Repositioning the dream

Last week was a week of reality checks. I'm taking it really well, relieved in fact, which tells me I'm doing the right thing by not rushing this.

The plain truth is even if we liquidated a portion of my 401(k) (which I am willing to do, if it means starting a new life in a new place), we wouldn't have enough money and our credit isn't in good enough shape yet to move. So we'll be renewing the lease here in Jax. That hurts, of course, because the apartment really is a pit, and we've been there for 11 years now. But it's necessary. So the dream shifts again.

Haven't given up, of course...far from it. Want to renew the lease for just 7 months...need to get with the complex, see if they're going to charge more for that over the 12. Can't stand the idea of going another 12, and that would make us out of here next March, which is a good month to move.

It's helped me see what I want in a house and in a home. When I say house, I mean the initial rental; when I say home, I mean when we're able to buy. How much land I want, what kind of animals I'd like to raise on that land, what amenities I'm looking for in a house. Feeds the dream nicely.

North Carolina's still very much in the cards...we're visiting the inlaws in SC next month, and I'm hoping to get to Charlotte at least, to look around. In the meantime, I continue to live vicariously through Cold Antler Farm, I've started Les's social security disability paperwork again finally, and I'm working on a promotion to help finance the dream.

Wow. Work cut out for me.

Just started a list of potential expenses for the move to NC. It's a tall order.

I used to be quite the list maker, anal Virgo and all that, but it's dropped off significantly in recent years and with it, my personal/mental/physical organization. It's not pretty, but this isn't about that. It's about looking at a list and thinking, damn, I've got some serious work to do and it all hinges on things I'm not even sure are realistic yet.

Like will our credit even allow us to move?

Like what if I can't find a decent paying job?

Those are the biggies. But those concerns aside, it's a matter of making lists that spring off of this list, and compiling information through research, to determine the true costs and how to make them work for this move. I think I have the money, and there's a ceiling I wish/we have to honor as to how much of that money is used; so it's time to iron out the details.

The first list, Potential Expenses:

1. New house (rental)
a. Application fee
b. First months' rent
c. Security deposit equal to one months' rent
d. Possible realtor commission
e. Landlord bribe :) (hopefully just kidding)

2. Moving van (UHaul, Budget, Penske, etc.) & boxes

3. House amenities
a. Washer/dryer rental or purchase (thinking we rent first, save to purchase)
b. Lawn mower (unless we're lucky enough to have a landlord that offers landscaping, but I'm not holding my breath...this is an expense that can maybe wait until the first paycheck or two of a new job)
c. Couch (we're throwing the old one out; it's not making the trip with us)

4. Utilities
a. New deposits/installation costs
1. Water/sewer
2. Electric/gas
3. Cable (initially, though Les is itching for a dish, so ?)
4. Garbage/recycling

5. Food/drink bribes for Cyril and friends to come help us load the truck on moving day.

More later...let the research begin!