When One Door Closes, Another One Opens?

Well, a chapter in my life is coming to an end... The old saying when one door closes, another one opens - I am doing my best to believe this is true. Sometimes the universe has a funny way of pushing you to new or better opportunities in life. I am taking this as my sign.

Change is definitely not easy for me - especially big changes. A couple of weeks ago, I was informed that my time as the building caretaker is coming to an end - June 30th. I have lived in this building for almost 9 years and been caretaker for around 6 yrs. Let me tell you, it has definitely been a journey - easy at times, fun meeting new people, but very stressful and trying other times.

In 2016, the universe pushed me into taking a chance and moving to the cities. I did some job hunting, had an interview at a psych clinic (in billing) and decided to take the plunge. The interview was fun, I met some great people and on my way home, I got the call and got the job! I was so very very excited for this opportunity, but the next step was finding a place to live - and on a very tight budget at that.

I had some really great friends who helped me with the start of this big change in my life! I spent a couple weeks with some things in my car and sleeping on a friend's couch while I started my new job.

I drove past this building one day and said to myself - I am going to live there - It was set in my mind. I was pretty persistent in trying to set up a showing. During this time of apartment hunting (I looked at SO many terrible places), I moved in with another friend and her husband. It was such a blessing to have a true support system in the cities.

After a few months, I FINALLY got to tour this building that I fell in love with upon driving by. I toured their 250 sq ft apartment in the basement (remember, I was on a really tight budget). It was SO disgusting - but had some charm and I thought I could make it home. Walking into this tiny basement apartment, I was stepping over trash everywhere, clothes, etc - JUST A MESS - but that didn't deter me from applying, and your girl got the apartment! You cannot even begin to imagine my excitement - the start to a new chapter!

I moved into my space in June 2016 - thank you mom for helping me fit my bed into this tiny apartment! I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned! I wont even tell you the nasty I found, but it was my space and I was determined to make it a cozy home.

Within the first 2 weeks of me living in this little apartment, the closet shelf broke, the pipe right outside my door started leaking (yes, they put a trashcan in front of my door to catch the water), the ceiling in my kitchen leaked (from the upstairs neighbor) and my apartment flooded when it rained. I was devastated with what I got myself into. Fix after fix with this apartment. SO many water leaks!

After time and fixes, I grew to love this little space of my own even with all of it's problems and I found my voice in being assertive to have things fixed.

Among the water leaking issues (throughout the whole building - but so much in my apartment - ceiling, wall, bathtub - maintenance knew my name very well), there were issues of my wall being torn off due to mold, homeless people sleeping in the entryway (I've got some really crazy stories over the years about this), living next door to a guy building bombs (that is a whole story in itself - but we definitely had our encounters being neighbors), centipedes in my apartment, my door jamming and being locked inside (maintenance had to take apart my window and crawl through to get me out), fire department being called for burning odors and making people sick, a large rat coming up my bathroom toilet while I was actually using it (apparently rats are not an emergency issue - talk about a panic attack and thank you to the kind neighbor who came and caught it! Side note - did you know rats could swim for 3 days!? I learned a lot from pest control), fighting with the neighbors at the halfway house, and so much more!

As the years went on, my friend who was the previous caretaker left and I was offered the position. It was a flexible-on-my-time position. The property manager said he thought I would be a great fit, so if I wanted it, it was mine! (this was crazy to me since I voiced my thoughts and frustrations ALL THE TIME - have definitely had some not so pleasant convos with management). It included a nice caretaker discount - sign me up! I was responsible for doing apartment showings of empty units, doing move out inspections, handing over keys to new tenants, doing move in inspections, and being the go to person for tenant needs and issues, as well as cleaning apartments if they weren't clean enough. Let me tell you - LOTS OF WORK. I didn't realize how needy tenants could be - I truly felt like house mom!

I have SO many stories from being caretaker here - so many frustrating times, times where I cried - being overwhelmed and exhausted, and a lot of fun moments as well! I have truly met some amazing people in this building. Some of my best friends have come from living here and being caretaker here.

As caretaker, and with the nice discount, I upgraded my apartment to a bigger one on the top floor (the best one in the building in my opinion). It has beautiful views out every window, built in shelves, faces east - so in the morning, the sun hits the beveled glass casting rainbows throughout my living room, and is right next to the balcony. The large windows let in so much natural light! My space really makes me smile.

Over the years I have spent a great amount of time decorating not only my apartment, but also the balcony, with fun pillows, solar lights and beautiful plants. I made it a gorgeous place to spend time (several of the tenants have told me so). I love my apartment (even with it's issues on the 3rd floor of wasp infestations, extremely old wiring, large drafty windows, hardly any outlets, the occasional bird flying into my window, and Gus Gus living in my stove - yes I am talking about a mouse). The old classic charm is really something! A big thank you to those who have helped me make this upgraded apartment my place of sanctuary - moving furniture, hanging pictures and my tv, moving around my workspace, and planting plants, among other things.

