House vs. Apartment

I've lived in a lot of apartments in my life. There are good things and bad things about it, of course, just as there are in living in a house or actually owning a house.

I love my apartment. Love it. It has cathedral ceilings, a gas fireplace, and a nice, open floor plan, plus red walls. I really like those red walls. It took me awhile to get the place to look exactly as I wanted it to, and I really enjoy it.

But...

I'm tired of the college boys across the hall slamming their door. And having visitors at all hours. And being generally rude.

And I'm tired of trudging up three flights of stairs. While it's good for cardio health, it stinks when you have your hands full of groceries, or you're sick, or you're just plain tired.

I'm also tired of the t.v. in my bedroom since there's no room for it in the living room (and I don't want it in the living room anyway) and it has made our bedroom the de facto "den."

And...I know my daughter is tired of not having a backyard to play in. That, perhaps more than any other reason, is why I've been looking for a house to rent. (We're not in a financial position to buy a house at this point since hubby is in college.)

The process hasn't been easy. We had some criteria: must accept an eccentric but loveable cat; must have a garage; must have a backyard; and, must have a dishwasher. But the ones I've looked at have either been terribly expensive (but really nice) or really cheap (and really dumpy). Finding one in-between has been a challenge.

But then I got an email from my church email list yesterday, and a member was advertising their house for rent. I read the description and it sounded perfect, so I emailed her and set up a showing for today.

When I drove up and looked around the neighborhood, I thought, This fits us. And when I went inside and saw all that space - room for a den! - room for an office! - I was ecstatic. My hubby was happy about the 2+ car garage and the dishwasher!

I met the landlady and wouldn't you know it - she's part of that generation that I understand. :-) She's 77 and a hoot. After chatting for awhile, we struck up a rapport and next thing I knew, I signed the lease.

We have a house now. With a backyard, room for a den, an office, and a dishwasher.

Though I despise the move itself, it will be worth it. I think God was looking out for us on this one - it fit our criteria and the price was right.

Now comes the tought part. Packing!