Lessons Learned

What they say really is true - you learn something new every day.  For me, today was more of a confirmation of what I already knew.  I want a house.

I spent my Saturday driving to about 6 different apartment complexes through the metroplex.  You'd think that as large an area as the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is, it'd be easy to find a decently-priced, one bedroom/one bath, pet-friendly (not requiring me to sign over my first born child) apartment, in a neighborhood in which I would feel safe walking without an AK-47 strapped to my back.  Not that I'd actually be comfortable shooting one, although I have before, I just wouldn't want to lug it around all day to feel safe.  It's really not that much to ask for, unless, of course, you're asking any property management group in the DFW area.

I saw places with kitchens not large enough to cook in with a microwave only.  I saw places in bad areas.  I saw places with unwarranted, outrageously-high price tags.  I saw places with people showing the apartments who were not even interested in showing the apartments.  I found one with potential, but it's not exactly what I'm looking for.  It was then, and only then, that I finally let myself realize a few things.

First, nothing I find will be perfect.  Why, you ask?  Because I am picky.  Side note:  I HATE paying so much money for an apartment.  You don't even own anything by the time you're done paying all that money for it.  With my car, I pay every month. At the end of the loan, I own the car.  It's an amazing thing.

Which leads me to the second realization - I want a house.  I want a yard for Beaux to run and play whenever he wants.  I want a house to decorate for holidays.  I want to have something that is my own.  I cannot wait to have that, someday.

Until then, though, I will continue to search for as near to a perfect apartment as I can find.  I'll appreciate the roof I have over my head for the time being, and I'll really appreciate the new one I find when the time is right (which better be before April when my lease is up).

So....the hunt continues.