A River Between

I haven’t made much of an announcement about this yet with the readers of this blog. It’s been in process for a while, but now it’s a sure thing. I’ve placed my condo in Northfield, MN on the market, and Michael and I will be moving to Minneapolis on April 1st!

We decided on Franklin Co-op, in the Seward neighborhood. This apartment complex is a few blocks away from the Hiawatha Light Rail Line, two blocks from the Seward Co-op, and a bus or rail ride away from almost everything in the city of Minneapolis that we enjoy. One bus will take me to class, and a short walk will get Michael to the rail station to take him to work at MetroTransit! It’s perfect!

I’ve gotten a few questions from people recently about this move, so I thought I’d post a few things here as well.

What’s an “apartment co-op” anyway?
A cooperative is “an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through jointly-owned and democratically controlled enterprise.” We won’t be paying rent to a landlord who uses it for profit, but an organization in which we are members. We have a voice in decisions regarding rent cost, maintenance, upkeep, improvements, social activities, and so on.

You’re going from owning a home to renting again? Why is that?
A large part of the decision is to live with my partner, and to live centrally along major transit lines, so I can begin driving less. I also want to simplify my life. I’ve always talked about living in a cooperative of some sort, and now is as good a time as any to experience it! Life is too short. Plus, over the last six months I’ve come to realize that real estate does not necessarily make one “secure” in life. Sure, there are great financial and tax benefits to home ownership. I’ve reaped some of those benefits. However, it’s time for me to grab ahold of some other truths that I’ve wanted to explore for quite some time. I can own a home again sometime if the need manifests - or not. This is a part of me creating my own reality, rather than saying “I always wished I lived in a cooperative” or something similar.

Won’t you be giving up a lot of freedoms?
I actually view living here as a step to becoming more free. I don’t wish to commute by car between towns to see friends or to go to work or school. I can be free from larger gas bills from driving less. If I take it farther and sell my car, I could save $400 per month on that expense. I’d still have the freedom to drive if I wanted, as there are options with HourCar and ZipCar car-sharing. Plus, the airport is only a quick rail ride away, should I ever need to rent a car for a getaway! My living expenses will be cut in half because I’ll be sharing it with Michael. Plus, I’ll be freeing the planet some by haveing a smaller ecological footprint! I always talk about these things, and now I feel compelled to live them.

You’re 36 years old. Isn’t this the time in your life when you need to think more about a house, your career, or building wealth (instead of these crazy dreams)?
Believe me, a year ago, I would have agreed with that statement. But I’ve begun to see some things differently. I’m seeing some of my male friends who are now in their 30s begin to take the fast road to a heart attack. They work 50-60 hour weeks at their job. They buy bigger homes and bigger cars. They take out home equity loans. They get higher credit limits and they go into more debt than they ever imagined. They no longer have the time they once had when I knew them in their 20s. I doubt that they no longer need friends, social engagements, or a community. There is so much pressure in our society to travel down a narrow and restrictive path to “success” that can lead to stress, depression, heart disease, etc. If I truly want to live to be 100 years old, I have to slow my life down. Chances are that I will have to work longer than my parents before retirement - if I get one at all. Plus, I believe that wealth in our culture is often derived from one person reaping the rewards from another’s hard work. They succeed while that other person fails miserably. My riches should come from both meeting my needs and having the time and focus to celebrate my life with joy as I create it - not from my acquiring of material things.

When can I come visit!?
Once we’re settled, you all are invited! Plus, our birthdays are both in May! Expect some awesome and delicious vegetarian cooking, and a welcome desire to share our lives with the people we love! There will be lots of opportunities!

Please join michael and I in our excitement!!

Peace,
Scott