The Best Place to Live

There are a lot of fabulous places to live in the world, but you should know that not every place is the best place for you, your needs, and your preferences. Instead of closing your eyes and dropping your finger on a map, you must use a more scientific approach to determining the ideal place to call home.

Choosing between a big city and a small town depends on your concerns about safety and lifestyle options. People believe that small towns are safer, quieter and more peaceful but they certainly lack the entertainment and culture you seek from a big city. Big cities are usually associated with exciting nightlife, they are full of clubs, restaurants, bars and cinemas, though crime frequency is often greater than that in smaller towns.

There are some practical steps to consider beyond fun and safety: whether you are single or have a family to support, whether there are good schools and healthcare for your kids, whether a certain location offers job opportunities in your field, whether the city you are selecting has a cost of living that suits your income and allows for a comfortable lifestyle.

With gas prices skyrocketing, location may be the number one priority when looking for a new house or apartment. Before choosing a place to live ask yourself if you take public transport or your bike to work and if you are concerned about gas prices and want to avoid the commute. However, in the age of the Internet, job locale is no longer important: more careers are taking on a telecommuting role so it does not matter where you live as long as you can get an Internet connection.

If you are looking for an apartment, neighbors may be a concern. Some of the worst horror stories from living in apartments come from having terrible neighbors. One night they are cooking something that smells disgusting and the next they are calling the police because you turn up the bass too loud. To avoid this situation scope out the neighborhood. Stake out the building for thirty minutes. If you see more than two kids under the age of ten come out, bail. Similarly, if you see more than two people over the age of fifty, forget it. You do not need to subject the people you bring over to their judgmental stares. Same rules apply when looking to rent a house, although, you have more leeway with a house because you do not usually have to share a wall with people you do not know.

It is always useful to make a list of what you are expecting out of an apartment or house before you start looking. You should consider the following things:

· Are the walls thick enough that not everyone knows when you are getting laid?

· Are the windows big enough to let good lighting in? Or do they let in too many curious eyes from the street?

· Will you have to wash your laundry at the laundromat or at home?

· Can you cook if you want to?

· Are any of the utilities included in the rent?

· How much does cable/satellite cost in the area you are in?

· How easy will it be to clean?

· Do you need one bathroom or two?

· Do you have to do the lawn work?

· Is there gas or is it all electric?

Although finding a price that you can afford is paramount, you do not want to look for the cheapest, rundown place in the city just to save. Find someplace towards the top of your price bracket so at least you have a sanctuary from all the things life throws at you. The key is to balance your needs with your finances. If you can do that you are going to have a good time come moving day.

I. Ответьте на вопросы к тексту:

1) How should one choose the best place to live?

2) What are some advantages and disadvantages of living in a big city and a small town?

3) What practical steps beyond fun and safety should one consider before choosing a place to live?

4) What is the number one priority when looking for a new house or apartment?

5) How can one check if the prospective neighbors are ok?

6) What else should one consider before choosing the best place to leave?

II. Соответствуют ли приведенные высказывания содержанию текста:

1) When choosing a place to live, one should close their eyes and drop their finger on a map.

2) People believe that small towns are safer, quieter and more peaceful.

3) Location is insignificant when looking for a new house or apartment.

4) If you see more than two kids under the age of ten come out, bail.

5) It is always useful to make a list of what you are expecting out of an apartment or house before you start looking.

Test

1. The lock is _________.

a) clogged

b) jammed

c) burnt out

2. The roof ________.

a) leaks

b) drips

c) clogs

3. John put the book back into the _________.

a) cupboard

b) bookcase

c) wardrobe

4. He left some dirty cups in the _________ in the kitchen.

a) washbasin

b) bath

c) sink

5. They cannot afford to buy a house so they _______ a flat.

a) hire

b) rent

c) lease

6. There _______ two armchairs at the window.

a) are

b) aren’t

c) is

7. There ________ a stereo on the table.

a) are

b) is

c) aren’t

8. There is a picture ______ the wall.

a) under

b) on

c) in

9. There is a shelf _______ the bed.

a) above

b) on

c) under

10. There are some dresses _________ the wardrobe.

a) in

b) on

c) among

Дополнительная литература и Интернет-ресурсы

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