When we last saw our heroes, they were escaping from an apartment that was liberally coated with lead paint.  For the first two installments of "Why Terry Stevens has moved so doggone much in the past 9 years," scroll down a ways.

Fifth Rental:  The Complex

This living arrangement worked much better once humans traded chamberpots for plumbing.

After narrowly escaping the poisoning of our family via lead laden older apartment, the Stevens clan decided to move to the newest thing we could afford.  Mrs. Stevens found a nice complex we could move to at a price that wouldn't leave us foraging for food in the woods.

There was just one drawback.  This place was a pretty fair distance from work.

I L-O-V-E, LOVE being able to walk to work.  Those minutes that I get to myself allow me to clear my head from the morning clutter and come in fresh and ready to rock at work.

Conversely, being able to clear my head in the same manner on the way home helps me be "there" when I'm with my wife and kids.  While I enjoy driving, it doesn't have quite the zen-like effect of a good walk.  Plus, you know, the road is full of idiots who don't know how to put down the [INCREDIBLY NAUGHTY WORD] cellphone and drive.

PICTURED:  World's biggest [WORD SO NAUGHTY THAT YOUR EARS WOULD BLEED]

The peaceful semi-country setting was nice and all, but even Mrs. Stevens found the removal from city life a bit of a drag.  She used to load up the kids and walk to the farmer's market or the library or to a hundred other things, but now she had to pile everyone into the minivan.  Our son and daughter had to share a room here too.  They're still young enough to where it wasn't a big deal, but it would be in a couple of years, so this obviously wasn't going to be a long term deal.

When we were first married, Anj and I lived in an apartment complex in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Back then, we were a young foolhardy childless couple who stayed up late and could run on little to no sleep if needed.

Now though, we were cranky parents who needed a full night's sleep to be even semi-lucid.  As such, we had little patience for one of the potentially worst parts of apartment complex living.

Loud-@$$ neighbors.

"Hi, we're the jack@$$es that will be keeping you up all night."

When it comes to apartment complex neighbors, there's one thing you can count on.  The younger they are, the worse they are, especially if they're an upstairs neighbor.  I say that with the authority of having been one of those young, loud and stupid upstairs neighbors.

While the unit itself was nice, the commute and neighbors were enough of a drag that once again, the Stevens clan (and by that I mean Mrs. Stevens) was itching to move.

So, away we went to...

Sixth Rental:  The Victorian

It would be an understatement of epic proportions to say that my wife likes old houses.  My wife L-O-V-E, LOVES old houses, especially something or other century Victorian homes.  She'll tell you that it has to do with their character and style.  I suspect that she's hoping to have a ghost for a roommate, but I'm suspicious like that.

Anj ran across this place awhile back, but it was rented before she could contact the landlord.  Then, six months later, she saw that the "For Rent" sign was up again, so she inquired.

Turns out the last tenant had to be evicted due to not paying rent.  The landlord was motivated to lease, Anj was motivated to rent and I was motivated to rent a place that Anj wouldn't want to move from for at least 5 years this time around.

I have to say, Anj made a great pick.  This place is within walking distance of work, biking distance of much more and the rent is budget friendly.  It's an older home, but there isn't a trace of lead paint to be found.  The kids each have their own room.  We're the upstairs neighbors this time and the downstairs neighbors are nice, quiet, long term tenants.

If all goes according to plan, we'll stay here until it's time to buy a house.

(Before some real estate agent starts spamming my Blog post with "NOW'S THE BEST TIME TO BUY A HOME!" nonsense, let me make a few things clear.  It isn't the best time to buy for me.  I'm not interested.  When I am ready to buy, it won't be from the agent who spammed my blog.  Now scram.)

If all doesn't go according to plan, I'm saying the heck with it and moving us into one of these:

Seeing as Anj knows how to read Tarot cards, we'll fit right into the lifestyle.  I'm gonna have to work on my belly dancing, though.

"OMG!  I just got the most horrible mental image from Terry's Blog!"

Be Cool,

TS