(no subject)

[theatokos]

I'm feeling very down today. Bennett has been on a a three week (2 weeks? time is losing its meaning) massive growth spurt, developmental and physical, and I am run down. So run down that I need to make a doctor's appointment to discuss why my hips to my feet continue to hurt so badly. I ache as badly as right before B was born. My knees will no longer let me bend down and push up with out holding on to something for support. I am also running a very low grade fever.

And, I'm getting depressed about housing prices in the Bay Area. Yesterday's tournament was in a wonderful middle class neighborhood, with yards and flowers and trees. A place where kids were playing outside and I could easily imagine kids trick-or-treating on their own in groups and no one would fear for their saftey. Yes, it was the burbs, but it beats our shitty street hands down.

I'm tired of being allergic to something. Tired of being uninspired to go for walks in my own neighborhood, tired of the transient nature of the area. So I looked at rent prices in other neighborhoods and parts of the Bay Area. Holy crap, I am not paying $1500 for a two bedroom apartment. We pay $1330 for a (very nice) "2 bedroom" (one bedroom with a dining room with doors) on a crappy street. I feel more than a little trapped here. I'm trying hard not to be a victim about this. But for today I am down about it.

To cheer me up, here are pictures that Adam's cousin took of B 2 weeks ago. He is noticably larger now, but I think these are gorgeous.

Comments

[jesamin.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness, he's adorable. His sweet little face!!!!

[inkprincess.livejournal.com]

soooo cute!!!

[rebbyribs.livejournal.com]

If it's not out of your geographical considerations, you might want to look at Castro Valley. We've put in an offer on a 3BR house about a mile away from BART, and it's going to cost us about $1300 per month in mortgage if we get it and go with a 30-year loan. A quick look on Craigslist seems to indicate 2 and 3BR rentals in that price range as well. After living in Fruitvale for the past 1.5 years, it looks wonderfully safe and wholesome.

It drives me nuts that modest houses most of the nice neighborhoods in the Bay Area are $600K and up. I just don't see how anyone can afford it.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Several complicating factors:
We don't own a car
I have issues with commuting, on principle
I don't actually want to be living here

[rebbyribs.livejournal.com]

We don't own a car either. (Well technically I do because my brother-in-law in New Mexico still hasn't done the transfer paperwork...) It's always a major factor in finding housing, because we need to be able to walk to BART and grocery shopping. Are you familiar with Walkscore (http://www.walkscore.com) for evaluating if a particular address is in a walkable neighborhood?

[honeyrider.livejournal.com]

we pay $1,250 for a one bedroom. granted it's a huge one bedroom with a kitchen large enough to be made into another bedroom, but our bathroom and said kitchen were last remodeled in 1970. we are looking to move into a 2BR come february and i'm afraid to start looking around. prices in metropolitan areas are killer.

those pictures are gorgeous! i never realized b has blue eyes, much less just how blue they are.

[snowcalla.livejournal.com]

Being tired, sick, and in pain over a long period of time affects a person's mental state. I hope the Dr. is able to help you!

Another friend of mine is really bummed that she is in an apartment and not a house. She wants a house soooo bad. Her apartment is EXTREMELY nice, but it's an apartment without a yard. I felt the same way - plus my apartment was (literally) crack-whore territory. That's fun with a young child. Justin had a friend sleep over and for entertainment that evening they stood out on the balcony and watched the car burn in the apartment parking lot. The real excitement came when the tires popped. I bet that kid's parents were really impressed with us.

[sapphire-kittum.livejournal.com]

*hugs* hope you feel better soon!

He is just adorable! I totally love that last picture of him, he's just so happy!

[keypike.livejournal.com]

He's adorable. He has a very intelligent look about him.

Long-term pain can absolutely affect your overall mood and outlook. I hope the doctor can help.

[eelsalad.livejournal.com]

Dunno if it'll make you feel better, but the hubby and I are paying nearly $1900/mo for our little 2br/2ba apt, largely because of location. At least house prices are coming down, slowly but surely -- that should help lower rent prices as well.

I'll second what other commenters have said: long-term pain will mess with your head. I've had chronic pain of one sort or another since about sixth grade, and I can tell you it definitely changes things. Hang in there. If you want somebody to talk pain with, gimme a holler.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

My sister, a nurse, wants me to see a doctor pronto to find out if I just have continued heightened levels of relaxin. If not she wants me to have my thyroid checked, get a fibromyalgia screening and see a Rheumatologist. Go sis.

No, your rent doesn't make me feel better - it freaks me out even more! I don't see these apartments worth that much!! Combined Adam and I make less than $50k a year and these prices are killing us. Well, killing me. I need more trees. Or I will go insane.