I visited my sister and her fiancée’s new place today and dropped off a bunch of stuff that she had been storing in my basement and guest room. They now have a very cute corner house in North Saint Paul which is perfect for them to grow into. A nice back yard with lots of areas to garden, big rooms with a lot of flexibility and overall a living space with a lot of personality. I think they got a good deal and it’s a place that seems perfect for them. It’s very cool. I can’t wait to move more stuff to their place that’s sitting here at mine.
Which got me thinking again about my house and why I don’t really think I need most of these same things that Amy and Casey have.
It’s been bugging me for months.
I closed on my place in October 2004. I’ve had roommates for almost the entire time. Roommate Matt is moving out this next month and roommate Allen is moving by the end of September. I don’t plan on replacing either of them. This leaves me with much too much house and it doesn’t leave me with any disposable income either. Tie onto the fact that I have almost zero interest in home improvements, building a new garage, maintaining my gardens and keeping up a three bedroom house myself. It’s leading me to start searching for something smaller. Right now, I’m looking at condos primarily.
I love Longfellow, but I’m not attached enough to be set on staying here. I could see myself living in either downtown or a number of neighborhoods in Minneapolis or Saint Paul. In some ways I really miss my old 7th floor loft in Saint Paul. I came to Longfellow originally for the neighborhood, proximity to both downtowns and the easy commute. It is pretty darn good on all counts. When I lived in the Battle Creek neighborhood of Saint Paul (damn those photos bring back memories) I felt a little too far away. I’m looking around.
I don’t know what I’m going to do, really. Maybe I’ll find some way where I’ll realize staying here will work out a couple more years and I’ll get the motivation to redo my kitchen and paint that ugly spare bedroom I said I was going to do two years ago.
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We were in downtown North St. Paul just on Saturday and thought of you. There used to be a cute little diner. It’s been shut down for a few years and the building is empty. You should check it out sometime. It’s a small white structure. The point is: we think you would be a great diner/restaureant owner. You could really make it fun and have a real following. Maybe, that should be your next step.
Posted 30 Apr 2007 at 08:28 ¶While I agree that’d be fun, I am very uncreative when it comes to food. I’m a picky eater. That and it’s very hard work and it’s a hard market here!
But yeah, that would be fun. Hum….
Posted 30 Apr 2007 at 08:35 ¶Just because you own it doesn’t mean you have to cook and since you are the owner, you can dictate whatever you want to serve. Your favorites. That’s the beauty of it. It’s Aaron’s place.
Anyway, just let the idea sink in for a while.
Posted 30 Apr 2007 at 08:56 ¶One of the other 3 units in my building just went on the market.
Posted 30 Apr 2007 at 11:37 ¶Now I’m totally fascinated, Aaron.
1. You’re really good about describing your thought process about everything in general.
2. I’ve been listening to other friends of mine talk about how they need huge houses for months and it’s refreshing to hear someone take the opposite tack.
3. I’m always interested to hear about what folks do and don’t like about all the neighborhoods in the TC.
4. I just, for the first time ever, started to consider the potential possibility of maybe someday buying something m’self. So even though everyone’s been doing this forever, I’ve just now started to pay attention.
Posted 30 Apr 2007 at 14:00 ¶I say that if loft living was the right size for you move back. No use having a house that you feel doesnt fit right.
Posted 30 Apr 2007 at 18:55 ¶Let me know if you need help painting when I get back we should be able to get it done in a day.
Posted 30 Apr 2007 at 21:22 ¶You could rent the out the entire house and get a condo too. (land lord..) Or what about those home swap things. Let some family live in your house for a couple weeks and you live in theirs.
Posted 01 May 2007 at 09:28 ¶Andy’s onto something with that Rental thing, but you’d have to figure what you’d do if they quit paying or it stands empty. One bad tenant can break you in that situation
Posted 02 May 2007 at 08:50 ¶-b
I have been out to eat with Aaron numerous times and have first hand knowledge of what his “favorites” are. From that list I have created the menu of “Aaron’s Place” for Tricia:
Aaron’s restaurant, Meowing at you Downtown, dinner menu follows…
Appetizers:
#1: Shocker Mozzarella Sticks with no dipping sauce.
#2: Beer
Entrees:
#1: Grilled Cheese with a side of French fries served with beer.
#2: Pizza with succulent slices of pepperoni and fresh garlic served with beer or wine (depending on your mood).
#3: Fried popcorn shrimp served plain and with a glass of wine.
#4: Fish and chips served with HP sauce and beer.
Lighter fare:
#1: This little number is my own take on a Winona Sandwich Shop favorite… The Hunk of Bread — plain.
Posted 02 May 2007 at 19:41 ¶Tricia- I did actually start thinking about it… and talked to our friend Dave about it too. Hrum…!
Ang- Thanks for the follow-up links and such… I think it might be just a tad bit small for what I need… but certainly the right direction. You’ve gotten me seriously considering Saint Paul again too.
laespiat- Agreed.
Erica- Yeah, it is a bit weird, isn’t it? My logic is, why pay for a whole house when you’re only using 4 rooms (and not using the yard or anything either)?
Seth- Depending on the timing, I may take you up on that.
Andy/briz- When it all adds up, I don’t think it’d play well in my favor… and being a landlord to tenants is something I’m trying to get away from.
Bill- OMG you owned me so bad.
Posted 03 May 2007 at 11:50 ¶I didn’t realize you were a longfellon too!
Sure you want to leave? It’s getting better everyday!
Posted 03 May 2007 at 16:16 ¶Reetsyburger- Awe… I don’t really know if I do or not. I really love the neighborhood. I really do.
I just added you to my RSS reader, too.
Posted 03 May 2007 at 19:33 ¶Aww…such a pretty house that is. And yours too. Makes me anxious to move out of this 1br apt and into something a little bigger for the kitties–they need more room to run!
Posted 03 May 2007 at 23:01 ¶no dipping sauces? are you crazy?
Posted 04 May 2007 at 10:25 ¶Taylor, he is.
Posted 06 May 2007 at 20:59 ¶s4xton - Are you gonna register for wi-fi? It’s coming to Longfellow this week. I heard that it might be slower than our wireless connection through Comcast. Any thoughts?
Posted 09 May 2007 at 09:42 ¶Reetsyburger-
It will be much slower that Comcast. I probably will not switch because my roommate is dependent on cable and the speed difference is pretty significant. :-/
Posted 09 May 2007 at 10:13 ¶Dude, I think you totally need to downsize by selling your house and buying the one I’m about to list! It’s 1br + den and totally refurbished - for (I’m guessing) half what you paid for your place.
I’ll invite you to the house warming/selling party so you can see for yourself…
Posted 16 May 2007 at 21:31 ¶Ranty- Although I haven’t been considering living in North (that’s where you’re at, right?), I would be interested in the selling party. Email: aaron@ this domain, or use the contact form in the upper right of the page.
Cheers.
Posted 17 May 2007 at 06:03 ¶Post a Comment