Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Things I'll Miss

Listen, I've spent a lot of time the past few months complaining about my current apartment: the visits by police, the shouting neighbors, the meth abuse, the loud music, the frozen pipes and the intolerably chill conditions.

But what I haven't told you is this: when I first found this place almost two years ago, I'd looked at more than a couple dozen units around the city before I saw this one.

As soon as I walked through the front gate, I pretty much made my decision. From the large Spanish courtyard complete with trees, a well-kept garden, sprawling ivy and sundry critters, to the extra "security" of having a gate within a gate... it seemed like a touch of the rural smack-dab in the middle of a busy city.

Add to that the apartment itself was bigger than my previous abode — and also more charming, and cheaper — and it really wasn't much of a question for me.

It was perfect.

Returning "home" yesterday to the chirping birds and the eager squirrels was a bittersweet reminder of the one thing I'll miss.

Two apartments ago, I lived across the street from a large forest preserve (where I'd often go jogging). This "current" place has the aforementioned courtyard which is — quite literally — a breath of fresh air. But my next place is surrounded by brick and mortar on all sides, with only a small yard out back.

It makes me sick to think there are no guarantees that this place will necessarily be any better than the last.

Here's to hoping.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

There are no guarantees in this life, sadly. My place has downstairs neighbors with a REALLY good surround-sound stereo for their TV. It is fun to have my feet vibrate.

You know what you have now. This place should be an improvement. It will have issues of its own, though.

Here's hoping.
~BPP

Anonymous said...

A house out of the question?

thirdworstpoetinthegalaxy said...

BPP - The worst part of that being you actually own your joint. How often do you have to deal with the noise? Cause it's frequently... I'd be selling.

thirdworstpoetinthegalaxy said...

Winter - Sadly, no. Not in this city or at my current single-income level, anyway.

Ordinary, single-family homes are in the arena of $500K.

One bedroom condos are about $160K. A nice one is closer to $250K. I may go this route once I get a substantial salary increase and/or finally decide where, exactly, I want to live.

Alijah Fitt said...

Not to get all Buddhist on you but, when one door closes another door opens. Look at it this way, you will have something to compare the new place to. It could be a new adventure or maybe just another nightmare. I always get sad when I leave a place, no matter how miserable it was. Sentimental fool, waste not your time.

Anonymous said...

dearest third worst:

I believe I am in the process of buying a three bedroom farmhouse just outside Young America. here I must say what I always say after that, 'Who would not want to live in a place called Young America?' then somewhere shortly thereafter I mumble 'mythic resonance.' it is significantly less than all those Chicago K's. I also imagine it's much larger than most of those places. it has 960 feet of garage, and between the garage and the yard could probably park at least 20 cars. more if you go in the back yard. but underneath all this space, I am nervous as hell. will be my first house. I don't have to also buy a car and camera and all those other things that you need. my wife's having her gall bladder out next week. I'm doing physical therapy for my hamstring. so, yes, a mess the whole way around. I understand. but I also wanted to say that you're welcome in Young America any time. We've got at least 2 extra beds. great view across the empty fields. I'm going to be a much better writer.

ds

Anonymous said...

The noise isn't that bad and considering all the other bonuses to the place, I am willing to deal with it. Mainly the noise is before 9 on week days and before midnight on weekends. The fan drowns it out when I sleep.

Property Values where you live are flipping expensize. Don't they know the market is down?
~BPP

Anonymous said...

Wow you could get so much for 500k here.

Like a theme park or something...