I am looking to move to another apartment and it brings up a whole lot of considerations. It always does. It is a stressful time. The packing. The hunting down a place. The move itself. All of it is stressful.
Cost
I am on disability. So there is a matter of affordability. And there is the further consideration of Future affordability in a city that seems to not be that affordable. I hear the rent prices are not on the rise now, but it is always a concern. Because I tell you what is Not on the rise and that is disability payments. That never seems to be a consideration for the government.
Location
I want a location that has at least some amenities within a close distance for my mobility issues. I can’t drive, for one thing. I have a lot of issues riding the bus as well which has been a huge issue for me. Partly because stops may not be within my walking distance and partly because cognitive issues make it like a puzzle I can’t solve for some horrific reason. So walking distance, for me, areas are really beneficial for me.
If I move closer to home the bus system is simple and that I can handle and some of it is on demand and that is even better. If I stay in the city, that is a whole different story. I still do not even know the city all that well. And most of it is not walk friendly- for the short distances I can cross at this time.
Mobility issues
I have a preference for an elevator but it is rare in my cost range. So then first or second floor is my next preference. I am not fond of stairs and they are not fond of me- with my drop foot and leg weakness. I navigate them fine if slowly. On good days but not well at all on bad days.
But then there is future mobility issues that are always on my mind, a worry that is constantly there. So I would love an elevator. Man, that would be awesome for the worries I have.
The move itself
I can’t move anything myself. Hell, packing is an ordeal. So I have to have sufficient money saved for a moving company. I don’t have much stuff really and keep downsizing to accommodate smaller living spaces. Since I have no vehicle it is not like I can even partly move some stuff myself, even if I could manage it.
Chronic pain and chronic illness
It causes me a great deal of pain getting stuff packed and unpacked. Cleaning the old place- that is draining as all hell. Not an enjoyable venture at all. With MS it can trigger weakness and drop foot. The whole ordeal is exhausting. And not one day. Even shopping around for apartments is exhausting.
But it has to be done so I will have to push through. As we do for these sorts of things. As we do.
The Future
What always worries me is that if I find a place to call home it will not be home for long. Either rising costs or something happens with my health making it unsuitable for my needs. It worries me because I just want to settle into a place long-term. Just have a home not a place to stay. But this sort of thing happens when you go on disability. Because your income isn’t really there for much else. So you do what you must to get by with what you have.
Change is always intimidating. And I hope to find a nice little studio or 1 bedroom that suits my current needs. There is not much inventory out there at this time of year but I will see what I can find. And hopefully I will be out and moved by April.
Chronically Nikki 
Leave a comment