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Post by PaperGrace on Jul 13, 2015 12:17:18 GMT -5
We had planned not to move until such time as we could afford a house, but I'm getting the itch to get out of this apartment. We moved here because it was in walking distance of Husband's job, but now that he's quitting there and working further away it is just crazy to put up with the things that we have been. His new commute requires transferring buses, which can be hit or miss, and takes up to two hours if there is a missed connection. He's working 12-15 hour days, so that added travel each way is WAY too much. I want to get us within one bus route of his work.
I've got a few feelers out and anyway I look at it, if I move I will have less space. We simply cannot afford an apartment in this area that is comparable in size to the one we're in. Our apartment is at least 1200 square feet, if not closer to 1400, not counting the unfinished basement. Most of the places I'm looking at range from a 'cozy' 700 to 'large' 1050.
The 700 sq ft one is in the middle of the art district downtown, right near our hacker/maker space, and in walking distance to downtown and the lake. It's a few blocks from my MIL's new apartment, and a block away from a storage facility. I warn people about the storage trap all the time, but I'm mighty tempted to consider it part of the cost of renting in this fantastic location. I wouldn't be fooling myself that it is temporary this time. This apartment has a sick retro kitchen, a big yard (for the city anyway, and better than the one we have now), and we'd be able to foster my bestie's dog while he gets settled in Boston next year.
The other ones are in large new apartment buildings, they have their perks too (like a community room I could host game in each week without having to figure out how to fit all those people in my house, which would make it fine for me to give away the extra tables and chairs) and location wise they're closer still to Husband's work. One of them would even put The Doctor in his little buddy's school district, so he'd know someone in his kindergarten class.
Ideally I'd want to move before school starts. :/ I have enough craziness going on in my life right now without adding this, but losing Husband for an extra work shift worth of hours each week is really hurting my ability to keep up with the house and my homework.
So... IF/WHEN I move, I will need to downsize. Considerably. This idea is simultaneously exiting and sickening. I'm looking at pictures of the closets and dreaming of capsule wardrobes for each of us. I'm looking at the living room spaces and thinking "who needs a living room anyway," it can be a hybrid dining/office/playroom right?
Why am I so crazy?
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Post by dtesposito on Jul 13, 2015 12:31:26 GMT -5
Wow, exciting and major changes. Unless you're really close to being able to afford a house, I think you should move. I think if your husband has that kind of commute for a long time it will not only affect your time, but it will wear him down and make him less effective in his job and at home, not to mention miserable. You said he just started this job--do you think he'll like it, and that he'll do well enough to keep it? If yes, then I say go for it. I don't know about being done before school starts though--does school start after Labor Day or is it one of those early starts, like mid August? It certainly would light a fire under you! Diane
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Post by PaperGrace on Jul 13, 2015 13:14:14 GMT -5
Thanks Diane, that's my thought too. It was a good plan when we thought we were only a couple of years away from homeownership, but we're no closer, and it is foolish to stick to a plan that is obsolete given our new situation. He LOVES his job, and he's really, really good at it. He's a counselor at a youth rehabilitation center now, working with kids in residential placement. Some residents will never return to their birth families after bouncing around in the foster care system--they'll stay until they age out into adulthood; and some are learning the skills they need to be able to be reunited with families who couldn't handle their dangerous behavior on their own (who knows if my nephew will land there or not). I don't know if I can handle moving before school starts, but I really don't want to disrupt the boys more than I have to. They've lived on this property almost their whole lives, so it is going to be a big change for them. They have experienced a move, we used to live upstairs.
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Post by angela on Jul 13, 2015 14:32:41 GMT -5
Move!
Honestly, the smaller apartment sounds like it has a lot of wonderful features as well as the location sounds great.
I'm sorry I haven't kept up with your journey...do you have a lot of possessions to release?
Indeed, to get this done would be a real push before schools starts. I think you can do it though!
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Post by papermoon on Jul 13, 2015 15:03:14 GMT -5
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Post by bittyboo on Jul 13, 2015 15:37:29 GMT -5
I don't think you're being crazy. I think you're being practical and realistic.
You've identified several deficiencies in your current living situation and you're formulating a plan to correct those deficiencies.
Most importantly, you realize that while no living situation is ideal and that moving to a smaller space won't solve every problem you have, it will go a long way toward making your lives easier and more pleasant and is therefore worth some sacrifices.
Pretty sound reasoning, IMO.
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Post by PaperGrace on Jul 13, 2015 18:04:47 GMT -5
Thanks for the vote of 'you aren't nuts' everyone. I needed to hear that.
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Post by mynicehome on Jul 13, 2015 23:44:37 GMT -5
Hi PaperGrace! What an exciting prospect! I don't think it's crazy at all, although I wonder a little about contemplating such a short time to move. You've described enough benefits and advantages for it to be a convincing idea, but the one I think is most important is your husband's commute and the long work days he already has. The kind of work he does is very demanding (did the same thing myself for two years) and the additional commute time could become a very real burden. Your relationship as a family is the priority I see and if moving helps take away any stress in this area then I would definitely do it.
You are not crazy...seems like a sane decision to me!
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Post by PaperGrace on Jul 17, 2015 5:24:35 GMT -5
The small apartment in the perfect location was just a little too small for a family of four, even if we did put virtually everything we own in storage. :/
I have a couple other things in the works, and I did find another large apartment in our price range... but it is a bit on the run-down side.
The new urban development is looking better and better. Yesterday I went down the boardwalk along the river, and took a little jaunt down the gravel path to the launching point of the natural area. It is swampy and wild, but with a big open field that doubles as a dog park and is kept well mowed at the trail head. So... if I move to the biggest, most dense housing in the area, I'll have more access to natural and recreation spaces than I do here in the 'burbs.
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Post by lucie on Jul 17, 2015 6:09:50 GMT -5
I hope you will find a place that works for you. BTW, a family of four CAN live in 700 sq feet. I grew up in one and it is a most common size of a flat here. Families with children even live in smaller places. Having only necessary amount of things is amust then.
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Post by ohblondie on Jul 17, 2015 6:41:16 GMT -5
PaperGrace...this is a great plan and it will fall into place. I am excited to read about your adventure.
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Post by PaperGrace on Jul 17, 2015 8:14:17 GMT -5
700 square feet is totally possible, I knew it was that small before we went to look at it. Given the layout of this place though, it would be a hardship. It will technically fit a bunk bed in the kids room, but not the one we have. The way the doors are placed limits space more than the size does. :/ I'm in love with the retro kitchen with it's white metal everything and its farmhouse sink though. If I had lots of time to thrift shop for the perfect furniture (selling our current stuff to pay for it) I might still consider it, but we just can't expend that effort right now.
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Post by PaperGrace on Jul 17, 2015 8:16:44 GMT -5
A wise and sparkle -y woman suggested that I purge and pack as though I am moving in a few weeks, even if I don't find an apartment in that timeframe. She is so right. I'm setting aside a little bit of time each day to do so. I consider it a break from regular housework and schoolwork, so it is almost relaxing.
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Post by ohblondie on Jul 17, 2015 10:03:34 GMT -5
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2015 20:29:48 GMT -5
sometimes I day dream about living in a one room home. Just for fun. WHat would I give up? I think it is a good test
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