Moving Out, Moving On

Look at this stuff-
Isn't it neat?
Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?

So, for better or for worse, I'm moving into my parents' townhouse, four miles away from my parents' house (and my true home for the past two decades). I am officially on my own, and come next year (when I turn 25) I'll really be on my own.

It doesn't really jive with my lifestyle, although it's a significant step towards independence; I'm still paying someone else's mortgage (my parents'), but I'll be responsible for everything that happens with the place now: repairs, upgrades, the utilities, any roommate situations. It's all mine.

It's a townhouse, so I'll have neighbors to be considerate of (not so much as my leaves blowing onto their lawn, but more of my drumming and guitar-ing being too loud for them). And I've spent a lot of time painting in that house, so I have an idea of the kind of people who live there and the area: It's close to the airport, so planes passing overhead will be loud, and a younger crowd lives there, so cars passing by will share their music/exhaust noise. But I'm used to that--I did live in a college town for two years, after all.

Then there's my cycling concerns: I'd still like to be able to ride into work, and this new place lengthens my commute (if I were to take the same path) significantly--it would add about 20 to 30 minutes each way. There are alternate routes, but I feel safest with separated facilities (i.e. trails). It's also further to get to the W&OD trail, my main stomping grounds for riding. On the flip side, if I'm further away from civilization, I would get more quality ride-time on country roads.

In reference to the lyrics above, I've started to move my stuff in. All my toys are going to go. I need to get a safe for the more "adult" toys, but they're all going to live with me in my new house.

My new place. My place. No longer "my parents' place" (although technically it still is "my parents'" place).

I'm not apprehensive--it's just the next stage, a natural progression.