The Cost of Housing

I'm curious about this restlessness and discontent which I feel. I have a great job which I love. I look forward every day to getting to work (not the process of getting there, though). And I live in one of the most beautiful cities anywhere. I meet people everyday who dream to live in Charleston one day. So why can't I enjoy my good fortune? Because at the end of the day, I can't make ends meet.

The search engine in my brain is constantly looking for a way to save money or make more of it. It occurs me to that this is most likely the source of most people's discontent... not enough money. It makes me feel as though I'm holding my breath every second.

I have gone over my budget with a fine tooth comb. I have chosen not to have a TV so there is no cable expense. I tried to live without internet, but found I couldn't do it. I have given up meat and alcohol purchases so that's a huge savings in my grocery bill. I don't go out to eat or spend money on entertainment. I've stopped getting my nails done and I very rarely buy clothes. In fact, in addition to feeling a little desperate, I'm beginning to feel quite bored. I realize that my great big fuzzy puppy is an unnecessary expense, but should I live as a complete hermit? I'm thankful that the cost of gas per gallon has gone down because I'm filling up my tank twice as much because of my longer commute.

So... what about the cost of housing? Ahh, there's the rub!

Prior to moving here, I looked and looked at all conceivable apartment complexes. There's no such thing as cheap rent here, or, I suspect, anywhere for that matter. My best friend had suggested that I take on a roommate or two, but I wholly dismissed that idea on the grounds that I'm a grown-up. She pointed out that grown-ups everywhere are now doing this in order to save money. Still, I resisted. I chose the apartment that I did because I was able to keep the same management company as in Savannah and not have to pay a hefty fee for breaking my lease. The rate was also cheaper than I had seen anywhere and the complex was not bad looking. It is a little shabby, but quaint. Still, fully half of my take home pay goes to pay my rent!

It wasn't until I had a conversation with my grown-up son in New York City about he and his girlfriend taking on a roommate to take the financial pressure off of them that I started to really listen. He brought up the notion that rents have soared while incomes have stagnated and that's when I realized I needed to take another look at the situation. And so then I started doing a little research. 

Since 2005, the beginning of the mortgage lending crisis, and as a direct result of that crisis, rents have increased by 50%!!! Obviously salaries have not kept pace. No wonder people are not spending money like they used to; they are putting all their money into keeping a roof over their heads, food and car payments! 

So, now that I know the truth and can see the obvious, what to do? Not for the first time in my life have I regretted one of my bull headed and closed minded decisions. In order to save money, I chose a one bedroom apartment so I don't even have any room for a roommate. My lease is up in July, so I just need to hang on until then.

Please wish me luck!

In The Beginning

Three years ago from yesterday, I packed up my 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee in Delaware and headed south to Savannah to participate in an art show. What most people didn't know was that I didn't plan to return. 

So, there I was a northern woman, newly single, transplanted in the south and trying to make a go of it on my own. I had dreams of making it financially on my own merit; first by selling art, then by creating websites. I had plenty of ambition and talent, what I lacked was customers.

A back-up, part time job working in a Christmas shop on River Street in Savannah saved me on many different levels. Last spring, my Jeep was totalled in a car accident, completely not my fault. I had no idea how I was going to make car payments in addition to paying rent which I really couldn't afford. 

When my eccentric, but generous, boss heard of my dilemma, he offered me the services of his car dealership, his friends and family discount and the managership of his Christmas shop in Charleston, SC. So in August of this year, I packed up my things and my big fluffy puppy and moved to the Holy City.

As with any relocation, the adjustment period is always tough. Some days I'm on top of the world, other days I'm in tears from frustration and loneliness. Traffic can be a bear, too, and something I haven't really encountered since the days I used to commute between Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, back in the late 70's and early 80's. This led me to one morning, in the height of rush hour traffic, exclaiming, "All I want is to live in the country and drive a pearl pink vintage pick up truck and write!"

Of course, I have no idea how to make that dream a reality, and that's what I hope to explore in this blog which is 50% self-analytical and 50% purely narcissistic.