The devil you know

[bironic]

"Hooray," I need to move sometime in the next several months!

My landlady has begun taking steps to assess and likely sell the condo I have rented from her since coming to Boston for this job 5 1/2 years ago. She said she would offer me right of first refusal to buy it, but since I probably can't afford its market rate, nor do I think I'd want to spend that kind of money on a ground-floor one-bedroom with a list of issues anyway, it's time to hunt.

Which means finding realtors/brokers, answering the "rent vs. buy" question—nothing like trying to gauge how long you plan on staying in one place when you are at the same time wondering how much you like your job anymore—recalculating budgets, navigating the fact that more than 70% of Boston-area apartments turn over on June 1 or September 1, paring down belongings in advance of packing...

Sigh. I like stability. I was not planning on shopping for a new home this summer—or sooner. Then again, this is an opportunity to improve some bothersome things, like not being able to arrange furniture in a satisfying way for company or park in a driveway.

The stop-motion cartoon Rilakkuma and Kaoru did not deliver the comfort I sought but did instead offer the counsel I needed when I watched an episode after the landlady's phone call. Rilakkuma befriended some snowmen only to wake up the next day to discover that they had melted. "It's impossible for them to stay the same forever," Kaoru soothed him as he cried. Then the closing aphorism said: THINGS CHANGE.

.

Speaking of cycles and change: friends seem to be going through a full range of experiences lately.

[talk of pregnancy, babies, grief]

I have a friend who just had a baby, a friend who just lost a baby, a friend who's recently pregnant, a friend who's wrestling with trying to get pregnant.

I have a friend who was fired unexpectedly, a friend who started a new job one year to the day after being fired, a friend who's afraid of being fired every day even though she keeps being given raises.

Etc.

Take care of yourselves out there, everyone.

Comments

[yhlee]

Oh man, having to move unexpectedly is such a pain. I wish you the best with the housing search. *support support*

[bironic]

Thank you! And thank you for the non-explicit reminder that at least the move wasn't spurred by a flood or other disaster. *so much sympathy*

[yhlee]

Heh, thanks! But seriously, I have never heard of ANYONE who enjoys the annoying logistics of moving, no matter the reason. May all go smoothly for you.

[bironic]

True, true. Thanks again.

[timespirt]

I hope you find a really great place hon.

[bironic]

Thank you.

[laurashapiro]

I am so sorry, that is a harsh reality to have to navigate. So many hugs to you.

In case it gives you a moment of uplift: P. and I are visiting Boston this fall and I would love to see you if we can make schedules align. I'll keep you posted on dates when we nail them down.

[bironic]

Oh! Yes, please, that would be lovely.

[laurashapiro]

Dates confirmed! Coming in on Friday evening 10/18, leaving 10/23. We will spend a couple of days in the Berkshires so probably will only be around on the weekend. Would love to see you!

[bironic]

Yes, good! Looks like that's Head of the Charles weekend (int'l rowing competition), so the city will be hopping.

[laurashapiro]

Oh boy. Will that mean traffic/hard to get dinner reservations/etc.?

[seascribble]

Ugh, moving in Boston. *hugs* I hope it goes smoothly and you find somewhere nice.

[bironic]

That about sums it up, LOL.

At least it's not an interstate or international move this time, right? Good luck on that front yourself!

[grammarwoman]

Yikes! That kind of accelerated timeline would send me into a panic - but then again I am a Person with Much Stuff, and moving is a nightmare. Today I couldn't even move everything from one cubicle to another at work in a couple of hours!

Good luck, and take care of yourself. *HUG*

[bironic]

Thanks. <3

The hauling of the stuff feels more manageable than the decision-making about where to go and when, but each in its own time. :)

[lilysea]

Ugh, moving. :(

Hard for everyone, especially hard for anyone with

a) books; and/or

b) Anxiety.

I wish you all the luck!

[bironic]

This made me laugh. Too true, and I have plenty of both. Thank you!

[ride_4ever]

No getting around that moving causes some stresses, but I hope you will find them to be minimal and then end up with a place as good or even better than this one.

[bironic]

Thank you!

[minoanmiss]

If I hear of any useful leads or helpful realtors or anything else you can use, I will let you know asap.

[bironic]

Thank you! There are some services available through work, although there are more for home buying than for renting.

[marginaliana]

Moving is the wooooooorst. But eventually you get to have the joy of unpacking! I always enjoy that part.

If there's anything I can help with locally, let me know.

[bironic]

Thanks for the offer. I may be looking for second opinions on places if the decisions aren't easy.

[celli]

<3333

[bironic]

<3 ! At least this one isn't interstate, right?

[toft]

Oh no, that sounds potentially very stressful - but also, as you say, an opportunity. But I like stability too and moving tends to suck :( let us know if we can be any help!

[bironic]

Thanks - you've got your hands full over there, but maybe a second opinion at some point when it inevitably comes down to needing to pick a place and getting stuck. :) I'd ask if you liked your realtor(s) but those services don't extend beyond faculty, although there are some other resources I'm looking into.

At least this one won't be interstate or international, eh? Apartment/condo-hunting in the same city where one currently lives will be a new, and likely simpler, experience.

[ldthomps]

Ugh, moving is pretty much always awful, and worse when unexpected. I hope that it gets you into a better home for you, though!

[bironic]

Thank you! I do believe my earliest memory of helping someone move in the Boston area besides for college was when you and ignazwisdom and I maneuvered a bureau in a U-Haul. Good times.

[scribe]

Oh nooooo, unexpected moving is the worst! Do hit me up if you could use help packing or carrying. :-)

[bironic]

Thanks for the sympathy and the offer!

[monanotlisa]

Urgh, sorry about the forced move. Then again, perhaps it will lead to good things? There's some potential, maybe.

[bironic]

That is the hope! Thank you. <3

[serenadestrong]

Moving sucks, and I'm sorry it has been thrust upon you unexpectedly. I hope it's an opportunity to find a place you like more than this one.

[bironic]

"Some have moving thrust upon 'em." :)

Thank you - that is the hope, indeed.