Today I put down a deposit on a 2-bedroom apartment. The complex is directly next door to the one I used to live at. The balcony of our new apartment overlooks the same river and the same park as the old place did, it's just down a little bit. Tandra wanted to move into a community in that area, so that was already done, but earlier it looked like in order to meet the date we needed to move in, we would have a balcony overlooking a parking lot or another one of the buildings. Upon further investigation we found that this one would be available just a few days later, so we're going to chance it and wait, and hope we don't get forcefully ejected from our home during that time. (I find this unlikely.) So, I'm happy. Furthermore, I'm spending just about the same on this 2BR as I was spending on the 1BR at the other place. Maybe I was justified in protesting the rent after all.
Downside: I need a garage. I need a place for my tools and for whichever set of wheels and tires I'm not using at the moment (I have Winter and Other). I need a place for our washer and dryer because we got them for free, they work great, and I don't want to get rid of them. We'll own another home someday, and probably rent one before that.
We have WAYYYYY too much shit for this place, even after the garage sale (though the sale has helped immensely).
Storage unit? Ergh... I hope not, but it's looking likely.
Overall I'm pleased though. Weird that I'm changing jobs and residences at almost exactly the same time. I guess it's time for a new phase in life. Things seem to be improving and going well; that's a good foundation for a new phase. I welcome it.