32 CANDLES: Moving House [Win a Tote Bag]
I’ve talked a lot about what Davie and I have in common over the last few weeks, but today I want to talk about something we absolutely don’t have in common — and that is moving. As far as I know, Davie has only moved twice in her entire life. I’ve moved seventeen times — and that’s not counting moving rooms in college or any moves that lasted under three months. And now I’m thinking about moving again.
We moved to Altadena from Silver Lake a year ago, in a panic about living in the right area of town to raise a family. Altadena seemed like a good fit. There’s a large black population here, Pasadena is less than ten minutes away. You get good house for the money. When our future landlord told us that he was planning to put our house on the market in a year or two, we were pretty sure we were going to buy. Only…
… Altadena might look perfect for us on paper, but IRL, not so much. We dislike not being able to walk to anything more than our local Ralph’s (which is desperately in need of a remodel). I do like having a post office nearby, but am annoyed that I have to wait in line every time to send packages as opposed to just using a machine to weigh my packages and get the proper amount of postage like at my old post office. Also, getting to the highway takes over ten minutes, which wouldn’t be so bad, if most of my friends didn’t live about 30 highway minutes away.
We made a list of the things we wanted in our next home, which included, good school districts, four bedrooms, within walking distance of shopping (which should include a decent grocery store), a pool, good cell phone coverage (the last time I talked to my editor on my cell, the call dropped three times), and most important, modern amenities. After living in a place with creaky central air that either runs too hot or too cold, pipe problems, and other old house issues, we are more than ready to embrace thoroughly modern living.
However, we’ve quite liked renting as opposed to owning. It allowed us a sneak peek of the neighborhood without actually committing to a mortgage, and it’s also allowed us to save toward our dream house. So we decided to rent for another year or two.
But then a funny thing happened during our research. We were able to find a few places that had all the stuff on our list and fit into our budget, but … they were all apartments, townhomes, or condos. So yesterday we had a family meeting, and as it turned out, no one, not even my MIL was opposed to living in a non-house. In fact, the only real argument I could come up with was that others would judge us for not living in a house, you know, like families are supposed to. But that actually sealed our decision to start looking into non-house options. You don’t ever want to go down certain paths only because others expect you to take it.
Anywho, this all has me wondering. How often have you moved? Are you happy with where you live today and what led you to move there? What would you change about your current residence if you could? The winning comment will be featured in next week’s Wednesday Comment Challenge AND the writer will receive a 32 CANDLES tote bag. Yay!
Speaking of which, congrats to last week’s Comment Challenge winner, jill from Pittsburgh, who wrote this in response to the question, “How Do You Watch TV?”
I am a reader in a houseful of tv fanatics! I have a few shows that I love to watch faithfully, but mostly, I prefer to have my nose buried in a book. However, I have lately discovered that there are some series that I missed, and I want to go back and collect old episodes. I had been borrowing the series by season from my local library, in preference to sitting at my desktop computer watching on Hulu. Due to a recent Netflix gift subscription, I am now watching older TV on my dvd player.
I think, however, that I get most of my television through osmosis; my stepson is watching in the basement, so I can hear his TV when I am doing laundry; my sweetheart watches tv on the big screen in the living room for my listening (dis)pleasure while cooking or couch lounging and my stepdaughter watches television (at top volume) on the second floor, in her bedroom. Does this mean I am a victim of second-hand viewing?
Photo Credit: Jerry Luk
We moved a ton growing up ask Christian. I moved a lot when I was older too but when the kids started school that became a lot harder to do. I do like the house that we are in but like you I wish we had a lot more places within walking distance. I also wish the climate was better we are already hitting the 100 degree mark here in Texas. The schools are great and close to the house and I think that is what has kept us here for all of these years.
I can say for sure that the day my last kid leaves for college this house is going on the market and I am out of here. I don't want to offend any fellow Texans but I can't wait to leave!
Yeah, we're hoping you come out here when you've got an empty nest!
We moved a ton growing up ask Christian. I moved a lot when I was older too but when the kids started school that became a lot harder to do. I do like the house that we are in but like you I wish we had a lot more places within walking distance. I also wish the climate was better we are already hitting the 100 degree mark here in Texas. The schools are great and close to the house and I think that is what has kept us here for all of these years.
I can say for sure that the day my last kid leaves for college this house is going on the market and I am out of here. I don't want to offend any fellow Texans but I can't wait to leave!
Yeah, we're hoping you come out here when you've got an empty nest!
