Hiking, dinner, and lease renewal woes
Went on a 6-mile hike on Sunday, in gorgeous 70 degree weather and a crisp wind to keep it from becoming too hot. C: I did better than I thought I did, considering how out of shape I am. Came home, showered, and then slept for 3 hours. Heh.
The next day, I joined snottygirl for dinner at a new-to-me restaurant in the Pearl. It was delicious! I definitely want to go back. :9 Lots of excellent conversation was had. I haven't seen snottygirl since my Yuletide write-ins, so it was wonderful to catch up IRL.
Work-wise, things are teetering on the edge of being under control. I'm trying not to think too much about deadlines, just focusing on finishing every page I can.
Mostly right now, I'm consumed with irritation. It's time for my lease to be renewed, and I learned my rent is going up $80 to $200, depending on how long I renew for. I did some quick internet searching and discovered the new rate is normal for similar complexes in my area. It took me about an hour, but I realized why:
My portion of the Portland metro area is close to several tech companies, who often import workers from overseas. I swear, about a third or more of my complex is made up of them. These people stay in one place for a year or so, and then they vanish. Some are transferred to the other side of Portland, or another state, or to Canada, or even return to their home country--all at the drop of a hat. They also have very high salaries and can afford to pay pretty much any rent demanded. Thus, prices go up. WAY UP. Because the residents can afford it.
If I go with the cheapest renewal amount, the total after utilities are added comes out to 1k. Guys, that's a house payment.
If I'm going to be throwing $12k a year into a place to live, I'd rather it be towards owning my own house, rather than into the rental pit all while biting my nails wondering how bad the NEXT rent increase will be.
I've done some informal poking around on a real estate site sent to me by a friend, and even with my tight budget, it isn't hopeless. Of course, the real factor will be what my credit union is willing to loan me, right?
I think I need to track down a copy of "Buying a House for Dummies" again. Escrow and all that confuses the hell out of me. My mom tried explaining some of it to me over the phone, and my eyes kinda glazed over.
If I place a bag of money under my pillow, with the House Fairy leave me a lovely deed??
The next day, I joined snottygirl for dinner at a new-to-me restaurant in the Pearl. It was delicious! I definitely want to go back. :9 Lots of excellent conversation was had. I haven't seen snottygirl since my Yuletide write-ins, so it was wonderful to catch up IRL.
Work-wise, things are teetering on the edge of being under control. I'm trying not to think too much about deadlines, just focusing on finishing every page I can.
Mostly right now, I'm consumed with irritation. It's time for my lease to be renewed, and I learned my rent is going up $80 to $200, depending on how long I renew for. I did some quick internet searching and discovered the new rate is normal for similar complexes in my area. It took me about an hour, but I realized why:
My portion of the Portland metro area is close to several tech companies, who often import workers from overseas. I swear, about a third or more of my complex is made up of them. These people stay in one place for a year or so, and then they vanish. Some are transferred to the other side of Portland, or another state, or to Canada, or even return to their home country--all at the drop of a hat. They also have very high salaries and can afford to pay pretty much any rent demanded. Thus, prices go up. WAY UP. Because the residents can afford it.
If I go with the cheapest renewal amount, the total after utilities are added comes out to 1k. Guys, that's a house payment.
If I'm going to be throwing $12k a year into a place to live, I'd rather it be towards owning my own house, rather than into the rental pit all while biting my nails wondering how bad the NEXT rent increase will be.
I've done some informal poking around on a real estate site sent to me by a friend, and even with my tight budget, it isn't hopeless. Of course, the real factor will be what my credit union is willing to loan me, right?
I think I need to track down a copy of "Buying a House for Dummies" again. Escrow and all that confuses the hell out of me. My mom tried explaining some of it to me over the phone, and my eyes kinda glazed over.
If I place a bag of money under my pillow, with the House Fairy leave me a lovely deed??