My impending move to Austin has me a little nervous about my ability to find an apartment. I have, thus, turned to the internet to look at places ahead of time. Rent.com sends me spam. Apartments.com has archaic quotes for rent (one place had rents listed $200 below their current rates). Property management companies' web sites would have me believe I will be living on an oasis near every interesting hangout and happening in the Austin area with washer/dryer included for a mere $475/month.
Craigslist.org has dozens of insane people looking to do one of two things: a) sell me their product/web site/house or b) make me their roommate. The responses inspired enough roaring laughter and incredulity among my friends and family that I thought them worthy to share with you. Names/e-mail addresses have been removed in order to protect the mentally impaired.
<***********@hotmail.com>
to northaustinapts@gmail.com
date Fri, Jul 3, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Hello,
We will have an opening in our house soon. There are a good mix of people living here. We are all into bicycles, I ride a 12 mile commute daily. We are 420 friendly, but it is not a main part of out day.
The house is just a mile or so from campus and has a couple of guys and a couple of girls. actually 4 guys and 2 girls. 3 people live in the house and the rest stay in tents in our nice little back yard that has a fire pit, rope ladder, and ping pong table. People have joked before that our backyard looks like a photo from an REI catalog.
The opening is in the second biggest room in the house and rent is around $300- $400 depending on how many tenters are here. Bills usually run $30-40. There is a house computer with internet, and high speed connection for the room.
We were wondering when you were wanting to move in somewhere, and if this living situation would be good for you. Everyone at the house is laid back and although we party sometimes, the house is generally quiet. We are into making kombucha, yogurt, people sew here, most everyone plays piano, and we have one (1) small cat named Bones. I personally am allergic to most cats but this one doesn't seem to bother me. I really prefer dogs, but am at a point in my life where I will most likely be moving and traveling quite a bit in the next few years so... no dog.
If this sounds interesting to you we can set up a meeting.
Cheers,
M***
p.s. The house is having some changes as a couple of people are moving (hence the room).]
Maybe they keep the cost of bills down by having community showers with the garden hose in the backyard?
definition of kombucha from dictionary.com: (kŏm'bōō'chä')
n. A lightly sparkling beverage made by fermenting black or green tea and sugar a culture of various bacteria and yeasts.
from <**************@gmail.com>
to northaustinapts@gmail.com
date Fri, Jul 3, 2009 at 11:26 AM
subject Re: Apartment Needed for End of August
mailed-by gmail.com
let he have you number I have something I think you would be intrested in.
This was all the e-mail said. He/she didn't tell me anything about who they are, what/where this place is, or their contact information, yet I'm supposed to deliver my phone number?
<***************@gmail.com>
to northaustinapts@gmail.com
date Fri, Jul 3, 2009 at 7:54 AM
subject regarding your ad on craigslist
mailed-by gmail.com
signed-by gmail.com
Greetings,
I happened to realize that your looking for a tennancy via craigs list. I realised I may as well shoot you an email when I had the idea, since I have been up to a great amount of of toing and froing over the past few months, [about 5] pack ups, and have attempted going for a place on craigs list with not even any result. I recommend you have a look at this site http://***********.**********.com
Another guy actually recommended the site, when I had no success on craigs list and 3 other sites, so now im doing the kind deed : D The company have absolutely helped me the last 3 occassions when I have been finding a new place, and have an excellent amount to choose from, if you simply copy the site's steps.
Really hope it helps at least,
*****
This was clearly a scam, or at least someone trying to sell a web site. What struck me about it was its grammatically awkward writing.
There were a few others from people wanting me to work for their oil companies for free housing or wanting me to pay to live in their homes while they were apparently in Nigeria. The catch? They also wanted me to fill out every single detail about myself and my life over the past few years in good faith.
Here's one guy who wants me to be his "payment representative" and stay at his place while he is in London. I get the distinct impression there would be drugs involved:
********* *******
<*********@gmail.com>reply-to*********@gmail.com
to northaustinapts@gmail.com
date Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 3:35 PM
subject APARTMENT IN AUSTIN
mailed-by gmail.com
Hello,
I reside and owned a two bedroom apartment in Austin but i am presently in London with my family on an official trip. Am using this opportunity to inform you that i have a vacant furnished two bedroom apartment with all amenities including internet facility.Am looking for someone that can take care of the apartment on my behalf without paying any rental fee but who will in turn serve as my payment representative in Austin because i majorly deals in art work which i am presently in London on an official trip to exhibit some of my art works for my clients in London.You can contact me if you are interested in this offer in other for me to send you the apartment information as well as the job description.
Sweet! Just what I always wanted - to a) be a drug dealer, b) give all of my personal and financial information to someone I don't know who resides in Nigeria but has internet access, c) be a hippie living in a commune, or d) give out my phone number to creepy dudes on the internet.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
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