Historical Summer 2001 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
When I moved into my condo on Nina Place in June of 1989 I thought that I had reached my ultimate destination. Although I occasionally thought of a house, my income didn’t seem to meet my expectations. Then, about three years ago, I began to experience pain and swelling in my knee.
The doctor told me there was no cartilage and that I was basically a candidate for a knee transplant.
He said stairs were the worst thing.
My condo was 3 floor walk-up. Oh well.
I looked at alternate housing more seriously. Although intrigued by high rises and housing stock in other city locations, I felt that I could not leave Skinker DeBaliviere.
My dearest friends were here and I felt very attached to the neighborhood and its institutions.
In addition, Skinker DeBaliviere is a very special place from the perspective of a social scientist.
It is a highly successful diverse neighborhood and confounds some scholars’ ideas about urban integration. So I muddled through, hoping my knee would hold out and taking glucosamine and chondroitin to help that along.
I really didn’t believe that I would find another abode here and decided to start fixing up the condo to make it more attractive. Then, one day in February, I went out to deliver flyers. At Laurel and Waterman I saw a realtor’s sign pointing toward Pershing.
I decided to check it out. And, I found the perfect cottage, a one and one half story dwelling with lots of light and all fixed up to boot. Working with my realtors (whose names you would immediately recognize) I put a contract on the house and tried to sell my condo. It’s strange: only a few years ago the Condos just didn’t sell. Many who wanted to leave leased their units. But, wonderfully, it’s a new world now.
The condos are desirable and sell quickly. Of course, selling a unit means a lot of work—rearranging furniture, getting rid of all kinds of clutter, letting strangers enter your domicile (after you flee to a coffee house or some such). Nonetheless, the effort was worth it and the unit sold. Six Weeks separated me from the move to my new home.
I was very sanguine about packing and of course started with the easiest item, books (and I certainly have enough of those). But, I never quite hit the right pace and things were yet undone when moving day dawned.
I wouldn’t have survived it alive if it hadn’t been for a friend who came in from out of town and two Skinker DeBalivierites.
My trials and tribulations were only made worse by the moving crew. Three men showed up from a very popular company.
After about a half hour, one said he was sick and his contribution turned out to be very minimal.
The other two tried more valiantly.
The move began at 1:00pm.
It ended at 10:45pm.
All boxes were left in the center of my living room floor.
It was lucky to get the furniture in.
The cats toughed out the move in the new home’s basement.
They were freaked of course and showed their displeasure as only cats can.
There were other complications.
I spoke with Southwestern Bell several weeks before the move and said I wanted the phone on in both homes on moving day.
In point of fact, both were turned off most of the time.
I ended up using my emergency cell and can hardly wait to see that bill. Southwestern Bell said they couldn’t do what I asked.
I wonder why they didn’t tell me that when I arranged for the service transfer. Because of no phone, we missed Laclede Gas who turned off the service. No hot water, no bath or shower, that first night.
In addition, my out-state friend became ill, adding to this horrible scene.
But there is a dawn. Unpacking has proceeded.
The new space is conducive to all daily activities and my soon to be 19 year old cat suddenly has a new lease on life.
The moral of this tale is that a potential mover has to realize how the coming of age affects the ability to proceed rapidly.
It also affects ease of adjustment. But, things work out. Friends can be more wonderful than I could ever imagine. Cats are resilient and living in a cozy bright cottage is balm for the soul. Thanks to all who helped and for those of you who might wish to have a different domicile, I wish you a smoother move and as happy an ending.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Summer 2001.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2001_06.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
