goodness I am so far out of the loop. Glad to be catching up with news !
cheers
Parsnip:
Yep, a lot going on.
Not sure what your places looks like but from the sounds of it I’d be in love with the first place….as I adore…adore chandeliers! But it sounds like it was going to come down between the first and last place. But no doubt the town looks very charming. I dare even say I like the looks of it more so even then where you are now…and that says a lot considering you have the sea where you are now. I look forward to seeing post about the new area. Your close friends will be bummed I bet.
Mistress Borghese:
I’m sad to have to part with those chandeliers. Incredible. What we have here is a spectacular location on the Mediterranean Sea. But Fuengirola is a tourist town. Córdoba is a major city with so much history and beauty. You would love it there.
From the two building you already showed us, I love the architecture there. Reminds me a lot of my trip and the architecture of Buenos Aires.
Mistress Borhese:
You would definitely love Córdoba. Stunning architecture, art, history, gardens, fountains, sculptures. I’m trying to calm myself down.
Cat flap? You’ve GOT to take it!
Kirk:
That’s exactly what I thought!
The final apartment sounds perfect…can’t wait to see the view.
You mentioned a ” powder room”…..what exactly does that contain? Is it just a basin and toilet?
Anon:
Yes, a powder room has just a toilet and sink (also known as a half bath). We called a room with shower, toilet, and sink, a 3/4 bath. And tub, toilet, and sink (and possibly also a shower and bidet) a full-bath.
Congratulations! I look forward to photos. I hope the boys like it as much as y’all do.
Kelly:
They’ll miss the big terrace, but I think they’ll enjoy the new place.
Happy for you that you did find something to your liking. Cordoba is a lovely city, all the best to you both.
Laurent:
Another exciting adventure.
Congratulations! I will have to look up Córdoba online!
Michael:
It’s a beautiful, historic, and fascinating city.
Moving again? I guess you have to keep your Blog title relevant. Leon and I just talked about moving and I had anxiety.
Frank:
I do still love the idea of moving. And, yes, I’ve been thinking recently that having stayed put for 11 years doesn’t keep with the title of my blog.
Okay! We’re moving to Córdoba! Looks like a nice city. I guess it doesn’t matter since you aren’t moving into the first place, but I couldn’t figure out what Mango Man is. Ice cream? Candy? Something else not good for you but delicious? Congratulations on finding a great place.
Love,
Janie
janiejunebug:
Mango is a Spanish clothing line with their own shops. They usually have separate shops for men and women. I love their clothes. This place is a 10-minute walk to Mango!
How exciting. Can’t wait to hear more about it and see pics!
Sassybear:
We get the keys in 9 days!!!