Tuesday, December 28, 2010

3. American Homes


3. American Homes

Basically there are 5 types of homes.,'studio apartments', 'apartments', 'town house', 'condos' and 'independent houses'.

In studio apartments there is a large hall, a kitchen and a bathroom.

In ordinary apartments one or two bedrooms may be found. Normally there are about six houses in a floor with a common path.

Town houses have separate entrance for each house and a garage. There may be two floors

All the three types of houses are built by a company and let out for rent, about 500 over houses within a protected area. Rentals are from about $650 to $1250.

Those, who want to buy own homes must buy in 'condos' (condominiums, flat  houses)' like the advt."Arun Excello" in "Super Singer". a "$300.000 dream". But you own undivided land.

Bigger dreams are independent houses. The land belongs to you but you can't build compound walls!

In Florida, there are small ponds around independent houses. You also have a few crocodiles, snakes and tortoises in them. You don't disturb them and its mutual, they don't disturb you. Avoid going for a walk at night. Suppose they come out of the pond, accidentally?! There are "trainers" to put them back. What they is "They have been here for a long time" American equal rights?!!

You have to believe that all these houses are made of wood. Frame work for tall buildings are steel structures. Wood is abundant. Cheaper.. Damages are minimum during hurricanes and earthquakes for wooden houses. Carpenter is enough to build a house. Now you know why all the masons 'kothanaars' go to Singapore to work and not US! In fact in a super market called 'Home Depot" you can get all that is needed to build a house. They conduct classes for small children teaching them to make chairs etc.

Frying pappad…be careful. Smoke alarm will do its job and may invite others. There are water sprinklers all around inside the house and fire extinguishers too.

You are provided with fridge, aircon, heaters, dish washer and stoves, either gas or electrical. You have a free service if anything goes wrong. They attend within 24 hours of complaining through the apartment website. Switches, on if you off it!

Bathrooms… not a drop of water on the floor. No Indian closets. All are European WCs. Everything… inside the bathtub! Remember… it's all wood.  A lot of tissue paper is spent. Washing either in your own machines or in a common place inside the apartments compound.

Community amenities available are

Immediate repair services free of cost
Controlled Access Entry Gate
Laundry facilities 
Grilling Area(s)
Picnic Area(s)
Fully Equipped Fitness Center
Two Lighted Tennis Courts
Car Care Center
Recycling Area
Pet Friendly (rules apply)
Swimming Pool
Post boxes

Controlled Access Entry Gate: When you  go out from the compound, you would use a remote controlled gate and another one similar to that for entering back. For people on foot to go out there is a small gate. To come back you have to use an electronic 'access' key. When your friends come by car, they have to key in, in a small tower near the gate, a specific number allotted to you. Your phone will ring. When you press a number in your phone, the gate opens. Sesame!

Your neighbors, passers by, whatever complexion they are, or, you are, smile at you and say 'Hi' and  a few more words. It may take some time to understand the accent. By that time, your visa expires and you may be flying back!

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