Moving

[karaksindru]

No, I'm not getting ready to move again. But this post has been brewing in my head for a few days and it'll keep gnawing at me until I get it out.

I like my apartment well enough to not want to move. Unlike my last place in Portland, the management here is friendly and not prone to pulling random crap like cutting down a tree outside my window starting at 7AM on a Saturday without warning, or changing the laundry machines from coin-op to cash-card a week before notifying residents of the change.

It's also close to grocery stores and a short walk to a handful of restaurants.

Even so, there are things I dislike. Such as the water heater taking a long while to get hot water to my faucets. Or there only being two sets of laundry machines for 16 apartments. And the commute to work leaves something to be desired. It could be a lot worse, but it's still not a great commute.

Given the above, there are three criteria I'm looking for in a new place to live:

• Close to work, preferably within 5-7 miles (easy biking distance - saves gas and keeps me fit!)
• In-home washer/dryer. Not a deal breaker, but definitely worth more than a few points in the Pro column
• Monthly rent no more than $800

With that in mind, only a few things will actually motivate me to move.

1. New/Better job somewhere else too far away to commute
2. Loss of current job
3. I find a place matching the above critera
4. A girl convinces me to move (again)

Currently I'm renting on a month-to-month basis, so there's nothing keeping me here if one of the above happens.