posted 5 hours ago
I actually managed it: I purchased my own home, by myself, something I'd almost thought was impossible these days. Of course, I couldn't afford anything in or near the city I grew up in, I had to move to a far cheaper area across the state, where jobs pay less, but I budgeted for multiple scenarios and my house does have a spare room so taking a roommate is an option if things get tight. I couldn't move in until I had a job, so for the first few months I continued living with my parents and took my time moving furniture.
So now I have a new (very old, actually) house, new job, new community. And a lot of work to do with it alone.
The roof is old, but will probably last a few more years. Storage space is... tight. It was the smallest frame house on the market (nothing wrong with trailers, but the idea of having both a mortgage and rent, and not having space for even a garden, didn't sound like an improvement to me) with no garage. There's an 80ft tree in the backyard that may be dying, but my more immediate plant concern is the knotweed that is alarmingly close to my foundation. Anyone have any ideas on controlling knotweed without poison, by the way? Everything I read says it's impossible.
My basement has a dirt floor — it's essentially an extra-deep crawlspace, what we call a Michigan basement, and so not very useful for storage. I was a little annoyed by that at first, but it turned out to save me this spring when so much of the region flooded. Almost everyone I know around here had their basement fill with water, with the sole exception of someone who had just had it sealed last year, so having nothing down there to be damaged meant I was probably the best off out of everyone.
I have just under half an acre total, which is large for being (just barely) within city limits. I won't be keeping any large livestock, but for just myself I don't really need to. I still have quail, which is technically questionable under city zoning, but my next door neighbors with their 12 dogs aren't going to complain, and someone down the street has a definitely illegal chicken rooster. I've considered possibly keeping rabbits as well? Meat rabbits? Not sure yet. Again, high production is not necessary, and I probably need another freezer first anyway. I'm starting to plan out my garden and mini orchard now; I want a row or two of fruit trees and some perennials, and the soil will need much work, and I may have to consider how the water and sunlight will change if the old tree has to come down...
Over all, I don't regret it. I have a lot of maintenance and repair work to do, and some organizational challenges (putting up shelves will help! Maybe eventually I'll even have a garage), but I can make all those decisions myself.
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