Eleven Addresses

In my adult life, I have had eleven addresses. Is that a lot? It sort of feels like a lot. What's worse? I'm definitely moving once my lease is up. Twelve.

I am a renter. Home ownership has never been part of the Meg Dream, though I have considered it a time or two. 99.9% of the time I am perfectly happy writing a monthly check for someone else to unclog the drains, paint the trim and deal with issues homeowners sweat.

The first time I lived in Memphis, I was here for nearly five years when I started to think that this might be it. I was driving around Midtown on the weekends, searching for that perfect craftsman bungalow. I didn't want a yard, but surely I could find someone to take care of one for a reasonable price. I had applied for a promotion at work and was so certain I was on the right track.

But the universe had different plans. The economy tanked, promotions evaporated and my need to advance in my career led me down the road. That's they way the cookie crumbles: one week I'm googling mortgage calculators, the next I'm pricing movers to take me to the next city.

Three years in Baton Rouge. Learned what I could. Onward.

After about five years in Cleveland, I started to think this might be it. I was driving around Bay Village on weekends, searching for that perfect craftsman bungalow. I didn't want to shovel snow, but surely I could find someone to take care of that for a reasonable price. Sound familiar?

But again, the universe had different plans. I lost my job, and instead of googling mortgage calculators, I was once again pricing movers to take me to the next city (ironically, back to Memphis!).

So you can understand my aversion to the mere thought of home ownership. It's like this poisonous fruit that hangs low. I could grab it and take on the challenge, but in the end I just know I will regret it. And frankly, I'm afraid to make the commitment. I'm a renter. I'm free to pack up and go, moving from city to city with ease. No tether. And I love that.

So when my lease is up here at my current apartment, I will give them notice that I won't be staying. I will find a place that makes me much happier in Memphis, closer to friends. Maybe even a house. To rent, of course.

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