Cultural notes

Many Americans live in apartment buildings, especially young adults and people whose income is either low or fixed. Generally speaking, it is less expensive to rent an apartment than to own a house. Advantages include the fact that your are not responsible for upkeep of the apartment, the building, or the grounds. Disadvantages are that you have little control over increases in your rent and that you are not building up any equity in your property.

When renting you will probably be asked to sign a lease, which is a sort of contract obligating you to pay rent for a fixed period of time (normally a year). You will also be asked to pay two month's rent at the outset or some form of security deposit in case of damage to the apartment.

Action

YOU: Hello, I'm calling about an apartment. I'd like to rent a furnished, two-bedroom place.

1ST APT. MANAGER: We have one furnished apartment left. It's air conditioned and rents for $575 per month.

YOU: Are the utilities included?

1ST APT. MANAGER: The water is, but not the gas and electricity.

YOU: That's a little more than I wanted to pay. Thanks anyway.

NARRATOR: You hang up and call another apartment complex.

2ND. APT. MANAGER: Hello, Breezeway Manor Apartments, how may I help you?

YOU: Do you have a furnished, two-bedroom apartment in the $400 range?

2ND. APT. MANAGER: Why yes, you're in luck. One just came open today. It goes for $450 per month, including water.

YOU: Is it on the first or second floor?

2ND APT. MANAGER: The first floor. It's very close to our swimming pool. Shall I hold it for you? I'll need one month's rent as a deposit as soon as possible.

YOU: Yes, please do. I'll be right over.

Lesson 12 «Moving in»

Vocabulary

although (conj.)

armchairs (noun, pl.)

bath (noun)

"Bath" is used in this chapter in the sense of "bathroom," not in the sense of "someone taking a bath." Public bathrooms may be called "washrooms," "restrooms," the "women's room" (which some women call the "powder room"), and the "men's room."

bathroom (noun)

bedrooms (noun, pl.)

car (noun)

Other words for "car" include "auto," "automobile," and "wheels" (slang). Many people drive small "pickup trucks" and "minivans" instead of traditional "sedans." Still others travel by "motorcycle."

carpeting (noun)

"Carpeting" generally refers to "wall-to-wall" carpeting and is quite common in apartment complexes in the U.S. Other floor surfaces include "tile," "vinyl flooring," and "wood flooring." Many people decorate with "throw rugs" and "area rugs" such as "Persian rugs" on wood floors.

connected (adj.)

contains, it (to contain)

dining room (noun)

New apartments and homes may have an "adjoining dining room," meaning that their "kitchen" and "dining room" are connected. More traditional homes have a separate dining area. Some older homes have a small room or corner in the kitchen with a small table known as a "breakfast nook" or "dinette."

dishwasher (noun)

down (adv.)

facing (pres. part.)

The expression "facing the pool" is a participial phrase. "Facing" is the present participle of the verb "to face." Another way to say this is "which faces the pool." "To face" something is to be directly across from it.

food (noun)

garbage disposal (noun)

go back (inf. to go back)

A synonym of "to go back" is "to return."

grocery (noun as adj.)

half (adj.)

In "half bath." A "half bath" is much smaller than a full bathroom. It has a "sink" and "commode" (or "toilet") but does not have a "shower stall" or "bath tub."

kitchen (noun)

A very small kitchen is known as a "kitchenette."

lease (noun)

A "lease" is a legal contract which you must sign when renting an apartment. A lease must clearly list the period of time the apartment is to be rented, the price (usually "per month") and other terms (such as "parking," "pet allowance," "deposits," etc.).

living room (noun)

A "living room" is sometimes referred to as the "family room" or "den." In some regions of the U.S., people still speak of their "parlors" or "sitting rooms" (meaning "living room"), even though the word "parlor" is considered "old-fashioned."

nearby (adv.)

north (adv.)

off (adv.)

premises (noun, pl.)

refrigerator (noun)

Some people refer to their "refrigerator" as the "fridge" or "Frigidaire." "Ice box" is sometimes heard, but is an anachronism ("out of date"). A house may contain a refrigerator with a smaller "freezer," or a large chest (also known as a "freezer") whose purpose is to keep food frozen.

side (noun)

sink (noun)

sofa (noun)

There are many types of "sofas" from which to choose in the U.S. One may buy a traditional sofa (also known as "couch" or "davenport"), the smaller, two-person "love seat," or the amazing "sleeper sofa," which is a sofa by day and a "bed" by night. Still others prefer to buy a "futon-style sofa" which can also serve as a bed.

storage (noun)

store (noun)

stove (noun)

A "stove" is another word for "range" which allows you to cook either on the stove-top "burners" or in the "oven." Stoves and ranges are either "gas" or "electric." Some even have "built-in microwave ovens."

street (noun)

A common abbreviation for "Street" is "ST" (or "St."). Similar abbreviations include "AV" (or "Ave.") for "Avenue," "BLVD" (or "Blvd.") for "Boulevard," "LN" (or "Ln.") for "Lane," "RD" (or "Rd.") for "Road."

study (noun)

A "study" is a kind of office that can be found in a person's home.

supermarket (noun)

Some people use the terms "supermarket" and "grocery store" interchangeably. Supermarkets in many cities have almost anything you need under one roof, such as "banking services," "photograph processing," "clothing," "sporting goods," "appliances," and "groceries."

take a look (inf., to take a look)

takes, it (to take)

throughout (adv.)

tour (noun)

trash compactor (noun)

walk (noun)

wall-to-wall (adj.)

Story

After speaking to the apartment manager, you decide to visit the complex. A taxi takes you to the north side of town. You meet the apartment manager in front of one of the buildings for a tour of the premises.