Then it's hard again

 I could use some support. In a moment of heightened feelings, I tried to share my housing journey with Frenemy. Suddenly her grandma needed her. Ha.

I like when they try to slide in how I'm not available after 4p. Right, that's the reason. I always say to myself - in the same way you prioritize your family (and every other person that calls you), I prioritize my free time. Oh well. 

That was my mistake.

I don't know why I've been feeling especially bristly lately. I think because I've been successful in shedding any sort of dependency from Maryland Aunty (didn't realize that until now that I haven't thought about her much). Getting rid of Frenemy should be pretty easy too.

The Housing Journey

In a way, I'm excited. I actually am. I thought leaving NC and having the house was going to be the hardest part. But I solved that financially and emotionally. So it's less of an issue. I mean I can't trust feelings but I have a lot of emotional and financial contingency plans.

Finding a place to live is harder than I thought. Spending that money is hard! For whatever reason I decided on Philadelphia. At the very least it's a placeholder for.. bustling city that costs way too much. As much as I think I've thought about moving, it's been awhile since I actually truly looked for a new apartment. I forgot how time consuming and 'busy' it is. Ugh, no more hard stuff. No more decision-making. I want a furnished rental so I don't have to worry about moving furniture. I think there is a part of me that is yearning to be unencumbered. How much am I willing to pay for that in time (looking for a place) and money (paying a premium for the convenience).

I think in my mind I pictured living in one of those cool apartments on Landing/Blueground/Zeus. But boy are those pricey! What was I thinking.

I don't even have a real housing budget for this next phase. I only have short-term thoughts...stay in a short term rental for 3 months..figure it out later...

And now I have to think about my car. Parking my car in a city comes at a premium. There's no way I'm giving up my car.

Before finding housing, I already imagined myself taking weekend trips to the Poconos every other month because obviously I'll need a break from the big bad city! I'll need a car for that.

And what do you do without a car when it's snowing outside and you have to walk a mile? But would I drive a mile in the snow? How often does it even snow in Philadelphia.

The girl I met named Michele from Seattle... I feel like she was from Philadelphia...but maybe it was Pittsburg. But I'm sure it was Philly. She didn't find her community there. Will I? 

For these Philadelphia prices and reports of it being partly cloudy year round....Seattle is not too far behind this city. The biggest sore spot for Seattle is having to wake up 5a everyday forever for work. I don't love that.