We're apartment shopping once again. I/we like where we live, but since they built a new complex just to our south, we have no view anymore. As expected our rent is going up a little....not a killer....but to me it's worth less without the view we once had.
The biggest factor leading us to look around is that K has said she wants an apartment with a patio / balcony. We have a beautiful little private courtyard surrounded by balcony units, but none are available now. So off we went yesterday to see what our options were elsewhere. We went to four different communities, two of them really nice, but trying to sync what they'll have available when we want it is tough. And the thought of physically packing and moving again....UGH!!
I did some rough calculations last night and it looks like me just building something for us is the way to go. It would cost us less than renting. 'Course, after I figure in the cost of having a guy come in to mow, edge, hedge trim, fertilize and water, rake leaves, wash the windows, clean out the garage, paint, take out the garbage, change light bulbs, change a/c filters, and sweep the porch, it would probably be pretty much even. (Yes, I've totally embraced this "retirement" thing.)
Building a new home is also the carrot we need hanging in front of us in order to save more money. Just by eating one less meal out and thinking twice before buying things like we normally do I figure we've saved at least $100 this weekend. We can probably put aside another $5,000-$10,000 this year if we keep this up.
Hey...that might get us a pretty nice couple days vacation in Aspen. Sweeeeet! ;)
S
I smell a lot of new post material in your future.
ReplyDelete:)
ReplyDeleteK
Yup, we're facing the inevitability of a move fairly soon, too, though we haven't started hunting in Phoenix yet.
ReplyDeleteLet our fun begin. ;)
DeleteYes, what Joeh said... :-)
ReplyDeleteDon't you already have a cleaning lady? Pay her a little more and add to her duties. Stuff like garage, painting, raking leaves, etc. are once or twice a year occurrences where you can hire a responsible high school kid or college student.
Oh, I'm so looking forward to you and K doing this (and I'm just greatful that it's not me who will be moving).
Yes, we have Geneva, but I think that would be outside her comfort zone. If we pursue a new house it would be my last move. I can't keep doing this!
DeleteWe hate moving. When Mike & I moved to Cincinnati we just found somewhere "for the time being" - we figured we'd live there long enough to figure out where a better place to live would be. We were there for 12 years. When we moved to our current house I told a friend that it was temporary & she said, sure - you'll be there another 15 years.
ReplyDeleteSo how long has it been?
DeleteWe've been here 3 1/2 years. Originally, we were moving temporarily to a town in the middle of our jobs (I go 40 miles south, he heads 35 miles north) until I could get a job closer to wear he teaches. But then the economy tanked & his university is in a VERY rural area. No jobs - at least not at my current rate of pay. So we're staying put for now. Thank goodness I love my job & I don't mind my commute (except for the amount I spend on gas!).
DeleteI thought you were really happy where you were but losing a view would bother me too. I hope you're able to find what you want. Building it yourself could be a drain on your finances when you start adding in everything from your wish list. Just be sure you have a spare bedroom for when I come for a visit.
ReplyDeleteWe're very happy here, except for the issue with the view. The best possible outcome would for them to have a unit become available overlooking that nice little courtyard. Then the move would just be down the hall.
DeleteI hate moving also, but if Momma wants a balcony you are either going to have to add one with a view included, build a house with a view, or move, with that said I see the fun already starting :)
ReplyDeleteYep. "If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!". Right?
Deleteah, the joys of moving! I'll have another move in the future, too, since the place I'm in now we'll either sell (partner getting too old to care for a 2000 qm yard and no, I'm not about to do it) and move to a nice apartment or smaller house..... or who knows! *sigh*
ReplyDeleteDid I ever say... I hate moving??!! :-)
I don't blame him for giving up on property that size. That's not a yard, that's a farm! ;)
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