and THEN

[brightbluegirl]

One of the things Andrew and I have agreed on this week is that next year we will move. Whether we move into our first owned home, or if we move to another rental, we don't know, but we WILL be moving to a new home.

My wish list for the new home:

-a garden space
-the ability to have a dog
-QUiET at night (children playing during the day is fine, and in fact, preferred)
-near the skytrain, or within walking distance to work
-cheaper than, or comparable in price to, the place we have now
-our own washer/dryer, or washer/dryer hookups so we can GET our own washer/dryer
-a shower that doesn't access all the temperature extremes cyclicly within every 10 minute time frame
-a big tub
-lots of storage space
-lots of counter space in the kitchen
-a FULL SIZE oven and fridge


Hmmmm.... that's all I can think of for now.

---

Yesterday ROCkED.

The internet and power was down at the client site, so after 3 hours of doing nothing at work, I got to go home (it apparently went back up about an hour after I left, but I refuse to feel guilty!)

So I went to Metrotown, and did some super power shopping. I pretty much completed Andrew's Yule presents, and got a tacky platter thing for his Aunt (I'm her secret santa), and a $20 gift certificate for a friend of mine who's moving, and as a result having to give up all her books, and I went to the Superstore and FINALLY they had maple syrup, which I have been waiting for since zaftigvegan told me about the deal (1 L for $10, so I got 2).

Anyway, it was really impressive guerrilla shopping, if I do say so myself, and I went home with a bunch of heavy bags.

The rest of the afternoon was spent working on a present for Andrew, and making butter tarts (I think, just one more iteration, and they'll be PERFECT), and I even worked out. I need to get back into the habit of working out before Andrew gets home, since he gets home at 8pm 3 nights out of the week, now.

Anyway, my brother called while I was working out, so we talked for a while, and that was interesting. He's not doing so hot, and is thinking that he may need to stay with family while he's getting his life in order. He said he was thinking about going back to Ontario, and I suggested he think about coming to stay with us.

He's going to think about it, and get back to me. We'll see. I don't know if it's the best, even, and he'll make the right decision for him. I hope.

Comments

[hukuma.livejournal.com]

I think the real problem with house wishlists is prioritizing the things you want. I recently read an article (http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?sid=A3EA813B-09DC-47C4-B51A-6425181EEF81&ttype=6&tid=14403) that talked about how lack of space is an easier thing to get used to than noise or a long commute, which both have many physiological effects. (Though it mainly talks about a driving commute.) Of course, I hope you can find something that fits your entire wishlist!

[tedshubris.livejournal.com]

I'm SUCH a Robert Frank fan. He's one of my all time favorite economists!

[a-narchist.livejournal.com]

geek...

[tedshubris.livejournal.com]

yeah, but you knew that already. Besides, Robert Frank writes stuff for a general audience as well... more well known for that stuff actually.

[freakykitten.livejournal.com]

True enough. We do have priorities, I just didn't put them on the list.

We actually have a place in mind, that would cover most of our wishlist, except counter space. But I can survive without it, I have before...

[asimplelife.livejournal.com]

That is fascinating! I moved from 1200 square feet down to 510 and I am MUCH happier now. Less to clean, less junk kicking around, forced to be more organized and efficient with space. I also personally prefer walking to work now rather than bussing or driving. It makes for a much calmer morning.

[malaka.livejournal.com]

How soon next year are you going to move? I mean, why wait if you're looking for a place that will have the same amount of rent, but be closer to work or the station?

[freakykitten.livejournal.com]

That's a good question - the major wait for us is just that there's no way we'd be ready to move on Jan 1, since Xmas and all that is in there. So the earliest move we'd make would be Feb 1.

What I want to do is wait until I have my work review (beginning of Feb) and see what raise I get (I hope it's appropriate), and then we'll re-evaluate. Originally we were planning on doing this all once we do our taxes. Mind you, we can DO the taxes as early as Feb, so...

So yeah. Certainly we wouldn't be waiting until late in the year, unless we just couldn't find something appropriate until then.

[malaka.livejournal.com]

yay! so you should start looking ;) How far from your work does andrew work?

[freakykitten.livejournal.com]

Pretty far, actually. He can walk to work from home now. But on the other hand, he's waiting to get into that carpentry thing, so his current job is not planned to be long term, so that's ok.

[asimplelife.livejournal.com]

Chances are [especially with a $0 down mortgage] your housing expenses will go up. It is feasible that they won't, but even looking at an $150 000 mortgage, you are looking at about $1200 a month [off the top of my head estimate, but there are mortgage calculators out there]. Assume around $5000 for inspection fees [if you aren't buying new] and lawyers costs and land transfer ect...

I would heartily suggest looking into a condo on the first floor, perhaps something will a small backyard. If you purchase and tough it out for a few years, you will be able to afford a much larger space later [rather than waiting and putting all your money in rent and affording something smaller in the future].

Obviously, YMMV, but some serious number crunching can't hurt. I totally think you could do it.

[freakykitten.livejournal.com]

Condo ain't happenin. Thanks anyway.

What we're looking at is some townhouses out where zaftigvegan lives. What she's paying is much lower than what you quoted, plus, there's a strata there to do repairs and such. A fine idea for a first home, should we go that route.

We will speak to a bank person as we've planned, when we've planned, and go from there. We'll do research closer to that time too.

[zaftigvegan.livejournal.com]

won't you be my neighbour?

[tedshubris.livejournal.com]

This is probably one of those things that you don't want to hear, and have thought of already, but I'm going to say it anyways... when you go to deal with stodgy bank people, hide/remove those piercings that you can.

[freakykitten.livejournal.com]

Actually Ted, I appreciate your concern for our success, but we are in fact intelligent enough to recognize when to play the game.

[a-narchist.livejournal.com]

btw, my dear. the butter tarts have now solidified.

[freakykitten.livejournal.com]

HANDS OFF THE BUTTER TARTS.

[pennycuts.livejournal.com]

dont compromise on counter space/storage and washer and dryer

[freakykitten.livejournal.com]

yes dear. :P

Actually, I don't mind about counter space, because I'm so used to little. We just use the kitchen table if we haveta.

[hokahey.livejournal.com]

what is guerrilla shopping?

i so need to get back into working out regularly, myself.
it feeds my brain and my moods improve.

i want to visit you and andrew before i leave, sometime, if that's cool... but i guess i shall see you saturday night, for dancing! i'm so psyched!!
i'll probably make a bloody fool out of myself, but that's allowed, right?

[freakykitten.livejournal.com]

Guerrilla shopping is when you get in and out as quickly as possible. I make a list, plan out the quickest route to do it all, and yesterday, I ended up doing all my shopping in 75 min - pretty good considering I made 2 unplanned sidetrips and got lost once. Heh.

If you didn't make a fool of yourself, it wouldn't be fun...

And yeah, plans are for you to visit... I can't think about it until tomorrow, really, but I have every plan to call you, for sure! Especially if we are going out on Sat.