Leaving the ghetto, hello Burlingame!

I honestly have never been so happy in my life before (never been so happy to write out checks for my deposit).  Now that our new landlord accepted us, we are finally on our way out of the ghetto -- hello downtown Burlingame!  We are one of the few duplexes in the neighborhood mainly populated with expensive homes.

In order to give ourselves more time, we decided to have our lease overlap for approximately 2 weeks.  This should be plenty for us to pack, move, and do some minor cleaning.  Overall, this has been quite an experience, and I have learned a lot about my perceived ability of living in a bad neighborhood.

I probably would have done research into moving companies and wrote about that experience, but I am fortunate.  Because I have been very frugal and never really into furniture, the only large items I need help moving would be my dining table, bed frame, mattress, and TV.  I have friends willing to help, and a large truck I can borrow from my parents.  That should pretty much cover the move.  If you're not as fortunate as I am, you can always look up local movers here.

What I did not realize is that although I grew up very poor, the areas I lived (besides the first 6 month of my life in the United States) has followed a very similar formula.  My parents found the most affordable housing they could in the best areas to raise me.  This usually resulted in me living in very run down and poorly maintained apartments (then home) but in usually very upscale areas.  My parents had understood something that because of this experience I only recently have learned to appreciate.

It's good to be back close to friends, and near a vibrant downtown and close to parks.  My commute will be a bit longer, but it's a small price to pay.  I hope they will eventually renovate this area of Belmont -- but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Finally leaving the ghetto (Oxford Manor) and hello Burlingame!