Our search for a new home

Our house rental lease expires this month end.We have been very very busy house hunting. And what an experience has it been over the past three weekends. All range of emotions from fun to frustration.We finally found one yesterday. Pretty much similar to what we desired to seek when we started.This was an experience in more ways than we could anticipate.After the birth of the little one, these happened to be our main outings. (stretches of over six hours on road). We had a new dimension to our planning. We had to find baby friendly places to care for Ananya.We also got to see many parts of london where would normally not visit. Some of them were real good and that kept us going!Ananya enjoyed these sights as well. We have now lifted her buggy back rest so that she can now get a better view. So she kinda sits in the
buggy as against lying on the buggy, though We try not to keep her sitting for long. Her neck/head is pretty stable and she moves her head without us having to support it.
We got our house yesterday and will be moving in end of this month.
London officially is now the costliest city in the world!
London has a lot of "victorian" houses, some of which are very old. WE wanted to stay in a modern apartment complex ( not that we could really
afford the high rentals, but because of the following reasons)1. Wanted an open kitchen plan adjoining a reasonably big hall. Lalitha can keep an eye on Ananya even when cooking.2. Wanted the rooms to be reasonably bigger than current one.3. Did not want too much furniture. Wanted to have as much open space as we could afford to give the baby freedom to move without banging
herself.4. We got a carpeted house ( mixed feelings). I would have preferred a wooden floor easier cleaning. But Ananya hits her legs so hard on the floor in a cycling action that we are afraid they might hurt her tender legs. We thought we would keep her in thick socks/ boots to prevent her
getting hurt.But didnt seem workable always. A carpet can cushion some of that shock. so we went for that.Now, we have to start packing slowly. and unpacking once we reach there. Such a boring task.
We have a nice big communal garden by our new apartment. While the sun lasts, we can use it to good benefit. But winters are harsh and long here.