I can’t move, after all: I didn’t find a place to move to in the month after which I’d told my Property Manager I would be gone.
Of all the places I found – not sure how many, but probably around a dozen – there were three I really and truly wanted: one was in the CBD, one in Malvern and one in Carlton. The first one I was rejected for without explanation – this is the bit that hurts, when they tell you no but go on advertising the place – the second I was mucked about by an expert mucker-abouter to whom I passed on that he’s una pezza di merda because he has an Italian name; and the third was the very last place I saw.
It was a dear little newish place with everything I must have – a bedroom, dishwasher and split system, and in a simply gorgeous environment of trees and plants. However ! it seems I have finally achieved a degree of common sense, for I didn’t even apply .. It is in the middle of – like, nothing. Other residential buildings, all nice and equally nicely landscaped. Not a shop in sight of any kind at all. Sure, only six or seven minutes’ walk to the tram, but one must actually travel on it to reach the Carlton shops in Lygon Street. Here all I need do to reach my delightful pharmacist is manage the ghastly intersection of Leicester, Victoria and Elizabeth Streets with their array of slow lights and Bob’s yer uncle. And I mention Cheryl’s pharmacy because an old fart of my age is in frequent need of same, just to keep up with her scripts, let alone buy hair bleach, non-soap bodywash and so forth.
And knowing me, the prospect of those unavoidable minutes of walking before being able to go anywhere would render me even more likely to sit in my lovely big recliner chair, crocheting, with Boodie between my shins.
I think these lovely little flats were designed for students who have scooters or bikes, for there is a nice big empty space just inside the front door, absolutely suitable to park one of these. Whilst I would give my back teeth to have someone teach me how to ride an e-scooter, I wouldn’t be able to count on there being one nearby whenever I needed it.
So, I turned my back on it, with great sadness. As my sister Paula and I agreed by phone, I wasn’t meant to move at this time.
What in the name of all the gods I’m going to do come the end of May – chissà ? Something will turn up. Maybe aged care. Oh jesus ..
DOWNUNDER WITH BOODZ 
May is a way off, MR … it’s good to be prepared but I’ve learnt one lesson in life which is not to worry about things before I have to because things can change. I’m so glad you have a sister to toss this all around with, though.
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I think I would’ve gone quite bonkers had Paula not been down there in Tassie but ever so reachable by phone, text and email ! 🙂
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Sisters! So special. I’m so glad you have her. Where in Tasmania is she?
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Huon Valley; small holding with some sheep, some cattle and many chooks. Her husband looks after them all and she keeps working as Chair of a couple of Ethics groups for various unis and companies.
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Oh wow, good for her. Pretty area too.
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I think we all forget that to live in a more peaceful environment there is a natural tradeoff. We pay for many of our conveniences by living in the center of activity, which sometimes feels very inconvenient! What a conundrum! I am confident that in the months between now and May you will have plenty of time to evaluate not just what you would like, but gain an even clearer vision of what you need! Meanwhile, I think you’ll find a strategy for putting up with the noise outside of. your apartment! I feel for you, but I’m also very glad you have your sister as a sounding board.
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You are as wise and lucid as always, beautiful Debra – thank-you for your input, so practical and relevant ! I am beginning to become a little anxious, now; Property Managers are quite definitely not keen on oldies – why, I can’t think .. logic would decree us to be desirable as tenants. It’s the landlords who have the final say; but they are mostly influenced by the PMs. 😦 The anxiety is enhanced by the fact that I am, I believe, ageing more rapidly than of yore; and if my skin gets any more transparent I shall look like The Invisible Woman caught in transition .. But anyway, we shall see. I count on your comments, you know.
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I am really bothered to think that age is responsible for you being turned away at the one apartment. And perhaps you’re sensing this broadly. After I stopped coloring my hair I noted several exchanges with the public where I would label “age” as a reason I was offended. There’s truth to it! I’m sure you’ll find just the right place this coming spring, my friend. Not everyone has this ridiculous and unreasonable bias! 💔
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It’s true, not everyone will be like that. I shall stop feeling sorry for myself. 🙂 XO
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Is there nothing you like ?
Is the price of rent too high? An availability crisis Jeez M-R poor bugger 🥴🥰❤️
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Liked = the 3 mentioned. Didn’t like = the rest. I only looked at those within manageable budget (for once); and yeah, there is certainly an availability crisis but it’s not as bad as the media – particularly press – are making it.
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There’s no telling what might open up between now and May. However, I can understand wanting to have it settled and done with.
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No, I’m stuck here now, Colorado: unless I was going to be an absolute rat to my Chinese Property Manager (who’s a nice bloke), and leave him with a place he can’t rent out because no-one wants a little apartment for less than six months.
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Oh, I didn’t mean move now. I just meant having it settled and knowing where you are going in May.
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Dream on, my lamb: it don’t work like that Downunder. That would make life for renters FAR too easy ! Here you’re lucky if you find somewhere that’ll be available more than six weeks ahead – very lucky !
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M-R, I tried to catch up with the moving and construction bit and all that I can say is I’m sorry you have to even think about moving. Is there an end date to the construction? Can you hold off until it’s done? You may or may not remember that my former roommate and I had to suffer the building of a Costco for nine months, with the constant beep, beep, beep of the equipment backing up, the lights, the nights they were out there at 1:00 am (no sh*t) working. It can be maddening, but I hope you can weather this without moving and if not, that you find a more appropriate apartment that is quiet and close to what you need.
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Hello me love ! Yeah, I can hold off .. and I do believe I must now start preparing to make a move into something other than a private rental place. 😦
With six months to go here, I should have plenty of opportunity to get the best advice about some kind of ancient person’s residence, and take it.
Shouldn’t I ?!
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There are places here that have independent living, assisted living and nursing home, all in the same complex. Do they have that in Australia?
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Yep, and that’s precisely what I mean, clever old thing. 🙂
I lived in an ILU when I was in Geelong, a few years ago; but I was far too young for it then, she said modestly .. That’s the problem for me and is going to be this time, too: people my age have a mindset very different from mine. I’m just going to have to suck it up, basically.
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Ahhh…so you’re a troublemaker, huh? 😉😁😄
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It would seem so: I recall joining a quartet comprising the two couples in the two ILUs next to mine when I found them sitting on a nice low wall .. and they stopped talking immediately. I made a couple of efforts to start up the chat again and then had to arise and go. They started talking as soon as I moved off. I think it was my jeans ..
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