Decisions decisions

This is rambly and not about anything interesting at all.  If you are one of the approximately 5 people who read this (outside of my family) feel free to skip.  Or read on and tell me what you think.

I have a big decision to make.  Its about my living situation.  Let me start by saying that I love, love, LOVE my apartment.  Its in a great neighborhood in Sherman Oaks in a building built in the 40s.  Its not perfect or huge, but it's mine.  Its two bedrooms, one bath, its got an a/c unit in each bedroom and in the dining/living room, hardwood floors throughout, its got a tiny kitchen and terrible closet space, but its mine and I love it.  Its got a nice gated front yard and patio, perfect for the dog to run around, lots of dogs in the building that run around in the front yard together.  Quirky neighbors, some who I love chatting with, others who skeeve me out a bit (one in particular, he's seriously creepy, everyone agrees and none of the dogs in the building like him or his dog).  Its walking distance to a lot of shops, restaurants and the galleria, not that I ever walk anywhere, but I could if I wanted.  All in all, its a great building, units only stay empty for about a week in between tenants. Sometimes units don't even get listed between tenants because of word of mouth.  The landlord is cool and leaves us all alone, and, most of the time, gets stuff fixed right away.  Its a great situation.

Front of the building, its entirely gated by a white picket fence.

The dog enjoys being in the yard and sunbathing

he also likes to trample through the flowers

And he loves patrolling the yard to make sure we are all safe.

I've lived there for almost three years and seriously love it.  I rent, I do not own this place (which is good, cause its got lots of stuff that needs to be fixed, that's what happens when you live in a building built in the 40s).  My old roommate and I found the place by chance while we were looking for a place.  It was perfect, big enough for us and the dogs (a little cramped with three dogs - two big ones, a lab and an English bulldog and Rocky).  And, the rent was cheap, like dirt cheap for the neighborhood.  The for rent sign had only gone up that day.  We took it and moved in a couple weeks later.

hardwood floors

Rocky, keeping a lookout and protecting us.

Then, about a year ago, she moved out and in with her boyfriend - sad for me.  I had another roommate move in for about three months and then she moved out and I wound up with basically the perfect situation, someone rented the room from me but never actually moved in.  So, for the better part of a year I've been in this place by myself.  Its been perfection.  Its the first time I've lived by myself and I have enjoyed it.  I'll say I really miss having Sheree and the big dogs around.  I miss the company.  Rocky does not miss the big dogs, at all.  He's happy as a clam being an only dog.  But, he misses Sheree too.  He goes bananas every time she comes over and if you say her name to him his head perks up and he gets all excited.  Sheree, we miss you, come back.  But, even though I sometimes get a little lonely, all in all, I've enjoyed living alone, especially with the benefit of not having to pay the full rent on the apartment.

the big kids and Rocky - he does NOT miss them.

But, now comes another change.  The person who has been renting the room from me is no longer renting the room from me.  I knew this was eventually going to happen.  So, here I am, still living in my little apartment, alone, but now paying the full rent.  The rent is still really cheap for the neighborhood and apartment size.  And, I can sort of afford it all on my own, but it makes money tight, really tight.  Like I have no extra money after bills, food, etc.  I have a tiny bit of money to do some fun stuff, but really not much.  I have to be super budget conscious (which I already am).

And, that poses several problems for me.  Not the least of which is that I have a bike on layaway, and with this situation I have no extra money to put toward it.  And, while it may not seem important to you , this bike is important to me.  I don't spend money on hardly anything, I drive a 10 year old car. I haven't bought new clothes in more than a year - except for tri stuff and that doesn't count - I seriously wear the same stuff all the time because I don't have the money for anything else - and I've lost about 35 pounds since last fall, meaning a lot of my clothes just don't fit.  I don't go out a lot.  I only buy stuff I absolutely need.  I'm very budget-conscious.

