Melanie and I were talking today about the mental adjustment we’re going through in our new house. I’m having a hard time grasping that we’re not going to be moving from this house for some time, hopefully. Yet, we’ve both been apartment dwellers for so long it’s hard to settle in. In my case, I’ve lived in six different places in the last seven years. I’ve practically been a nomad.
When we got the new desk yesterday, we spent a little time trying to figure out where to store it. I’d had the unconscious reflex that we need to keep it in case we had a use for it in “the next place” we live. Likewise, Melanie’s been holding on to the area rug that had been in the girls’ room in the old apartment. Since we have wall-to-wall carpet we have no use for it, so she finally listed it on Freecycle.
We really are going to stay here for a long time, God willing, and so we can get rid of anything that doesn’t fit our needs in this place. I know we’ll get mentally adjusted at some point soon. Still takes getting used to.
I believe I can share the adjustment you are going through, only in reverse.
Since I was a child, I have lived in a private home. First in Queens, NY and then on Long Island.
When Hubby and I got married we lived in an apartment while we were saving for a house.
We lived there for seven years.
I couldn’t stand it!
Although it was a garden apartment, I could hear footsteps all the time. I could even hear the conversations of my neighbors, especially during their arguments. Also, I could smell what my neighbors were cooking that day.
Hubby and I are now owners of our own home. We are still on Long Island.
Sure, there are inconveniences, such as mowing the lawn, shoveling the snow, etc., but there is nothing like having a house of your own where you can feel safe, secure and content.
You will understand very soon.
Best of luck to you, Melanie and those gorgeous little girls.
I don’t think it’s the reverse since we’re having that adjustment too. It’s so nice not to hear our neighbors anymore. Our first apartment had the “drummer” next door. Our last place, well, the nice young lady had boyfriend problems during the year we were there. Plus in both places, the houses were nearly on top of those next door.
It is a nice feeling.
I find this interesting because we are doing the reverse. We are coming from homeownership to renters again, and I really like it. I don’t have to deal with repairs and stuff, and we are not stuck in the burbs like we were before. I think owning a home is great, and I hope we do in the future. I am glad you found a place to settle in. Moving 6 times in the past 7 years is a lot.
I’m in my mid-40’s and LOVED being an apartment holder until about 10 years ago. I lived in maybe 10-12 different places. I loved moving around – for the most part.
I still have one apartment hang-over——I don’t hang pictures. Nail holes – hated covering them everytime I moved. I think I stopped hanging pictures at about my 5th apartment move.
some day . . . .
I had this same mentality until sometime this summer, maybe early fall. This was supposed to be our “starter house” and we were going to be here “only a couple, maybe three years.” To the point I was reluctant to plant spring flowers the fall before.
It’s been seven years of this. With the real estate market here in Michigan like it is, who knows? It could be seven more.
So I’ve just decided to start treating this place like we will be here. We’ve got a garden started, I’m planning a rose bush… We’re going to bloom where we’re planted.