...because I know you're all waiting with baited breath to hear the latest update.

I passed on the house I went to look at the other day. It was really cute and certainly big enough for me and my home office, but it only had an evaporative cooler, which is fine in Tucson until the monsoons roll in mid-summer.

Look, I have a fat cat who probably already has respiratory problems because he doesn't get enough exercise. I don't want to come home one day to find Leif soaking wet and passed out from choking on humidity. That's a thing that happens, right?

Seriously, my cat is the only creature in the known universe that makes lying around doing nothing look like a chore. He's doing it right now on the floor next to my bed. What's the matter, Leif? Having a hard time holding the floor down?

But I digress. It looks like I'll probably go to a month-to-month lease starting in April, which does help take some of the pressure off. More housing should open up as the snowbirds and students start to leave. You'll certainly be reading more about this. Keep your suggestions coming and thanks for all the help and support you've provided so far!

Labels: housing, personal, rent

I'm having some difficulty identifying a new place to live. This wouldn't be a source of much stress if not for the stipulation in my current lease that I give 30 days' written notice of my intent to vacate. I'm afraid of giving notice and then not having a place to live, or worse, settling on a new place that doesn't meet my admittedly high standards.

I've been all over Craig's List and the pickings are slim. I paid my $50 for a printout from REDI. Not much quality there either. I stopped by Apartment Locators and got only one hit in my price range and very broad geographic range. Hillary walked all up and down Armory Park with me yesterday and what was there was either really run down or way too big for my needs.

So I'm left with some not very appealing options: stay put and sign another 8 month lease here (the shortest available nowadays - they used to offer six-monthers, but no more), give my written notice on Thursday and pray real hard, or decide to try out the whole homeless thing while saving enough for a down payment on a house. Since that last option really isn't one, I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. Actually, a viable third option would be to give notice that I will be going to a month-to-month lease (and paying $150 more per month to do so, which would be good motivation) and ease some of the front-end pressure off me.

I appreciate all the help and thoughtful suggestions I've received from my friends and faithful readers. Please keep passing your leads my way. I'm sure something will turn up eventually.

Update (9:48 PM): About a half hour after I posted this, I received a call back from a landlord who has a two-bedroom house near Fifth and Columbus that I'd driven past over the weekend. I'm going to check it out tomorrow. If the inside is as promising as the outside, I may jump at the opportunity (she has a couple who is also interested, but they have big dogs and she doesn't really want dogs after previous tenants' dogs). It's at the very upper end of my price range, but would still be a marginally smaller percentage of my monthly income than my current place was when I was working for the Center Against Sexual Assault. Stay tuned...

Labels: fear, housing, personal, rent

My lease expires at the end of March and after three years in this apartment, I'm ready to move on. The neighbors have become progressively ruder as the years have worn on, and it often feels like the guy who lives right above me has opened a bowling alley in his apartment.

So I'd prefer to move to a house that's in central Tucson or even downtown. I'd like a two bedroom or a one bedroom with a den/office space. I've been browsing the listings on craigslist but haven't found much that fits my criteria so far. I've also posted a "housing wanted" ad on there that I thought was crystal clear, but apparently some people were still confused.

I am NOT looking to live with another person. I make a bad roommate. I am NOT looking to live in a trailer, even if the park is gated.

I am looking to pay about $800 or less a month. Preferably less. Preferably much less.

I am looking for a place that is unfurnished.

I am looking for a place that will welcome my grumpy, fat, but otherwise affectionate (and non-declawed) four-year-old cat.

So if you have any leads or know of an available place that would suit me, please get in touch with me ASAP. I'm looking for a move in date on or before April 1. Preferably a little before, as I like to have a little leeway with moving and cleaning time.

E-mail me at michael -at- m2powered -dot- com or leave a comment below. I appreciate any help you can provide!

Labels: housing, Leif, moving, personal, rent