Moving on Up

A few years ago I would have been able to get a home loan with no problem. In fact, in 2002 I was approved for a loan at the age of 22 and making less than 25k a year. After looking at houses and all the costs that went into them, I realized that I really couldn't afford a house. With taxes, insurance, maintenance and everything else I knew that I would be quickly underwater. Well I know first hand how the mortgage industry crumbled. Loans were handed out like candy.

Now, almost 10 years later, I have my college degree and have a stable career making good money. However, I can't get a home loan. My debt to income ratio is messed up because of student loans. Plus they just aren't lending as easily any more.

So recently when my lease was due for renewal on my apartment of four years, I wondered what I was going to do. I've been VERY unhappy there. Management has changed and is now terrible. I thought by the time I was 30 I'd be living in a house and maybe even married. But life rarely goes as you plan when you're younger, so I'm making adjustments.


Instead of renewing my lease, I decided to move. Its not cool being in a place where you are not happy to come home. I work better under pressure, so I gave my 30-day notice without a clue of where I was going to live. So that meant a lot of quick looking, and even beginning to pack before I had a place.

Some friends and family kept suggesting areas where I didn't want to move.I considered moving closer to my job, but thought it was more important to be near the things I do, which is in the Detroit/Dearborn area, not Oakland County. I have finally found my dream place. And though I will only be renting, I think I can make this a pretty cool place until the market gets better and I can get my own home.

I'm moving to a quiet subdivision, into a duplex. I have a garage and a basement. No more wiping the snow off the car! Washer and dryer, so no complaining about other people leaving clothes. Newly remodeled kitchen with tons of cabinets, great because I love cooking and have really come to appreciate a dishwasher. No one living above me or below me. Plus a backyard, that faces the golf course, so I can invite friends over for a barbecue. So I'm excited, I'm finally moving on.