I am on the fence about renewing my lease. I would love feedback. Starting this week, I am going to be caring for my grandmother half the week. She lives 80 miles from me. My family said I was more than welcome to stay there on my days off as well. For now, I am going to stay there on my days off one week, and go home the next week on my days off.
Anyhow, my lease is up May 31st. Grandma's heart is failing. The doctor said he has no crystal ball but estimated around 6 months.
I have to decide on my apartment by April 15th. My options were a year lease or month-to-month, but since my youngest is in the military I can sign a 6 month lease. Month-to-Month is $906 per month and the 6 month lease is $755 per month. I would also only pay $200 for June as a promotion. If I stay, obviously the 6 month is the way to go.
Please also keep in mind I am not in a position to replace my car if something happens to it.
Pros for keeping the lease:
-I live within walking distance of the mall, library, post office and park. I am on the border of two counties so my access to bussing is excellent as well. If I have car trouble, I can get around.
-My oldest son lives in the same complex, which means my grandkids are totally accessible anytime I want to see them.
Cons:
-I would be paying for an apartment and utilities I would only use about a third of the month.
-Other than my son, everyone else is closer to where my grandma lives (20 miles or less).
Pros for staying at grandmas full time:
-No rent, utilities or groceries. My family insists on the groceries. What I do buy would be covered with mystery shopping.
-Friends and family are nearby.
-I can store my stuff in her basement or garage.
Cons:
-I am not sure I want to live in that area after she is gone. I am not fully against it either.
-I would have access to rides, but if my car came to the point it could not be fixed, I would be dependent on others. The bussing system there is not what it is here.
-It would probably cost me more to rent there if I got an apartment there after grandma passes. My cousin and I have discussed moving in together, but I don't feel I should count on it.
-My son and daughter-in-law have no one in the area up where I am now but me to help out.
-This could last one month, 6 months, 2 years, no one really knows. The house would be put up for sale as soon as she passes.
I am very tired of moving around. However, I give up the lease, I know I could save a ton of money if I base this on the expectation I would likely have this situation for around 6 months. I cannot make up my mind at this point. I welcome any and all feedback.
*Note on the car. I am having it looked at when I am down there in April. It has a noise, but I expect it is a control arm ($400 and that is saved up). I trust the person who is going to look at it which I why I am going to take it in on his schedule. I had it thoroughly checked out and put money into it before I left Florida last year. It really should not have any other major upcoming issues.
I can also sub, mystery shop and edit in both areas so I am not location dependent as far as my other work goes.
Should I renew my lease?
March 24th, 2018 at 12:21 pm
March 24th, 2018 at 12:32 pm 1521894760
Am I right that your family would be paying you to care for your grandmother? So no need to be working elsewhere?
Giving up the lease would allow you to save money and have more options when the time comes to move again. It may also help with getting a new vehicle. Since you have a car, you could still visit your son and daughter in law. Would they let you crash on the couch once in awhile?
And just a thought, there is peace of mind in having a place of your own...that is what you are paying for on some level.
March 24th, 2018 at 12:48 pm 1521895728
If you're able to save $700+ for six months that's a nice chunk of change for a decent car should yours brake down or to even move
I'm also sorry to hear about your grandma
March 24th, 2018 at 01:09 pm 1521896992
That said, I would give it a couple of weeks and just see how the situation is working out. It's good you have a few weeks to decide. & maybe in 6 months time you will be better prepared to make the decision to move, if it's going well and it seems like it might be more long term. It's not that I wouldn't move in your situation. It's that I wouldn't be keen on moving in such an uncertain situation after a lot of recent uncertainty.
Can you switch to month-to-month for just a month or two, and then go back to a 6-month lease? Just wondering aloud since I'd want to buy a little more time.
March 24th, 2018 at 01:31 pm 1521898278
The family is wonderful, but they can be wishy-washy which is another worry.
I could do month-to-month for a couple of months, but I would lose that low cost month. It's also more difficult to do over the summer with no subbing income to supplement.
I am definitely giving myself until the last possible minute to decide. If I choose living at grandma's, I am going to ask if they will wait thirty days to put the house on the market after she passes. That area is popular, and I am betting it would sell quickly.
March 24th, 2018 at 03:19 pm 1521904749
March 24th, 2018 at 04:08 pm 1521907715
Issue # 2. Would replacing your current vehicle be on your 'To Do' list whether you were making a change to care for grandma? Exploring what you need for transportation going forward might be explored well in advance of the need for action.
I wonder if retaining the apartment might be described as storage for stuff for an indeterminate time frame.
Since DH and I enjoyed taking international contracts for one semester with possibly extension to two semesters we were constantly setting up and breaking down 'home settings' with the added challenge of language and culture we didn't understand. It was a wonderful adventure that I would reinstate if health permitted so I am back to how you feel about change.
Admire your willingness to care for grandmas and send my very best wishes.
March 24th, 2018 at 06:08 pm 1521914917
March 26th, 2018 at 01:52 am 1522029134
So I think if you do it, it very clearly needs to be spelled out that your days off will be your days. That if something comes up on those days, they are the ones who need to handle it, excepting a true emergency. In writing. And that you need at last 30 days to relocate before the house is put on the market, or 30 days from the day the house sells to the day it closes. Meanwhile, I'd whittle down your possessions to make any future moving easier.