Here’s the debate: to move, or not to move, to a higher apartment? Last night’s tenant’s meeting revealed extensive remodeling plans for my building, and we’ll all be kicked out. Of course, the very reason I live there in the first place, is that my last apartment complex was gutted for reno’s and we were all kicked out! It’s deja vu all over again.
We’ll be forced to leave in about 18-24 months. And stay out for 12-18 months. Sigh. I just renewed, but can change apartments basically any time. If all goes according to plan, I would want to move back in — Del Ray is too awesome to leave.
We tenants who showed up to the meeting, about 20 out of more than 200 residents, were of course the segment of the population who are interested in staying. We peppered the management with questions about new rent, and I was quite blunt about the previous reno I’d been through. I think the managers were surprised at how direct our questions were. But hey, guys? There’s people in this building that have lived here since the the place was new! We’re not kidding around about being long-term renters! In the end, they did promise to give us specific new rent numbers and they promised the apartments would be about the same size.
Look. I understand that they’re going to charge more, that’s fine. But at my last residence, it was 40 percent more, for a 25 percent smaller apartment. Uh, no. However, that complex did have prices that were well below market; this building is only maybe 5-10% below. And really, the building will be much better; freight elevators, pool open all year, garage parking, green space, washers and dryers, etc. And no more electropocalypses (I hope). So…move now, or just suck it up and stay where I am? If I move now, I’d get this back:
North-East view from my apartment, as it was when I moved in
(I lost the view of the Dome to new construction.) But where shall I go in the interim? It’s all very stressful, and I don’t want to think about it. What shall I do?
Oh, and it turns out I owe $14 in Federal taxes. Argh.
Come on, world…give me something to take my mind off this stuff!
