But you know, I really, really don't want to get shut out of the market entirely. A practically new condo with a nice little backyard, and a fairly private front garden, and 1300 square feet, and three bedrooms is looking awfully good compared to the termite-infested, 900 square feet properties with two bedrooms and no decent yard, which is all we can afford in a house.

Besides, we found a notice of rent increase stuck to our door when we got home from looking at the place. So it's just about time to move.

I think the place is ours for the asking. But before I commit I'm going to think long and hard about what it'll mean to be there for the next five to ten years. There's an annoying number of busy streets and long traffic lights between me and all the places I run errands. I'll be further away from the train station, and further south from my destination which means (the horror) getting up earlier. I'll be traveling on Highway 101 instead of 280 now when I go back and forth to the city, which I'm not going to like one little bit. Going out anywhere will be more of a chore.

It's a nice place, though. The money's right. And I believe the front yard will get enough sun to grow some of the flowers I crave. Dixie will like the backyard just fine. I'd finally get my very own private study which would double as a proper guest bedroom. The neighborhood is safe, and ought to provide decent walks. And it's not ugly. It's not godawful, falling apart, bad seventies remodel ugly like every single house we've looked at. It's rather nice. A little odd in the layout, but quite acceptable. Also, we can move in as soon as we close. So it's got a lot of advantages.

I just don't know if I can reconcile myself to Mountain View.

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