I have moved a lot during my lifetime. I was born in Michigan and our family moved to Hawthorne, where the family of 6 lived in an apartment. We did move again two years later to Azusa, when my parents got a divorce a couple of years later. Although we still had the house in Azusa, it would no longer be ours as my mom, two brothers, my sister, and myself took on a journey up north when I was in 7th grade. During 7th grade, I went to 4 different junior high schools, with the final school and move was when the four of moved in with our dad, stepmother, stepsister, stepbrother, and their grandma. It was a full house for sure.
I don’t like moving and so our children did not experience the constant move like I nor my other siblings did growing up.
Sharon, it's funny, b/c before the age of 18, I only moved twice. We lived in a starter house, then we moved to a bigger house when I was 13. I think that's why I adore moving so much. Also, my parents spent almost two years searching for the house we eventually moved to, and I know my father will die in that house. I really only want to buy one house within my lifetime, so I'm a little obsessed with finding the perfect place in the perfect neighborhood for us. Still, I agree with you. Kids don't really need a ton of moving around, so before ours turns six, I would like to be settled into our "final" house.
I have moved a lot during my lifetime. I was born in Michigan and our family moved to Hawthorne, where the family of 6 lived in an apartment. We did move again two years later to Azusa, when my parents got a divorce a couple of years later. Although we still had the house in Azusa, it would no longer be ours as my mom, two brothers, my sister, and myself took on a journey up north when I was in 7th grade. During 7th grade, I went to 4 different junior high schools, with the final school and move was when the four of moved in with our dad, stepmother, stepsister, stepbrother, and their grandma. It was a full house for sure.
I don’t like moving and so our children did not experience the constant move like I nor my other siblings did growing up.
Sharon, it's funny, b/c before the age of 18, I only moved twice. We lived in a starter house, then we moved to a bigger house when I was 13. I think that's why I adore moving so much. Also, my parents spent almost two years searching for the house we eventually moved to, and I know my father will die in that house. I really only want to buy one house within my lifetime, so I'm a little obsessed with finding the perfect place in the perfect neighborhood for us. Still, I agree with you. Kids don't really need a ton of moving around, so before ours turns six, I would like to be settled into our "final" house.
Forgot to add the following to my long response:
We have lived in Altadena now for 26 years and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. We don’t have stores, etc. within walking distance of our home. It is quiet here and that is the way that I like it.
Forgot to add the following to my long response:
We have lived in Altadena now for 26 years and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. We don’t have stores, etc. within walking distance of our home. It is quiet here and that is the way that I like it.
I understand how you feel about Altadena….I lived here myself for @ 15 years.
That said, however, I would give Altadena another chance. If people who feel as you do simply give up and move out then where would be be? I know that several of us business and retail store owners here on North Lake Ave. are working toward making our area a shopping district worthy of your attention.
Work with the community and strive to improve it. No matter where you move, someone has already or is in the process of doing that.
I applaud your being a member of IndieBound….so am I!
Lori, yeah your store is one of the gems of North Lake. I wonder how one goes about vitalizing a community. Is there an organization working toward this?
Ernessa, the owners of Steve's Bikes, The Gallery At The End Of The World, Manning Press and I have formed the Altadena Business Association, formerly the Altadena Arts Coalition. We're the ones who have sponsored the last three street fairs in Galloway Alley and are dead serious about revitilization of the North Lake business corridor. There's no reason why we couldn't have a pedestrian-friendly retail area similar to other revitilized areas like North Hollywood, Eagle Rock, Montrose and Monrovia. We're dead serious about getting some attention up here and the plan is to start talking with the landlords (primarily Bill Galloway) about it., in hopes of their getting the Supervisor's attention. Ben McGinty (owner of the GalleryATEOFW) and I are also new Chamber of Commerce board members, and hope to gain attention to our situation that way, also.
I blog about our store and the state of business on North Lake Ave. at http://www.webstersfs.blogspot.com and am also very vocal on Facebook. A movement is born one person at a time, right?
I understand how you feel about Altadena….I lived here myself for @ 15 years.
That said, however, I would give Altadena another chance. If people who feel as you do simply give up and move out then where would be be? I know that several of us business and retail store owners here on North Lake Ave. are working toward making our area a shopping district worthy of your attention.
Work with the community and strive to improve it. No matter where you move, someone has already or is in the process of doing that.
I applaud your being a member of IndieBound….so am I!
Lori, yeah your store is one of the gems of North Lake. I wonder how one goes about vitalizing a community. Is there an organization working toward this?
