Stay or go

Another spring arrives and another decision about whether to move. I hate moving. I hate planning to move. But I'm always looking for a better deal.

I should feel pretty good as it is. Taking advantage of the last downturn in the early part of the decade and through a couple of shrewd moves, I've gotten my rent down to a ridiculously low level. If I renew my lease I will be paying just 16% more than I did when I signed my first lease in Chicago 14 years ago. Yes, that was downtown -- but now I have triple the space.

But now I'm thinking, how cool would it be to lower my monthly payment by almost 20%? I have that opportunity, but there would be some trade-offs. AND some cool pluses. A back yard. Central air. Responsible management. Pipes that don't freeze.

Of course, if I had my druthers, I'd be lowering it 50% through what the adults call a co-habitation-type arrangement. But that's not in the cards. At least not this year. Which is too bad. It's something I never in my life wanted seriously until a couple of years ago, but now ... well, it would be nice. (And not just because of the cost savings.)

Anyway, I probably won't do it. There are a few very important things here I haven't found in another place. A perfect location, lots of space, and lots of light.

But who knows how I'll feel in a few days when the place above me is occupied again for the first time in many, many months. It's been SOOO peaceful since Stompy up and left!