A good friend of mine told me that she and her husband were going to be leaving San Francisco in April and heading to Seattle. * I got sad at the idea that I wouldn’t see them like I do now, but then I had to back pedal and remember that she said April. Thats still a good chunk of time. I’ll get sad as that month grows nearer, but appreciate them that much more while they are here now. Many of my friends have left since I’ve moved up here. The bay is a very transitional area. Especially San Francisco.

We have thought about leaving the bay area. At this moment we are here and enjoying our time, but her reasons for leaving are similar to my thoughts on the matter. Granted she has a job opportunity that she shouldn’t pass up, but she wants to live in a house…and leave the apartment renting lifestyle of San Francisco behind. Every day I wake up in my apartment, let my dog out, and realize that I’d rather be opening a back door to my backyard for him to explore and do his business. I want to re-do my coffee table, but dont really have the room to do it in my apartment, and doing it outside is just weird in my apartment complex. A backyard, or driveway would be ideal.

Even if I dont own right away, I want to live in a house so bad I can taste it. Our lease is up here in March, and its doubtful we will be ready to leave the bay area by then, but it will definitely get us thinking about renting elsewhere. Another married couple I know are renting less than 3 miles from us, and their house is adorable, their backyard is perfect. Its also more money than I can afford. Ugh.

Im so torn…but I’m ready to be house poor, which would come with owning. I want projects. I want to have pride in where I live, and I want to paint walls dammit!! Yet another couple I know just bought a forclosed home, and are making it their pet project. They might not get out much any more, but they just wallpapered their media room, and are making it to their specs, and how they want it. I guess one step at a time. First we move to a house…then we own one.

I am just anticipating the next step in my life…I know what I want, I just need to be able to afford to get there.

*Bonus to your friends moving away….places to stay when you travel.