Monday, January 25, 2016

The First Weekend

Well, it was not really my first weekend in the new apartment, but in some ways it felt as if it was. Though the possession date for the purchaser taking over the house was January 15th, a week ago last Friday, my fraction of the price, and the papers documenting the sale, and completing it, in my mind, did not come to me until this past Monday. This most recent weekend, therefore, was the first during which I felt that my connection with the house was finally over, and the apartment was my home.

So how is it feeling, this new residence of ours? It is smaller than the house, of course, so I have to be a bit more thoughtful regarding storage space. To be honest, I think it doesn’t have much less storage space than the house. I noticed that when a house’s basement is developed and finished, it becomes living space, rather than storage space. There was storage under the stairs and in the furnace room - which, by the way, is mostly taken up by furnace. Everything that I intended to keep has been kept and packed away with a bit more rationality than it was. I was not able to retain one bulky cat-tree, though it has gone into storage with the rescue-group of which I am part. I am glad that I kept the ‘cylinder-house’ cat-tree, as that has become Renn’s favourite spot in the apartment. It is not meant for putting by a window, so placing it in the corridor doesn’t make it less useful.



The apartment is, on average, warmer than the house. I think that has to do with less space needing heat, but also with the fact that there are other heated flats piled around mine. The cats still use the heated beds, even so, but find other places in which to relax. Tucker seems able to collapse anywhere and enjoy it.



The beasts’ transition to the new home has been almost without noticeable stress. Cammie did become ill but has recovered fully. I don’t believe that had something to do with the surroundings. My princess is a sensitive creature but I would have thought she would be more affected by the actual move; a delayed reaction is not unreasonable, however.


In terms of location, the apartment is central in the city in which I live, but farther away from the lower-priced and discount grocery stores I use. It is also more distant from my veterinarian, but in any case, I would ride in an automobile to the cats’ appointments regardless, so that makes little practical difference. Josie’s surgery was unaffected by our new location. My Chubs bounced back very well from that ordeal and, though she is still taking the last of her pills, seems largely unfazed by it, especially now that she is able to eat her hard-food again. The Great White is once more in fine, if rotund, form.




I am pleased with the new abode. There are disadvantages (I would prefer an upper, rather than ground, floor; an upper floor is, I feel, more secure, and suffers less from dust and dirt in the spring and summer), but these are out-weighed by the benefits. It costs less than my house did. Even were I to lose my job and have to survive on unemployment payments (roughly reckoned to be about 55% of one’s previous wage), I would be able to squeeze by - barely, but definitely. I like that my library, albeit small and constricted, is on the main (only) floor of my home. That is convenient for me.



The utilities are included in the rent, which is low, relative to other apartments’, so I need not worry about leaving a light on, or raising the temperature. And of course, this particular apartment building allows cats at no extra charge, which cannot be said for any other rental property I considered before my move. I am not the only tenant with cats, nor even the only tenant with four cats.

I was lucky, both to sell my house in a period of economic descent, and in finding the new apartment. It feels like home to me, a cosy refuge for me and the cats. This first weekend saw the foundation of new routines. I look forward to many more satisfying days in our new home.

17 comments:

  1. it sounds like a wonderful cozy place

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  2. Everything has turned out well for you, I'm so glad! It looks like all the cats have adjusted well and have many spots to flake out. You certainly are a tidy man!
    Take care.

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  3. It looks like you are all settling very well in your new home!! Well done on a relatively stress free transition!

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  4. We're glad the move went so well and that it has become "home" to you all very quickly. :-)

    Purrs and peace.

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  5. Such a wonderfully positive update. Glad you are all settled in.

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  6. It seems both you and the cats have settled into your new apartment with little difficulty, and that's great!! Your new home looks beautiful, and I loved the pictures of the cats. It looks like the move didn't bother them at all.

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    1. Thank you for your comments. If I've learned one thing from owning a house, it is to keep on top of the cleaning. A few minutes here and there may be inconvenient but they save hours later, say, on weekends.

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  7. Glad to hear you are all settling in so well. It looks like a really fine apt. and the kitties look right at home. Deb

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  8. I am glad to hear you feel so content and that the cats do as well.

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  9. Thank you for the update on everyone. I am so happy that you and the dear beasties have all settled in so well. It is good to count one's blessings and you certainly seem to have found a lovely apartment with so many advantages. I much prefer living in an apartment over a house - much easier to clean! I am fortunate in Toronto, to be allowed to have pets in rental apartments and landlords must allow pets (condo rentals are a different matter.) thank you for the update on Josie.

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    1. Lethbridge, where I live, is behind the times in many ways; the manner in which it allows the penalising of pet-owners by landlords is one of them.

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  10. I am glad you have all settled in so well and the new apartment so quickly felt like hole. Renn certainly seems to appreciate the positioning of the cat tree.

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  11. guys....home iz wear de heart iz sew peepulz all wayz say & it sounds & looks like yur heartz R all in de rite spot !! indeed yur dad wuz verree for chew nate ta find a place that allows catz......round heer it can be next ta imposs a bull ♥♥♥ heerz two manee happee yeerz a head ♥♥♥

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  12. Oh how good to read that everyone has adjusted to their new home. And that Josie is doing so well and even allowed her hard crunchies now. Seeing kitties on the bed is just so homey and lovable.

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  13. It's wonderful to hear Josie continues to do well. We're keeping her in our prayers.
    Having a sense of security about one's living arrangements has to be one of the best feelings ever. And utilities included is certainly a blessing. If the heater were to fail, you could plug in an electric radiator or two and stay warm and toasty without draining your bank account. Also, a lower floor flat is usually cooler in the summer.
    Your place looks lovely, the cats are happy, and you're secure. Looks like things are working out for the best.

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    1. Yes, there is much to recommend a good home, especially in times of financial uncertainty. I am pleased with the way things have worked out - pleased and lucky.

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  14. I'm glad everything has been finalized and you and the cats have settled in so well. I think home can be pretty much anywhere as long as we have some of our personal effects with us, and of course, our cats too.

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