(no subject)

[lizzybennet]

We went to the dollar theater this morning and took the kids to see "Hoodwinked." It was actually much better than I expected. And mercifully short :) Afterwards, we went to the park to let the kids run out some energy. Came home, and for some reason I felt the need to clean out my bedroom closet. So, I did. I also gave away the high chair, rocking chair, a car seat and the garage sale carpet cleaner. It has sprung a leak and now sprays out water on the side. I set it by the dumpster for whoever wants it. I moved things around so now my closet is roomy and tidy. I'm not sure what got into me, but I just felt that I had to clean. I've been doing this all week. Yesterday I swept and cleaned the back patio. I still want to clean out the oven. Yuck, I hate that job.

Did I mention that our apartment complex has been sold and the whole thing is being converted into condos? We all received a letter on our door notifying us that we would not be allowed to renew our leases when they go up and that, if we wanted, we had the option to buy our apartments. Oh, and by the way, the three bedroom apartments are going for 250,000. Yup, that's correct. I could buy a brand new 4 bedroom house in the best part of town for that much. Or, I could buy an apartment with no yard, and noisy neighbors. Gee, what a tough choice...Actually, this has been a pretty drastic turn of events for many of our neighbors. Most people who live here have been here for years and planned on living here for many more years. This is their home, it's not like a temporary type place. Our upstairs neighbors moved out today and for some reason it has made me sad. She is so nice and my kids just love her dog, Corky. She still has her Christmas lights up on the stair railings, and she turns them on every night. I'm thinking it was some sort of protest against the sale of the complex. We live right next to the office, so anything we have sitting by our front door, or on the stairs, is quite apparent to any potential customers who come by. Every weekend more people move out. Our lease is not up until August and I think we will be one of the last ones to leave. That's somewhat depressing. The apartments are going to be gutted and totally remodeled: granite counter tops in the kitchen, top of the line appliances, etc. If a person decides to buy their apartment as is, they can buy it at a significant discount (the rumor I heard was $60,000 less). But why in the world would you want to buy an apartment with old appliances and old carpet that has been through who knows how many previous tenants. Also, the rental office staff will be out of a job when the change over is made. They also had no idea that this sale was coming. It just seems wrong. The rich are getting richer, while the less fortunate can just go find somewhere else to live.

Comments

[okp.livejournal.com]

Wow - that's alot. I've never understood why 'condos' were so expensive, esp. when a lot of times - they are just apartments! Good luck finding the perfect place to move to.

[-bella-luna.livejournal.com]

This is happening in Gainesville too. We're a major university town so realtors and and apartment owners are more concerned with the student population than the family population of renters. More students, so the renting community caters to them.

There are these huge fancy apartments going up all over the place, so all the old ones are being converted into condos. These "new" condos are starting out at $145,000. Its just insane.

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

It is quite insane. Most of the people that I have talked to in the complex just do not have the type of money to afford such an expensive place. People who rent apartments usually do so because it is really the only option. Either their credit is poor, or their income is not enough to qualify to buy.

It's really too bad. Also, because of this recent popularity of converting apartments into condos, most apartment complexes have long waiting lists and no one is offering move in specials anymore. they don't need to, there is such an apartment shortage right now.

I'm glad we are moving away.

[-bella-luna.livejournal.com]

This is exactly what is happening in Gainesville. All the apartments - all the relatively good ones on the clean side of town - are being converted to condos. Its going to make finding a new place to live hard. I think you're right - the rich are seeing how they can make some easy money. Kick everyone out and sell condos. They'll make money because people will buy these things. In Gainesville, parents are buying condos for their college students. Isn't that insane?

[texastea.livejournal.com]

That's really sad and horrible. It seems so very unethical, somehow. Like you guys, I sure can't see why an older apartment would be worth somewhere between $175 and $250 thousand. Beats the heck out of me.

I can remember when condos were special fancy places where parents went to retire. They were supposed to be top-of-the-line everything, all maintenance and utilities gratis, and lots of entertaining possibilities for the well-to-do retiree - no one under 55 allowed, most of the time.
Now, they just seem to be any apartment complex that the owner wants to sell as real estate. I don't know the rules.

When will you guys be in China?

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

Lucky for us, we renewed our lease shortly before the news came out about the condo conversion. We renewed to work well with our China plans. We'll be moving out here a few weeks before we are due in China. That is, if the China job works out. Chris still has not signed a contract.