I'm on the move!

Yes, its true.  I'm moving.

I have signed a lease.  The owner has approved me.  I have movers and a date.  But I am waiting for the exalted condo association to bless this new living arrangement.  At the rate they're going, I'll be living there for six months before they give their final approval.  Note to self: never buy (I'm just renting) but never buy in a condo association of only eight.

I'm excited about the new place.  Its a townhouse.  As my friend Betsy says, I'm returning to ground level.  Out of the high rise, back among the real people.

First it was the new rules and regulations.  Remember, when I moved here, the building was only about 30% occupied.  As more folks moved in, so did more and more rules, guidelines, signs posted.  Whatever, I guess it is necessary to post that pets are not allowed in the pool. 

Then came the college students.  I live about a mile or two from the main campus of the University of Miami.  One day it seemed like they just found the building.  Soon they were everywhere, and lots of them.  Not long after the student onslaught, came the periodic notes under the door.  Now I was having flashbacks.  Was I back living in a dorm?  Had I moved on to a very high priced campus and not noticed.  The first one said, "if the pool furniture is returned, there will be no questions asked."   Wow.  When I had friends over for Thanksgiving, I borrowed chairs from a friend.  I schlepped them here carefully packed in my car and back again after the holiday.  It never occurred to me that the furniture at the pool was ripe for the picking. 

My favorite note was the one about smoking pot.  It said some neighbors had complained about smelling smoke in the hallways.  The note said something like, "we need to remind you that smoking marijuana is illegal, please take it to your balcony."    Enough said.

Oh to be young and party all night long.  I remember the days of having races, yes literal races, down long hallways.  But I am no longer young and I really don't care to be awakened by those aforementioned races.

And then of course came the shower door. I can't remember now whether the rent increase or imploding shower came first but they were just about the same time.  I went out looking at apartments really thinking that it was reverse psychology.  I'll look around and that will make the landlord come to his senses and realize I'm a prize of a tenant.  Oddly enough, he valued money over a middle aged single tenant and I found a cool townhouse.  So maybe I should really thank him.  Hmmph.  I'm not quite there yet, but I'm working towards it.  I certainly would never have been out looking without him trying to take more of my money.

Interestingly enough, the townhouse I have found is in the same group as one I looked at on one of my first trips down here to look for a place to live.  I loved the unit I saw last time, but passed it over because there was no pool in the complex.  I am going to miss  my pool dearly, but it just wasn't worth staying here with all the other stuff going on.

Oh, did I mention that the only friends I had in the building have moved out?  Yeah, its time.

This was a wonderful apartment and a great place to land in a new city.  And, by the way, it one of only a couple apartments that I found that would take pets. Don't forget about my boy Max, my geriatric cat that made the move with me.  So now that I'm a bit more comfortable and Max is frolicking in a different place ... its time to move on.

I still have two bedrooms so come and visit.  All are welcome.  I'll send out an email with my new address.  If I miss you, just drop me a note.  My move day is June 11th.  Now all I have to do is start packing.  Boxes anyone?