Moving

Started packing Thursday.  Now unpacking on Saturday.  Whirlwind.  I am liking the new place.  It's different from the old place.  The old place had character, colorful walls and was located in a wonderful neighborhood.  The new place is modern, everything is sterile (white walls, stainless steal appliances), and is located in a complex.  The complex has a pool and small gym.  The old place had high ceilings and walls on a slant.  The new place has low ceilings and is box-shaped.  It is so simple that I could have designed it.  I did it.  I am missing my little den/mudroom, but have gained tons and tons of closet space. I traded jumbo washer/dryer combo for stackable units.  The living room is much bigger, but the bedroom is much smaller.  I think I will have to place my desk awkwardly in the living room or toss it.  It's an old wooden desk.  It is sturdy and has a big under-drawer.  It has character.  This is why I keep it.  But if I replaced it, you bet I'd replace it with a modern black desk.  Contradiction.  I'll shop around and give it thought.

Speaking of shopping.  I moved from a 1BR to a 1BR.  I had everything I needed in my last place.  Or so it seemed.  I now have a growing list of things I need.  Patio chairs I wouldn't have had, even thought I had a rooftop.  I've traded a rooftop for a patio.  The patio is smaller and is even smaller with my bike on it, but it's private and all mine and I might like it better.  But the other items, bedside lamp, etc. might be more *opportunity* (read: vanity) than necessity.

More differences.  I traded being able to walk everywhere (for food, drinks, culture) and not having a parking spot to needing to drive absolutely everywhere (or order in) to having a parking spot right outside my door.  Private landlord to leasing company.  Garbage and recycling pick ups to once a week to big dumpster.  Beautiful Princeton campus to golf course.  Silence and darkness at night to more silence and darkness at night.  Occasional noise from students to noise from crickets.  Wildlife differences to be determined, but I've already seen a frog (yes a FROG) outside my door.  I jumped because . . . well, I just jumped.

Finally, I traded Direct TV for Verizon Fios.  Don't make me go into details.  The difference is fucking unreal.