Ernessa, the owners of Steve's Bikes, The Gallery At The End Of The World, Manning Press and I have formed the Altadena Business Association, formerly the Altadena Arts Coalition. We're the ones who have sponsored the last three street fairs in Galloway Alley and are dead serious about revitilization of the North Lake business corridor. There's no reason why we couldn't have a pedestrian-friendly retail area similar to other revitilized areas like North Hollywood, Eagle Rock, Montrose and Monrovia. We're dead serious about getting some attention up here and the plan is to start talking with the landlords (primarily Bill Galloway) about it., in hopes of their getting the Supervisor's attention. Ben McGinty (owner of the GalleryATEOFW) and I are also new Chamber of Commerce board members, and hope to gain attention to our situation that way, also.
I blog about our store and the state of business on North Lake Ave. at http://www.webstersfs.blogspot.com and am also very vocal on Facebook. A movement is born one person at a time, right?
I was born in MA, grew up in MO (two places), college in upstate NY, then 8 years in PA (three apartments, two houses) and now in NJ (one townhouse and now a house). Each move seems to take me to a smaller city. Our next move may get me into the boonies somewhere, so I'm not eager to move soon. Our only issue with where we are now is the school district.
I was born in MA, grew up in MO (two places), college in upstate NY, then 8 years in PA (three apartments, two houses) and now in NJ (one townhouse and now a house). Each move seems to take me to a smaller city. Our next move may get me into the boonies somewhere, so I'm not eager to move soon. Our only issue with where we are now is the school district.
As a military brat, I moved a bazillion times. Then I moved a bazillion more as a journalist. I told my hubby that I wasn't eva going to move again after we got settled in house we live in now. We bought it for the school district, but if it doesn't magically sprout another room or two, we will be moving — again.
No judgment on choosing a condo. I'd consider it, as long as it had a patch of grass somewhere for the dogs and the girls. Pros: no yard work. Cons: condo fees and living a bit too close to odd neighbors.
we lived next to a musician with a recording studio in his basement for years, so i don't think odd neighbors would phase us.
As a military brat, I moved a bazillion times. Then I moved a bazillion more as a journalist. I told my hubby that I wasn't eva going to move again after we got settled in house we live in now. We bought it for the school district, but if it doesn't magically sprout another room or two, we will be moving — again.
No judgment on choosing a condo. I'd consider it, as long as it had a patch of grass somewhere for the dogs and the girls. Pros: no yard work. Cons: condo fees and living a bit too close to odd neighbors.
we lived next to a musician with a recording studio in his basement for years, so i don't think odd neighbors would phase us.
I have tended to trade homes and cars like a dealer dishes out cards in AC. I too have moved 17 times in my lifetime (perhaps more before I had the capacity to remember). Not to mention that I have owned eight cars since I started driving 17 years ago. I guess I have serious commitment issues when it comes to staying in the same place for too long or driving the same automobile. God, it is a wonder I have been married for more than ten years!
I have tended to trade homes and cars like a dealer dishes out cards in AC. I too have moved 17 times in my lifetime (perhaps more before I had the capacity to remember). Not to mention that I have owned eight cars since I started driving 17 years ago. I guess I have serious commitment issues when it comes to staying in the same place for too long or driving the same automobile. God, it is a wonder I have been married for more than ten years!
we were living in rural northern arizona when my daughter was born with a condition which required immediate surgery. four hours after giving birth – after a 36 hour labor! – my baby and i were air-lifted to phoenix. her first year involved two more air-lifts and five local hospital stays. for each stay in phoenix, my poor husband had to close up the house, put the pets in a kennel, and drive across the desert for three hours to meet up with us. basically, it was a total nightmare. after the 2nd surgery, i told my husband i didn't want to live in that po-dunk town ANY more.
my husband works for the government, so i assumed that the process of moving offices would be long and cumbersome, but the people at the cascades volcano observatory in vancouver, wa, knew him and wanted him in their office. they mentioned a possible position for him in november, and we came to portland oregon in january to find a house.
we love it here, and my daughter has never been sick again.
we were living in rural northern arizona when my daughter was born with a condition which required immediate surgery. four hours after giving birth – after a 36 hour labor! – my baby and i were air-lifted to phoenix. her first year involved two more air-lifts and five local hospital stays. for each stay in phoenix, my poor husband had to close up the house, put the pets in a kennel, and drive across the desert for three hours to meet up with us. basically, it was a total nightmare. after the 2nd surgery, i told my husband i didn't want to live in that po-dunk town ANY more.
my husband works for the government, so i assumed that the process of moving offices would be long and cumbersome, but the people at the cascades volcano observatory in vancouver, wa, knew him and wanted him in their office. they mentioned a possible position for him in november, and we came to portland oregon in january to find a house.
we love it here, and my daughter has never been sick again.
As a kid I moved a dozen times, all within the same region.
