Thoughts on renting my house and other news

 So I had a thought exercise with my work colleague on what to do with my house 'when' I get accepted into Tulsa Remote.

They immediately suggested I rent it out; put my stuff in storage; and get a new place to live. They pointed out renters are not going to leave my place better than they found it.

That stuck with me because I think that's been part of my hesitation for renting but couldn't quite form the full thought.

There is some ick factor with letting a stranger move into your house and then having to move back in. I know people do it all the time. And I think I was just hoping after 1 year, it wouldn't be that bad; and either maybe the property management people will help restore it to its original condition or I could just get the maid service to come in. 

I was okay with getting new couches for example. Couch, singular. There's not much else they can damage. Depending on cost, I could replace the flooring because I've been wanting to anyway. 

While the thought of getting a new house after this is very appealing, I know without a doubt that this house fits into my current retirement plan, and it's unlikely I'll find another house for the same price. That's really it. I've tried all the mental thoughts to figure out how to leverage the equity in this house without increasing my housing costs and I just can't do it. 

The default "plan" is just to see what my final net worth is when I finally quit working. I'm definitely open to renting at a higher cost while I'm still working. That was kind of an easier decision than I thought. But wherever I decide to rent would have to be a value add in some way. Right now, the easiest proposition is more social activities. But honestly, even thinking about being more social gives me some anxious feelings. 

Interesting as I write that, I'd be willing to rent an apartment and move out... I say, but yet I'm timid to move back in. So there must be something unsaid about what happens after the rental. I think it's either...some latent feelings of moving out to be with a partner....and obviously that just working out...or it failing miserably that I'll be glad I kept my house no matter the renter's damage. OR, there is a scenario where the rental income can offset some of the cost of my new place...and at some point that extra equity will reach a good enough number that I can sell and use those funds to offset my new housing costs.

But as I'm learning, the thing with adulthood is that urgency increases (temporarily), but time slows down. So there are are decisions that are at least 2 years out. Two years is the magic number for my version of adulthood. 

It's a year later from reaching my leanFIRE number that I'm finally not feeling the urge to make big financial decisions or big life decisions. I'm finally just standing still a bit. It's 2 years later after my new job that I don't feel the strong urge to capitalize on all my downtime - yes, it is real and no one is coming to steal it away from you. 

But as for housing, I am constantly thinking or clicking around for possibilities. I love the idea of a mountain retreat, but that doesn't really work with wanting a walkable space. 

I think right now, the bigger inflection point will be where my assets stand on my last day of work or when I reach a million dollars. Whichever comes first.