Downsizing for My Life, Art and Cat--by Reb MacRath

 

                                                            One possible studio floor plan

In January I'll move from a spacious one bedroom apartment into a 350-foot studio. roughly half its size. Job hunting has proved tougher than I'd expected. So has the daily ordeal of climbing up and down a steep staircase with my still stiff surgical knee. Tips and fees for food deliveries were getting astronomical. If it took me longer than 3-4 months to find work...

Let's fast forward since many of you have had to make your own tough budgetary decisions. The apartment complex that rang my bells offered studios at savings of hundreds of bucks. But they then add on a slew of fees totaling roughly $200. At first, the move seemed ill-advised. All told, to lose half my living space, I'd end up paying close to what I pay now.

BUT the amenities offered by the new place could save me additional hundreds of dollars and give me more time and quiet to write.

--A ground floor common room with leather sofas and study/writing desks would function as my living room. No need to hobble off to an over-priced cafe in order to use their wifi. Savings: $200-$300/month.

--Parcel lockers will save me the $30/month I've paid the UPS Store to hold my mail and packages.

--The site's gym will be perfectly adequate, saving me the monthly YMCA fee.

--The Jacuzzi may do more for my knee than physical therapy.

--Daily 'valet garbage pickup- at at my door will be a blessing.

--The tenant office space offers free computer use and printing.

For nearly all my adult life I've been a cafe writer. By seeing the common room as my living room, I regain the space I''ll lose...writing and studying over my own home-brewed tea. The great trick at this point is to pack and prepare daily so I can hit the ground running, I've acquired a lot of stuff I'll no longer need. The 7-foot-wide desk must go. So must the huge sofa bed. Old clothing, books, and bric-a- brac, ancient personal papers, etc. 

Naturally, Cleo--my dear cat--will be confused and unhappy at first. I must save the things she uses most and arrange the furnishings I keep in a familiar way. Sadly, there's no high window for her to look out from on her cat tree. The one window is low. Is there a way to let her safely out onto the wide balcony? Somehow I must find a way to make her new home a blessing for her,  

Stay tuned for my next report.