Caretaking has been fun, but very trying and challenging. I have learned so much from this role. I have dealt with very young tenants out on their own for the first time and not sure how to navigate anything, to tenants with very particular tastes and opinions, to older tenants who are not sure how to utilize online systems. Showings have been interesting - being no showed several times, mothers touring with their sons and asking if I'm single (that is not a joke), people asking about felonies and background checks, others moving from out of state or even from another country, irritable people who acted like I was inconveniencing them, fun people that I could tell right away I would connect well with - People from all walks of life - a lot of them comfortable enough to share their life stories with me and what brought them to apartment hunting. Being a social person and enjoying meeting people - I had fun most of the time engaging with new people!

Thinking back on things I have dealt with over the last six years - maybe it is time to call it. This may have just been the best blessing in disguise as I wouldn't have quit on my own - oh universe, I should thank you! Reminiscing on memories of chasing random men out of this building, needing to deal with tweakers in the entryway (several occasions - damage to mailboxes, glass doors... I have been spit at, had things thrown at me, and knives pulled out on me), several fire department visits as well as an arson inspection (always catching me with my bleach stained pjs from cleaning, hair a mess and day old makeup running down my face - I swear I don't always look like that and clean up quite nice!), flooding in apartments and hallways - too many times to count - and yes, I have helped tenants clean up the water messes from radiators exploding hot hot water and drowning their places, the many winters without heat, violent domestic issues with tenants, a creepy maintenance man, tenants having the audacity to send me a list of what they think my responsibilities as caretaker should be, package and bike theft, bats mice and other rodents (OH MY), druggies rifling through the trash, an actual squatter and break ins, parking issues, disorderly tenants and noise complaints, major plumbing issues that left half of the building without water for days on one side of the building, nightmare showings with inappropriate comments as well as super inappropriate comments and advances from a couple tenants (definitely made me feel unsafe), threats from evicted tenants about their felon boyfriends knowing how to access the building and where I live, and even knocks on my door at random hours to ask about the best cleaning supplies to clean the stove and floors and where the outgoing mail goes (its not a large building). So many memories over the years that I credit my growth to. It makes me feel like a real strong woman, capable of handling really any situation life brings!

All this comes to an end after 6 bittersweet years. The company has decided to take a new direction and eliminate caretaker roles. I have less than a month to decide if I want to stay here (without the discount) or put in my notice. I had a great conversation with my property manager about the new decision. They will be a bit flexible with me on notice IF that is what I decide, but they hope I decide to stay (I am a great tenant). I mentioned one of my stipulations in staying is that they inform current tenants caretaking will no longer be my role. I told him if I am no longer caretaker, tenants need to know as I am contacted throughout the day several times a day about any and everything - IF I stay, it will not be a place of work.

I have had a pretty petty attitude since finding out. I am no longer putting in time and value to decorate the balcony (no plants and flowers this year and that has really bummed me out). I am finding the messages from tenants to be very bothersome and am not eager to help like I have in the past. I have checked out and I have another month left - wish me luck!

Weighing the pros and cons in a short amount of time isn't easy! This place has so many cherished memories for me, but if I'm being honest, I'm still in my bitter phase about the situation. I know its not personal, but I feel like I gave so much to this company and building - I was given 20 days to make what could be a life changing decision.

SO, the question now becomes - Do I stay or do I go?

Luckily for me, my full time job is remote. I could move anywhere - and this does sound appealing. I have often had nightmares of being an old lady in this building - STILL HERE!! This feels like the universe trying to tell me something. But on the flip side, this building has a special place in my heart - I cherish all the dance parties, balcony get togethers, movie nights, apartment spa days, cleaning parties, nights of take out and evenings of cooking with friends, neighborhood walks - and the neighborhood is gorgeous! So many beautiful historic buildings, lots of great dining options (I have become a regular at a few places). I'm close to a multitude of things here - shopping, dining, great bars, historic buildings - its a decently quiet neighborhood, a little walk to downtown, and a short walk to the light rail. Over the years I have made this place a home. I enjoy a good balcony sit, a decent walk to the farmers market, and the company of my friends nearby and building neighbors. BUT, is this a sign to move on?

Close one chapter - on to bigger and better things??

I have done a little apartment hunting out of state. I am particularly drawn to New Orleans (I missed my opportunity for a super cute apartment in the French Quarter and am kinda bummed about it) and Detroit of all places. Both have a great music scene and a lot of history - it could be a fun new adventure! Do I want to give up my apartment that has brought me so much joy, is a great deal, has a beautiful balcony and in a great neighborhood - Not to mention, close to a lot of my friends - My social life would take a significant hit?

This is such a hard decision for me and I am down to the wire. I feel like if I stay, I will be disappointed in myself for not taking the opportunity, but I am scared as hell to go - to leave this beautiful little place and so many close friends - my social life just wont be the same. Going back and forth with this decision for a couple of weeks, I think I am going to stay through the summer and potentially move on. Seems I shouldn't pass up the opportunity.

With all of this being said, the discount I was receiving will be no more come July 1st. I have been looking for part time gigs to supplement my income as a little safety net (the discount wasn't much, but it was nice). Did you know looking for a part time gig is like a full time job in itself?! OMG! Help a girl out if you have any connections - it would be appreciated!

While I transition with this change, please send along positive vibes! Opportunity is knocking - whether that be moving on or allowing for more peace of mind in my apartment that I love!