Little Red Riding Hood's Adventures in Rental Cottage Land

I’m searching for an apartment, after more than a decade in a house, in Toronto's currently hot downtown rental market. What an eye opener.

I’ve seen places where even the roaches got disgusted and were moving out…for four figures a month.
Others where I got claustrophobia before I'd even stepped in….for four figures a month.
Some where an obviously colour-blind or tasteless person did the painting and tiling *shudder*.
One where there will shortly be a 35-story condo construction site next door (blocking the whole balcony) for more than a year...for four figures a month. Sure, I want to pay four figures for dust and noise for more than a year, as well as blocked airflow and view, sign me up.

I love the ones that say "air conditioning available"...and you find that they've chopped a hole in the wall and stuck in a window air conditioner. That is not air conditioning, that's a waste of electricity.

Hey, when did concrete become a décor item? I’ve seen more unfinished concrete walls lately.…I’m told they’re “trendy”. Ya, and cheap to build, too. No drywall, no paint. You try to hang a picture on a concrete wall, good luck unless you have a power drill and a concrete bit. I wonder whether the concrete has been properly cured, or whether it will give off some luverly fumes for a while.

I know, I’m picky, but if I’m spending so much of my disposable income on my home, I’m entitled to be picky.

Onwards and.....onwards.