In the life of a Foreign Service Spouse, there are certain involuntary breath-holding moments that occur in response to the ambiguity of this lifestyle. One of those moments is the day you get a post assignment. The other is the day you get your housing assignment. As you might expect, both have a pretty major impact on what your life is going to look like over the next 2-3 years and most of the time you’ve had very little influence over the decision.
To give you an idea of how it works, important information usually arrives via Nick’s work email. We try to open to open the life-changing emails together, holding hands and taking a deep breath before we find out what we’ve been given. Now don’t get me wrong, the State Department treats us beautifully, but I don’t know that I’ll ever get used to the lack of choice that exists in our lifestyle.
Since we’re less than 90 days out, we knew our housing assignment would be coming soon. We were allowed to give preferences and some of the things we indicated were that we’d like to be near the ocean and be around restaurants. We were okay with living in a condo again and Nick didn’t mind a longer commute. We figured this would be the last time we could do a ‘city experience’ before we had to move to the burbs with our growing family.
Based on all the people we talked to, we fully expected to be assigned to a condo in Miraflores. Not only did we not end up in Miraflores, but we got assigned a 3-bedroom house with a backyard! This is practically unheard of for a Junior Officer like Nick, especially with only three people in our family.
The area of Lima we’ll be living in is called San Isidro. It’s known primarily as the Financial district, but also has a lot of high-end housing. From everything we’ve read, it seems to be a fantastic neighborhood. It’s also just a mile or so from the ocean, so we’ll have easy access to the water. The only golf course and cricket club in Lima are also located here.
I found a video that’ll give you a feel for the area. Lots of green space! If anyone’s familiar with this part of town, please leave us comments and/or links about it.
I used to love getting our housing assignment too. So much fun to plan where everything was going to go. Your new Peruvian space looks amazing. You will have a wonderful tour, I’m sure of it. Because it is somewhat about the place, but it is more about what you make of the experience, and you, my dear have already proven that with your positive outlook on everything in life you will make it the most wonderful experience ever. That is until the next tour, when the positive adventure will start all over again. Xoxoxoxo
Well that is EXCITING! Good for you guys!
It looks lovely!! What great pictures to get you excited and focussed toward your new awaiting adventures! You are right about the floors and may want to invest in some of the foam squares for flooring in Nia’s play area, or a play carpet. If you want her in socks indoors, she will need the grippy kind too. Have you done your pack out? If not consider maybe one Playhouse or item with slide for indoors as well. Kids LOVE it at this age and it gives them something to crawl in and out and in and peek out windows and in and out…great for playdates too! And it will ALWAYS sell when you are ready to give it up.
That house looks great – congratulations!
Is that an open area in the living room? I can’t tell if those are giant windows or if that is open with metal bars on it. ;) Looks fun and exciting! I am for sure coming out to this post!
Yay! This looks like a great place to call “home” for the next couple of years. Everything looks modern and lovely.
Awesome house! This is going to be an amazing place for your family to enjoy and grow in while you are in Lima! Housing assignments are so fun. We never get photos so the first time we see the house is on arrival. How fun you get a sneak peak!
Hi,
The house looks amazing I just found your website through another FSO. I am an EFM and we will be arriving in Lima by April. I would like to ask you about miraflores and san isidro we will be 2 of us our son 4 and a baby that is on the way. As you we still want to experience the city leaving before the burbs.
How long in advance did you submit your house survey.
How many bedrooms do apartments typically have?
Is there a particular condo/ complex where people with younger kids recommend San Isidro or Miraflores?
Any tips on the housing survey for lima?
ps: love yoga to I may joying the place that you mentioned in one of your blogs.
Saludos
Jenny
Awesome Jenny, I’ll email you back with my answers! See you soon!