Zatera Ul

I’ve been feeling pessimistic about the general direction of the economy lately. It didn’t help that the newspaper had a long article about affordable housing in the Twin Cities suburbs, and how people with incomes very near MFH’s were qualifying for subsidized housing. If we had another child, and I kept staying at home, we would definitely qualify. As I told him, not seriously, “Dude, where’s our handout?”

The apartment that we are moving to is affordable within MFH’s income. Heat is included in the rent, and it is three miles from his work. Essentially, we’ve maximized square footage per dollar while minimizing cost and commute distance. The house we are moving from is more than we can comfortably afford on his income, particularly with high heating and commuting costs. The apartment is actually a little bigger than the house, but will cost several hundred dollars a month less.

We got our keys today, and moved in the first carload. We’ve made it up the big, long hill of the roller coaster, and now we’re easing over the top. I am out of practice for moving; we’ve been in the house for three years, which is the longest I’ve stayed in any one place since I left home for college. Anyway, it’s going to be a big change, going back to living in an apartment and having to rattle around more quietly. Also, dealing with a much more restricted lifestyle: can’t set up my plywood soaking tub in the bathtub (won’t fit), can’t let the cat out, can’t play with my MAPP gas torch, can’t have a live Christmas tree. Can’t even have an extra freezer. Blah, blah, blah. On the other hand, I get a whole bedroom for personal space, instead of an oversize closet. And the apartment has certain modern conveniences that the house doesn’t: dishwasher, air conditioning (not that I will ever use it unless I’m pregnant), and 300% more closets. And linoleum and toilet seats that are much less than 20 years old. Each place has its pluses and minuses.