Houses

[days_unfolding]

I'm dubbing the Urbana house as the "pretty good house". It's nice and I see why I liked it when I rented it, but it's not magical like my mom's house. I made a list of pros and cons for each house.

Urbana House
Pros:
I can keep my therapist. This is a big one because I had a hard time finding a therapist who's simpatico.
It's in Urbana, which I really like.
Lots of storage.
Birds in the back yard.
Not much lawn to maintain.
Close to downtown Urbana--walking distance.
Near good public transportation.
Near the University.

Cons:
I don't know know yet if I could buy it.
It's nice, but not magical.
It's small. (That also is a pro too.)
No utility sink in the basement to wash litter boxes out.
It would cost me more than Mom's house if I could buy it.

Mom's House
Pros:
The back yard, the back yard, the back yard. I completely destress there. The pond and the gazebo.
It's a very cool house.
There's a cool Unitarian church in the area.
Lots of storage, but I have to clean it out first!
The fireplace
The memories
The cats like it.

Cons:
Limited public transportation
Big yard with lots to maintain. (That goes for the house too.)
I don't really know many people there.
I'd have to move AGAIN.
It's in poor shape. I'm trying to catch up on years of delayed maintenance.

Comments

[iddewes]

I would at least find out for sure if you can buy the Urbana house or not before you decide.
Did you grow up in your Mom’s house or did she buy it later?

[days_unfolding]

Yeah, but I don't want to ask them if I could buy the Urbana house and then say, I changed my mind. There are other houses in Urbana that are similar if not quite at such a prime location.

My mom bought the house when I was in college. However, I lived there when I was getting my Master's Degree in Library Science. I was involved in the design of the back yard, including the pond.

[fauxklore]

What are property taxes and so on like for each house? That was one of the main reasons for not keeping my mother's house.

I'd always prioritize location over anything else, personally.

[days_unfolding]

That's a good question. My mom's house would be appraised for more, at least when it's in better shape. I wonder if I could check that on Zillow?

If I didn't love my mom's particular house so much, then I definitely would go for Urbana.

[vysila]

My goodness, that's a big decision to make. It's also a hard one to make, especially so soon after your mother's passing. Perhaps it would be wise to give yourself more time before making such a permanent decision.

[days_unfolding]

I don't have to make a decision until the estate sale. If I keep Mom's house, I would keep more of her furniture.

[zestfive]

Gosh that would be such a hard decision for me because I'm sentimental and I love a good oasis but I'd also want a walkable neighborhood. Either way, sounds like you can't lose!

[days_unfolding]

Either way, sounds like you can't lose!

That's a good way to.put it!