On Wednesday of this week (tomorrow in my timezone) I will become homeless. My landlords have sold the property I have spent the past 8 years in and served me with a no-fault eviction order 2+ months ago. Quite separately my daughter decided to leave after 14 years with me, including her transition from girl to young woman. I, myself, transitioned almost 2 years ago after a long gestation.
Some will already be aware of this much.
My biggest issue has been the lack of affordable housing near me. I also needed to downsize drastically.
This reached crisis point as the new year started and a plan b was needed (UK definition applies!). Fortunately one of my business clients owns rental properties in the next town but this is a short term solution to a much bigger issue.
I needed to put my house contents into storage but suitable self storage wasn't available anywhere locally. The best I could find was an upper floor small unit 8 miles away. This the precludes most of my furniture, with clothes etc taking up most of the space whilst I packed a 2 week bag.
I will have my laptop and I have copied all my past and future manuscripts onto it. Normally these files live on my own physical server and this has been relocated. Unfortunately (again!) it didn't boot when I reconnected it to power and network.
One positive is that my usual social outlets won't be easily available so I could find myself in front of a new story instead.
I collect a Luton-sized van in a few hours so I can spend the afternoon loading it.
My 'going away' bag has 10 dresses as I will be reinforcing my identity with a new crowd. I've held off ordering a new batch of HRT because of the uncertainty but will now do that.
Yes, this set of circs has got me down, it isn't great, especially as I will turn 60 this year.
If I don't pop up here for a while that's because I can't. My cellphone provider blocks this site and my VPN doesn't always work around this.
On a final point, my health is good and I'm financially stable for the next few weeks at least.
Comments
Just be aware that if you are taking estrogen
to stay very active at all times. It moves fat around and if you are sedentary, it will clog your heart and arteries.
Hard learned fact from my life. As for homelessness, I do pray you secure a more permanent housing soon! *hugs*
Sephrena
Estrogen etc
Hi Sephrena, I've been on HRT continuously for a year without obvious connected issues. I am, however, very active. I also drink more than the medically advised water quantity daily so I would hope that, at least, flushes my system regularly.
Shiraz
Hope things
Work out for you, we’re going through something similar with my brother atm and I’ve been there myself. It’s no wonder homelessness is increasing, landlords seem to hate long term tenants and as for prices.
Best wishes and I hope you can get something more permanent sorted.
Mads
Madeline Anafrid Bell
It’s at times like this…….
That I realize how fortunate I have been in my life, not to have to deal with the types of issues which you are currently faced with at this point in my life. I do feel that I more than paid my dues along the way, having spent many a night sleeping on the ground wearing the same dirty fatigues I had been in for a few days running, listening to the occasional sharp crack of live rounds in the night, or living in the tiny little room that passed for officers quarters in an FOB in some of the shittier parts of the world, shaking sand out of my clothing and equipment daily. Hell, the sand and dust even seemed to filter into the food most of the time, lol. You know it’s bad when you look forward to getting back onboard ship, a lukewarm shower, and the tiny shared accommodations accorded to an officer.
Even moreso, as I was born in Hollywood, CA, spent part of my childhood in the greater LA area, attended college at The University of Southern California (which is also in LA for those not in the know), and spent part of my early adulthood stationed in Long Beach, CA, I am very familiar with the greater Los Angeles area. I still have family and friends in the area, and although I don’t get out there as often as I should, it is still my home town. In light of the current fire situation in that area, I cannot help but realize that I have been much, much luckier than many others that I know.
I am blessed with a good life, a loving family, good health, a good career, a comfortable home, and I want for little - and need even less.
I hope that you find a new home that meets your wants and needs, and that all of your troubles are minor going forward. We each face our own struggles in life, and how we do so defines who we truly are. The important thing to remember as you move through life is that you are not alone. Even when life seems to be at it’s worst, when the day seems darkest and the whole world seems to be weighing down on you, never forget that you have friends and comrades - that help is always there waiting with a hand outstretched and you need only reach out and grasp it.
I only wish that I were close by and could render help to you at this point in your life, but alas, I am not. Fortunately for me, I am able to help my family and friends in Southern California at this time, so I will make do with that for now.
Please be well, and keep in touch. Know that you have friends here, and that we will be anxiously awaiting word in the near future that you are settled and in good health.
D. Eden
Dum Vivimus, Vivamus
Hope for a safe move
Non fault evictions are a pain. The landlord could have sold the property with the tenant(you) in situ. They probably thought they would get more as a residental sale instead. The past two governments have promissed to get rid of section 21 notices, but the last one didn't, and there doesn't seem any urgency with the current lot.
I hope that you find something for the longer term, and that you find moving to a new area an opportunity where people didn't know the old you. Perhaps you will find a GP which can help you more than your previous too.
Relocating
Hi Karen,
I'm safely in accommodation where I know the owner and it is a different town to where I was. I will start looking for more a permanent place in the next day or so, I just need to relax properly - something I haven't done for a while. Agreed about a different GP and I would hope that they will be more considerate than one who loses referrals then sends the replacement referral to the under 18 section of Tavi!
I can still work with most of my existing clients remotely and my work in a radio studio is fully remote at this time of year due to the regular inclement weather! In fact I logged in to the studio computers from my room a short while ago (but my personal hotspot was faster than the local wifi!)
My issues with certain individuals is limited to half a dozen. There are also snitches who report back to the (now ex) landlady but appear to be friendly at face value. 95%++ are fine. The town where I am has issues and that can lead to multiple phobias. I know my way around here thankfully.
For my own security I'm not stating where I am or whom I'm staying with.
Shiraz
Alternate means of communication
Given the issues with your mobile service provider, I hope that you have some alternative means of communication with this community in place. I would be helpful to have a few people here who are able to communicate with you via other means. That way you can either send a “heartbeat”, or have an inquiry relayed to you.
On one hand, it seems that here in Europe (at least in Germany, England and Scotland) home ownership is not that prevalent, and the majority of the population is renting their home. And the legal framework in place has done a seemingly good job of protecting [and encouraging] long term renting. Unlike the USA or Canada where home ownership seems to be the only way to go if you want to achieve any semblance of stability.
Comms
Hi Jessica
There's a few on here who have my WhatsApp number, email address or social media account details so I won't be isolated because of a tech glitch/policy
Regardless of that, I have just had the experience of waking up in a 'strange' room. It passed very quickly. I have stuff to do today so will be occupied but not horribly so (ie like yesterday!)
Oh, and need more tissues, my head cold hasn't departed yet
Shiraz