I’ve given false alarms on this blog before, and it’s very possible that Jesse and I could chicken out and stay where we are in Euless. But it doesn’t make any sense for us to do so. Our rent is high, for no particularly good reason (other than that the complex we live in is only a few years old and has great service). We are 30 min. away from Jesse’s work (orange area 12) AND 20-30 minutes away from mine (green area 15). Plus, we are 30 minutes from church (area 4).
I figure, these are the 3 big factors to consider. Being close to church isn’t just about the 2-3 services/week we try to attend, it’s also about being close to all the people who live there. The Gaspards, the Rodriguez, and Karen are all a 5-10 min. drive (areas 4 and 3), not to mention a few other people who are new (er) friends that we’d like to get to know.
Being close to Jesse’s work is another viable option. Lewisville is still about 30 minutes from church and about the same distance from Southlake (where I work), but it has its advantages. Since it’s a suburb, it’s safer. Since it would be close to Jesse’s work (read: within 5 minutes) he could come home for lunch breaks. We’d be 15 minutes from the Folsom’s (east part of area 12) and 20 minutes from where the Unruhs live in Euless (south part of 15). We know for sure that Jesse has to travel five times a week to work– my piano schedule and our church schedule seem to change weekly.
The option to live next to my work in Southlake doesn’t really seem like an option. The city of Southlake doesn’t even HAVE apartments– the city council/planners have forbidden it. It’s the “poshest” of the posh. Who cares if their hired help wants to live close by– THEY don’t want anyone of a lower income to actually LIVE with them! Grapevine, the neighboring city, is the next closest option, and it’s so close to us (we’re on the border of Grapevine and Euless, part 11), that it really doesn’t seem like something worth moving out of our apartment for. And did I mention that Grapevine is expensive too?
But we have around 2 more months to decide.
That doesn’t keep me from having preferences, very early on in the hunt.
Right now, my MAJOR preference is living in Dallas. I’m trying not to work more than 2-3 days a week, which will mean consolidating and paying someone to babysit. But it’s worth not having to cart G around every afternoon (it’s really hard on him). If I only work those few days, I will have lots of extra free time to consider. Which means that I will want things like play dates and mid-week services at church. So being close to lots of friends would be nice.
There is the problem of being far from both of our jobs. Dallas, in many ways, solves that. We could live right along the Dart Rail’s Green Line, which goes all the way up to Jesse’s work. It’s $60/month for unlimited use, and would sure beat having to spend the extra $ on gas, car insurance and repairs. That would leave our good car, the Toyota, for me to use every day.
The other problem to solve would be the cost of rent. Dallas is much more expensive than the suburbs, especially if you want to find something safe. Living in the city would mean that a gated complex would be a MUST. Video cameras at the gate entrances, preferable. A guard on duty, also preferable. Dallas is no more dangerous than living where we did in Whittier, but then again, we didn’t have a kid back then. I don’t want to be home alone all day, worried that someone might break in (as actually happened to a friend of ours).
Yesterday, on my way to Wednesday night Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, I stopped by an apartment complex in “area 10” of Dallas. It’s a funny sort of neighborhood– up and coming, but definitely not “there” yet. Meaning, on one side is the “hood”. On the other, million dollar mansions. It’s also within eye-shot of Dallas Love Field (about the same distance that we currently live from DFW airport).
The timing worked out great. G was just waking up from the long nap that he took during the drive, so once I nursed him and put him my sling, he was happy as a clam.
I have to say, I truly fell in love with this apartment complex. If it weren’t for a few logistical hiccups, we’d be moving there tomorrow.
And what’s not to love? The apartment’s amenities are (get a load of this!): GRANITE black countertops, wood floors, arched doorways, side by side refrigerators with ice dispensers, plantation crown molding (much bigger than normal), under cabinet lighting, huge kitchen islands with hanging pot racks, beautiful french doors that open onto the patio….it’s so much nicer than we’ve ever had, I don’t think I could bear it.
Their 3 bedroom floor plan is the same square footage as what we have now, but it feels a whole lot bigger (probably because a lot of our square footage gets wasted in our long entryway/stairwell). The living room is 22 feet by 13 (for reference, our current living room is 14×14, so that’s a HUGE difference!)
The master bedroom is a tad bigger than what we currently have, but what I’m really loving is the stand up shower next to the tub. Feels like a real home! And I’ve really liked having two sinks in our bathroom– keeps all of Jesse’s whiskers on HIS side.
Also, I know you’ve noticed the “To garage” door. Yes, it does have an attached garage.
Now, see that part where it says, “Niche” ? That’s an arched impression hollowed out of the wall, with a little shelf. Um, ICON CORNER? Anyone?
I know what you’re saying to yourself. Why, on earth, would the Cones want a 3 bedroom apartment, when 2 would do just fine? I agree. I haven’t been looking at 3 bedroom floorplans, for the most part. Most of the complexes I’ve been looking at don’t even HAVE them. But it just so happens that because this apartment complex’s leasing system is computerized, and varies according to availability, the 3 bedroom is actually A LOT cheaper than any of their 2 bedrooms! Weird, huh? In fact, it’s actually the same price as what we are currently paying.
And trust me, I can think of LOTS of great ways to use that 3rd bedroom. I could make an awesome playroom for Gregory, for starters. We would also have extra room for kids to take naps if/when we had lots of people over. Also, we can’t necessarily rule out the thought of Baby #2…and that is NOT a hint, everyone. Let’s just say, my body isn’t able to make more kids yet, even if I wanted it to (totally TMI, I know, but I haven’t had a “period” since 2009! Kinda weird…).
But for right now, it is all just a dream. A silly, probably over-reaching dream. Most likely, practicality will win and we’ll be in some small, older apartment in Lewisville, being responsible 🙂
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