When I look around at the prices of rentals around here, my heart rate actually increases. It is frightening how much rent in general went up along with the housing prices. And, now that house prices are coming back down quickly, apartments and other rental properties are still remaining sky high. I suppose that is mostly to do with all of the people who have outrageous mortgages to pay and they want to make enough to over their costs. And, it drives up the rest of the rental prices, because that is just the way any market works.

Of course, when I think about a couple of my friends who are currently looking for new places up in New York City, my panic is a little less intense. The prices up there are even more ridiculous and they are absolutely nowhere in the range of what people actually make for a salary. Living without a room mate or a spouse in NYC is nearly impossible for the typical working person. And, let’s not even talk about moving costs. I paid about $900 just to have a private company do a LOCAL move for me into my storage unit. Believe me, I tried to find something cheaper, but without anyone to help with the listing, I needed to hire the labor as well. One of my friends looked into the prices of some New York movers, and oddly the price to make your movethere is pretty similar to here. It is just rest prices that are so very different.

This is a hard time for someone to be on their own in America. I’m starting over. My ex has the house and has a list as long as my arm as to why he refuses to put it on the market right now – despite the legal agreement. So, I am looking at nothing but the money I have to put INTO the house for maintenance in the meantime. I am just one of millions of people who look at how much it costs to start out, and cringes. I “started out” a long time ago and made it just fine. Who would have ever thought I would have had to start allover again with nothing to build on? Not me.