Now here we are at decision time.  I have tried finding someone I know to move in.  There just isn't anyone. I could list the room on craigslist, but that would mean living with a stranger.  I'm not okay with that.  I don't want to live with a stranger.  I just really am not comfortable with that idea, not just for myself but also because of the dog - I don't know if I could trust a stranger with him, you might think this is crazy, but he's like my child.  I could move to a smaller, one-bedroom, but one bedrooms in my neighborhood are not really much cheaper than my current rent (a one bedroom unit in my building is only $200 less than what I'm paying now - not worth it).  I could move somewhere else entirely either alone or with another person.  I've been struggling, trying to figure out what to do.

Then, in a passing conversation, a week ago, I jokingly, said to my mom, I should just move in with my parents.  I wasn't serious.  But, my mom seemed to think it was a good idea.  I was joking when I mentioned it because my sister currently lives at home and there is no room for me at the inn.  But, sister is apparently moving out.  Meaning there is room, sort of.  But, am I willing to move back in with my parents?  I lived with them for about 10 months a few years ago, and it wasn't bad, but I was happy to move back out again.  (I had a shit job at the time and made almost no money so didn't really have the means to move.)  (I can't move in with them unless my sister moves out - so if she doesn't move out this option is off the table.)

I've been giving it some serious thought.  Could I really live with my parents again?  I could save a TON of money.  Like a ton.  I currently have less than $100 in my savings account, seriously.  This is scary to me.  I'd like to have a little bit of a cushion, right now there is none.  I'd also like to be able to buy new clothes when I need them and do fun things when I want to and register for races that I want to do.  Rocky would have company - they have two dogs, one of these dogs Rocky loves so much - Henry - the giant poodle.  I wouldn't have to stress on long training days about rushing home to check on him.  I would be able to relax a little bit about money.  I could register for the races I want to do next year, and actually go to them without money being stretched so thin I don't know how I'll make it to the next paycheck.   And, even with all this I'd be able to save a lot of money.  It is slightly further away from work - like 5 miles, which in LA could be the difference between a 10 minute commute and an hour commute - and slightly further away from Santa Monica where I would like to be and where I go for training, a lot.  Where I am right now is pretty convenient to all the places I go to train, its very central - my parents place is just a little further from most places.

Henry! (with Max the cat - Rocky doesn't like Max)

But, I'm 33 years old and I'd be living with my parents.  Which seems weird.  Maybe this is just my hangup.  Its super generous of them to even offer it to me.  This wasn't something I thought was a possibility before a week ago.  I appreciate the offer so so SO much.  I sort of have the best parents ever.  Living with them would be interesting, to say the least.  But between work and training I don't think it would be all that bad, I'm really not home THAT much.

Even if I got a roommate I wouldn't really be able to save any money.  The only way to save money would be to move in with them (or get a job that pays more).  And, my mom made an interesting suggestion - I could save enough money to potentially be able to buy a place.  What?! That's not something I've ever thought was a realistic idea for me in LA.  Property is expensive.  Maybe I could save enough to buy a place.  Maybe.

So, now I have a decision to make.  Options: 1.  stay where I am, alone, and money stays very tight; 2. find someone I know to move in (thus far no luck here); 3. list the room on craigslist and live with a stranger (this is definitely NOT going to happen); 4. move somewhere else either alone or with someone (ideally to a place with a yard for the dog); 5. move in with my parents.

How old is too old to live at home?  Is it better to be frugal and live at home and save money? Or is it like failing to move back home again?  (It doesn't feel like failure, fyi.)  Any advice?  No matter what I'll be sad if I give up my apartment.  But, it is just a place and maybe in giving it up I'll find something even better.  And, am I only staying there because the rent is low and I'm used to it?

Decisions decisions...  Whatever I do I've got to decide pretty quickly.

Update: Forgot to mention, if I were to move home it would be for a limited, set amount of time - like 6 months or a year, or whatever.  It would not be indefinite.  Also, if I know you and you're looking for a place to live, let me know! $750/month, includes all utilities, street parking, great place, shared bathroom, must love dogs - or at least like Rocky!