As an adult, I've lived in four places, in four very far-apart cities.
I love looking at real estate but I hate moving.
There are so many things I love about the house we live in right now, but we don't plan to live in this area forever.
This is the second consecutive house where I've been able to walk to work. That is amazing, and a stark contrast to my life in SoCal.
The biggest thing I'd change about this house would be a heating and cooling system that worked better — it is very inconsistent in different parts of the house. Two years ago we spent $30K to replace the entire system, yet when he's in his home office in the winter my husband wears 3 sweatshirts, and on the hottest summer days he strips down to his underpants. $30K.
Wow, you just made me feel way better about our system. Though I looooove writing in my underpants, I mean just adore it. The one thing I miss about being at home alone all the time is the fact that I can no longer write in my underpants.
As a kid I moved a dozen times, all within the same region.
As an adult, I've lived in four places, in four very far-apart cities.
I love looking at real estate but I hate moving.
There are so many things I love about the house we live in right now, but we don't plan to live in this area forever.
This is the second consecutive house where I've been able to walk to work. That is amazing, and a stark contrast to my life in SoCal.
The biggest thing I'd change about this house would be a heating and cooling system that worked better — it is very inconsistent in different parts of the house. Two years ago we spent $30K to replace the entire system, yet when he's in his home office in the winter my husband wears 3 sweatshirts, and on the hottest summer days he strips down to his underpants. $30K.
Wow, you just made me feel way better about our system. Though I looooove writing in my underpants, I mean just adore it. The one thing I miss about being at home alone all the time is the fact that I can no longer write in my underpants.
I think I am on my 19th residence. I lost count in there somewhere. I have lived in many different cities and I love living somewhere that is more rural, with a city close by (like where I live right now in Petaluma). We LOVE our 1927 tutor down in Glendale, but we decided to rent a newer house up here for the next three years. It is interesting to compare them and I am really getting an all new appreciation for my old house.
We do like having a newer house now that is insulated. We barely use the heat or ac, but it stays warm or cool! Also, things aren't crooked and there are less repairs (especially since we are renting). All the new houses up here have small bedrooms, though and there seems to be a lot of wasted space. I do love that we can see the backyard from the family room. That is a rarity in Glendale/Burbank, as all the bedrooms are in the back of the house. I am not loving having a second story as much as I thought I would (vacuuming stairs sucks!). I also really miss the character that our historic neighborhood in Glendale had. Our new neighborhood feels bland and all the houses look the same.
Must have's for me are: a nice sized yard, the ability to walk to a grocery store and other shops, and enough space for Liam's toys!
I am so sick of moving and I am not looking forward to doing it again in 3 years, but it does help me to pare down our belongings and become more of a minimalist. Everything I buy must be moved and anything we don't use in our three years here should just be donated, so we don't have to pay to move it back. Also, every picture I hang up, or knick-knack I put out will just have to be packed up again.
I am loving Petaluma, but we will be excited to be back with our LA friends. I was so desperate to get out of LA, but now I realize that it is home.
that's kind of how i felt about pittsburgh when i moved to la. i think you'll be missing petaluma when you move back here!
I think I am on my 19th residence. I lost count in there somewhere. I have lived in many different cities and I love living somewhere that is more rural, with a city close by (like where I live right now in Petaluma). We LOVE our 1927 tutor down in Glendale, but we decided to rent a newer house up here for the next three years. It is interesting to compare them and I am really getting an all new appreciation for my old house.
We do like having a newer house now that is insulated. We barely use the heat or ac, but it stays warm or cool! Also, things aren't crooked and there are less repairs (especially since we are renting). All the new houses up here have small bedrooms, though and there seems to be a lot of wasted space. I do love that we can see the backyard from the family room. That is a rarity in Glendale/Burbank, as all the bedrooms are in the back of the house. I am not loving having a second story as much as I thought I would (vacuuming stairs sucks!). I also really miss the character that our historic neighborhood in Glendale had. Our new neighborhood feels bland and all the houses look the same.
Must have's for me are: a nice sized yard, the ability to walk to a grocery store and other shops, and enough space for Liam's toys!
I am so sick of moving and I am not looking forward to doing it again in 3 years, but it does help me to pare down our belongings and become more of a minimalist. Everything I buy must be moved and anything we don't use in our three years here should just be donated, so we don't have to pay to move it back. Also, every picture I hang up, or knick-knack I put out will just have to be packed up again.
I am loving Petaluma, but we will be excited to be back with our LA friends. I was so desperate to get out of LA, but now I realize that it is home.
that's kind of how i felt about pittsburgh when i moved to la. i think you'll be missing petaluma when you move back here!