Ningbo 'loft life' has been pretty sweet, I've had a zero commute to my preschool with no tardiness present! Housing arrangements in Wuhan and Beijing brought the drama, I wanted to leave no door closed in Ningbo! Independent life after the Pandemic has been golden, my apartment in Yinzhou District has served me well, giving me space! The shade presented itself!
House hunting in Ningbo was trash, those landlords wanted their money but refused to make any modifications to those less than pretty apartments! I had seen several flats but none of them came through for me, I wasn't impressed and to be honest I just wanted to throw my case down! My Ningbo HR manager made a few calls to local agents about the twin building complex that overlooked my Ningbo preschool. Would those last minute connections make any difference? Within about 30 minutes I was taken to the tenth floor and a little lower to see two loft apartments, both needing a damn good clean, I was impressed by the newer furnishings of the first apartment. I had made my mind up, it was for me, I was able to be see my preschool from my building and have a zero distance commute! Settling in? I had a matter of hours to throw down some bedding on the bed and some plates in the cupboard! Home sweet home? '承睿大夏/Cheng Rui Mansion' became my safe space, it would be my first proper base in China! Quality?
Yes, I wasn't mad with the quality of that Ningbo apartment and the building it was housed in. Truthfully, I felt like I was finally adulting with a real quality apartment, it was a long time coming! Other than my preschool, I knew that I could walk to the local '万达广场' shopping complex with a 'Wal-Mart' available. I did venture down to 'DemoHood' but after that first visit I truly entered by 'hermit era!' I wasn't mad, I found myself retreating but that wasn't a bad thing. No, I couldn't imagine myself living in another building as long as I remained in Ningbo. Plans have been made to move on, a timeline had been implemented, three years and a bit will making this building my longest residence since I lived at the Maltings in Birmingham! A massive construction project was going on in front of the building, would that impact my living? I didn't want another '光谷广场/Optics Valley Square' construction nightmare! No, the living spaces were on the back of the building, no noise permeated during those small hours. Oh, my loft life!
I had been out of the teaching game for three long years, I had to deal with a lot of change once I had returned to China in February 2023! Having a home that I could recharge and reset in was crucial, in my previous days living in China, I would be out all weekend during the day exploring but not in Ningbo. I found myself making the most of my rent money, I had my first grown up apartment and didn't want to miss out on a single penny. I found that this apartment vibe was right for me, for the time being anyway, I recalibrated after a berserk week of K3 during my second rodeo from 2023 through to 2024! The living room was enough for me, I was set up with appliances from my Beijing stash of belongings, those had been in storage for three long years. I made a house a home, I bought a shelf for my microwave and I even invested in a counter-top oven. I must admit the sofa in the second apartment could do with being thrown out of the window, although if I am real, it suffices for now. 丞睿大夏 felt like a home, I was able to restart!
I have been throwing down some meals in the smallest kitchen known to man, woman and non-binary folk! As those school dinners haven't impressed me or my stomach, I have been able to pre-cook for my life, it has all been about choosing my battles with those 'work surface' shy fittings. Juices, soups and one pot meals have been made, I have become less reliant on takeaways because I am comfortable cooking, I have been able to adapt local ingredients during those international cooking sessions. Moving apartments in less than 7 hours before my Hangzhou Airport pick up wasn't in my 2024 summer holiday plans, the first place in 丞睿大夏 had been sold from under my feet! Making those moves happen, I secured a new place five floors below my first place in the building, life makes us stronger! This building has been a little quiet regarding amenities but that Halal noodle shop has come through big time, I eat there most evenings! Changing codes? I had a sour encounter during 2024, it was not good! Choices!
The coastal location Ningbo boasts can make or break the weather, I am sick of the bi-polar nature during those seasonal changes! Yes, this weather does just enough when the sunshines, my balcony is the place to be! I had never had any outdoor space of my own in Wuhan or Beijing, the magic third city afforded me a balcony of mine own to sip drinks and sun tan during those balmy days! Those summer nights were equally as hot, being able to sip on something nice whilst watching 'Drag Race' was the tonic for me! Mind you, my balcony is the size of a postage stamp, has that ever stopped me from getting out there with some music on a nice day? Never! I know that in Hangzhou, I must have a balcony of my own and I'd love it to be bigger! How did I ever live without a balcony to cooldown in the summer and dry clothes in other times? I was out in those streets! Get me another chilled 'Savanna' or mixed drink because my final summer on this 丞睿大夏 balcony is coming! The view of my preschool is a funny one, cheers to us? Alright.
Aside from the balcony, the muted location has been golden, amenities are all walking distance and that has been something to adjust to. I could've been more active during the early days with shopping from Wal-Mart but newer APPs like 叮咚 have seen me relying on them badly! It is all about balance because I do sometimes lug back a bag of shopping but free delivery is too alluring! This building and position in 鄞州区 has been my reset, I have been able to step in and step back out of the convenience. Choosing home over other Ningbo sites, I really valued returning to this building after international trips away from China. I have been able to appreciate this building even though having my bathroom and bedroom on one level would be preferred for the next address. I am taking notes, this building has been better than previous, I count blessings for that progress. The last three and a bit years have been a comfortable one, I knew 丞睿大夏 found me, it will be my lasting reference of what a 'base' can be. A £20 discount?
丞睿大夏... Stay Golden!
Desperately Seeking Adventure
