m y T r i L i f e

A new home, a new job...

Life since coming back from Phoenix has been busy to say the least.

Naomi and I had originally planned to move from our apartment in Sherwood Park into my condo in the west end. It was a great plan, as we would only be there for a short time until we jetted off to Australia. Naomi's exchange counterpart would live there for the year, and have the advantage of underground parking for the harsh Edmonton winter.

However, since Australia was canceled, we both came to the conclusion we had no desire to uproot from our lives in Sherwood Park to move to the west end of Edmonton. Both of our commutes are fast and convenient from the Park, we have quick access to the best training facility, Millennium Place, and also the best riding around Edmonton... Strathcona County.

So, off we went on a home search in Sherwood Park. We looked at many properties, including some new developments and kept coming up disappointed. It's astonishing how poorly constructed and/or poorly kept most of the new properties we saw were. We were getting close to settling, when I happened to click on a property for sale by owner advert that had a mediocre exterior photo. We had found our gem.

Built in 1970, our future home is a two storey townhouse near Festival Place in the heart of Sherwood Park. The current owner, an electrician by trade, completely gutted and renovated the property in the time he has owned it. New everything... flooring, walls, wiring, cabinets, light fixtures, carpets... the place is brand new and is in show home condition. Another plus, the walls were built with concrete block, which is a pricier method of construction, but as I understand has many advantages for durability, comfort, sound-proofing, etc.

I think this home is wonderful investment over the disposable buildings currently being built on the market. We have already started to pack our apartment as we move in Dec 12! WOO!

Since we had originally planned to purchase the west end condo, we had also in the last month put forth the paperwork to take over the title and mortgage of that home as well. This has been a bit stressful, as it will now become a rental, and turning us into landlords. We're also looking for offers of mortgage assumption, as currently it cannot be sold in the lousy housing market for more than the current mortgage (marginally less is my guess). Who knew the market would crash so hard in the year I owned it? Know anyone who wants a two-bed, two-bed bath in Callingwood?

My job is changing slightly... I have been offered a full-time, salaried position at the company I have been contracting at the past 15 months. A move to regular hours, benefits, paid holidays, steadier income, and secure employment in the current economic downturn is most welcome. As I see it, if I really want to contract again... I am a two week notice away.

Needless to say, all the stress and hassle of of the last month has made living a normal routine impossible. I'm tired, I'm not training consistently, and I haven't had much time to update here. However, it should all be settled in a little over two weeks, can't wait! Now, when is it going to snow so we can get out on our new ski's?! I'm jealous of the eastern provinces right now! (that's pretty rare, ha!)

posted by Greg Nicholson @ 11/25/2008