the pieces are moving

[floatingleaf]

My parents are getting VERY serious about their property investment plans. As of yesterday, the goal seems to be to buy a 2-4 apartment building that would include a flat for me. The other apartment(s) would be rented out for profit (or rather, to pay off the mortgage). My parents don't actually want to live there - at least not as long as they are able to keep their current house, which they love. They just want to "secure a future" for me and my sister. The chief obstacle to this plan so far has been that someone needs to manage said building, find tenants, make sure they pay their rent etc. - and my parents know that I have no desire to be in that position. And neither does my sister. However, as it turns out, my brother-in-law is more than happy to step up to the challenge. He is a very outgoing, confident person who is already running a business (the art school he founded together with my sister; they both teach in it, but he is the one in charge of the business side). And he wants to gain some experience in property management. Plus, he was born in this country and knows a ton of people from every walk of life - so the whole practical side of things is much less overwhelming to him than to us immigrants. Of course, my parents don't want him to do this for free either - they are pretty much hiring him as their building manager, lol. So all I would have to do would be let him know if anything happens that requires his attention (unless he & my sister decide to move there as well, which is certainly an option).

They are already talking to a realtor, looking at property listings, comparing prices etc. We have also established that if I am to move out to the suburbs again, I will need a car. I would have preferred an apartment in the city, with easy access to public transport - but my brother-in-law says that buying property within the city is a very bad idea, since the taxes and other fees are ridiculously high. And even the near-suburbs (which is what they're looking at) are difficult when it comes to getting around by bus; the routes are few and far between, some run only on weekdays or during rush hour etc. Even getting to a grocery store without a car might be a problem. But my parents say they are willing to help me with my share of the mortgage, so that I would be able to afford a car payment.

I am still not sure how I feel about all of this. I mean, it's a lot to process. On one hand, I feel extremely lucky that I am pretty much being handed a place of my own without much effort on my part; on the other, it's the same old story of someone else deciding what happens in my life. Of course, I am not going to refuse; my other option would be to basically keep on renting a crappy studio, since that's all I can afford. I would be an idiot to refuse. But in a way, I've been proud of myself for managing to live without a car, and I'm not looking forward to all the hassles and expenses associated with owning one. Plus, I just know that as soon as I get my ass onto a car seat again, as opposed to walking out to the bus stop, I will immediately gain weight. It's not even a possibility - it's a given. Unless I embark on some strict fitness regime (which is highly unlikely, to say the least). So I don't know. In a sense, I feel like the modest life I lead now - cheap rented apartment, no car - is something I identify with, and the more comfortable suburban existence my parents want for me is just a way for them to compensate for my failings (like a distinct lack of status-related ambitions). I know this isn't actually true, but still... old habits die hard, and I'm used to thinking everybody (read: my mother) must be looking down on me for not caring about material things like a well-paying job or shiny bathroom tiles. Then again, it's not like I will mind having a nicer place to live - so maybe I'm just a hypocrite who needs to shut up and deal. *sigh*

Well, I have to shut up now anyway, since it's bedtime. I'll post more when I can. I just needed to get this off my chest for the moment...

Comments

[versailles-rose.livejournal.com]

This sounds like a great opportunity to me. i admire your parents and they can do that with you and your sis in mind.

[floatingleaf.livejournal.com]

They are pretty decent, as parents go.;) My mom isn't always so good at treading the fine line between caring and controlling - but I do appreciate all she has done for me, even if I wasn't always happy about it at the time...

[tindomerel.livejournal.com]

You're not a hypocrite. The situation seems to have both good and bad sides.

[goddessofchaos.livejournal.com]

I can see why you have mixed feelings about it - I would too. It's nice to feel that your lifestyle is what you've made it, rather than having it handed to / pushed on you. And you obviously prefer buses and walking to driving. But yeah, nicer place and an investment property that your parents can leave to you... that's not bad.

[floatingleaf.livejournal.com]

You totally "get" my dilemma here, because we both seem to appreciate our daily comforts as much as our independence.:) But mostly, I think I just need to get used to the idea. Looking from the other side, my commute to work should be much easier (and shorter!) without having to wait around at bus stops and train stations. It takes me about an hour now, and the distance is only 8 miles...

[meathiel]

It's definitely got its good and bad sides ... But it's a big decision after all as you give up a part of your freedom. At least I feel like I'm a bit under my parents' thumb - but I even live in the same house they do!

[floatingleaf.livejournal.com]

Well, freedom is one thing - but there is also the fact that my parents are getting older, and soon they might need help with this or that... so it might actually be more convenient to live closer to them. I did move away on purpose a few years ago, because my mom made me feel like I couldn't breathe - but our relationship has much improved since then, so I hope it won't be too bad this time...