I'm Moving

I moved to Worcester 18 months ago. At the time I was paying dirt-cheap rent, largely because I had a roommate. My roommate moved out six months later and I signed on for a year's lease. Obviously my rent went up; it actually more than doubled because my roommate had the larger bedroom. But I was also employed.

Since then the census ended and I was laid off. I'm collecting unemployment but obviously my income took a hit. Then, the Worcester city council discussed classifying apartment complexes as commercial property, which would've nearly doubled my landlord's property tax bill, and he said it would force him to raise my rent $100 a month. Paying that much more didn't sound like fun to me, so I decided it was in my best interest to attend the meeting. Ultimately the Worcester City Council took no action, but my landlord also attended and complained and sent some signals that he'd be raising the rent when the lease expired. My roommate had said he was here for three years and the landlord never raised the rent in his time here. The stars were aligned for a rent increase.

My lease expires June 30. Thus, I've made the decision to move on. I've given my notice and will be moving out at month's end.

Where to, I don't know yet. I'm looking at two places later this afternoon, one here in Worcester and one in Sterling, a quiet place a couple of towns to the north of Worcester, both with significantly lower rent than I pay here.

It's a prudent but difficult decision. My life has been a nomadic one. By my count, this will be the 35th time in my life that I've had to move. Before I moved here to Worcester, I lived in a condo in Milford for 3 1/2 years -- the longest I've ever lived in the same place in my life. You can imagine how much I despise moving. Someday I would like some stability of residence in my life, but it's not in the cards for me right now.

I will keep you updated on what happens. Wish me luck.