Well, I DID IT! I gave notice of my intent to vacate my apartment by the end of May. It was a very scary step to take --- but a necessary one. Even though my rent is extremely reasonable by Los Angeles standards (a little under $800/month for a studio apartment in an old building), its more than I can afford; its comfortably over 2/3 of my total income. And here in L.A. the standard amount for getting into an apartment is at least 3 times the monthly rent amount (first months rent + last months rent + security deposit, which is usually at least the amount of a months rent). Where in the world would I get $2400 - $3000 cash now? And, theres a very long waiting list for any kind of affordable housing around here. So, Ive needed to get out of here for a very long time, but was reluctant to take the step of leaving this apartment where Ive lived for almost 14 years. Well, my hand was forced: Due to a set of circumstances over which I had little control, not only was I not able to pay my rent (which is due on the 1st of every month) on the 3rd (when I receive my social security check and usually pay it), but not even on the 6th (when my bank told me Id have funds available, and as Id promised my landlords). In a panic, I asked on Facebook if someone could LOAN me money, which Id repay with interest; I received no offers, so I felt I had no alternative but to give Notice --- which I did. My exact offer to the management company was this, which will work out well for all of us: Ill pay my March rent in three increments, in March, April, and May; in the meantime, Ill pay April and Mays rent on the 3rd of each of those months. So, by the end of May, when Ill move out, I will have paid all that I owe my landlords. Its a step I should have taken long ago, and now that Ive done it, I feel much better --- I know exactly how Atlas would feel if he couldve laid the world down. Frankly, its unlikely that I can find an apartment that I can afford here in L.A., so Im pretty sure Im going to have to move back home to Oklahoma City, and Im hell-bent on proving Thomas Wolfe wrong when he made his famous remark about going home again (he said that you CANT, but Im going to!). Anyway: If anybody can suggest where I might consider moving, Im open. It does NOT have to be in the L.A. area (although I love the climate and cultural diversity here, and Id LOVE to go back to Val Verde or Fillmore) or in OKC. Ill consider anything.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 12:50:15 +0000
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