The frog was placed in the pot of cool, pleasant water. He looked comfortable, as if he had chosen this pot to be his new home. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to the frog as the water’s temperature gently rose. The frog was oblivious to the danger of complacency. Eventually the water came to a boil, the frog…
I had wanted to live in Beachwood in the worst way and literally succeeded at that goal. I spent six years in the Hamptons apartments where I moved after selling my house in Shaker Heights. My new neighbors in 2006 were professionals or people who had sold their homes and had downsized to an apartment. Initially, I was, at 51, the youngest resident of my wing. I leave the oldest. The move-ins and move-outs of 2006 were choreographed by the professionals of North American Van Lines, Weiss, and other qualified movers. The residents now arrive Beverly Hillbilly style with all of their worldly possessions tied to the top of a pickup truck.
It would be easy to use the next four hundred words to torch the management, cleanliness, and services of the Hamptons. But, blaming my environment for my own inertia would be like the frog complaining about the color of the pot. I wanted to move to the Hamptons in 2006. I gladly signed new leases in 2007 and 2008. I may have been sleepwalking in 2009, 2010, and 2011, but there certainly wasn’t any force involved.
So when I woke up, I moved.
I have purchased a flat in Woodhawk, a gated condominium community in Mayfield Heights. The unit is spacious, quiet, and private. The move was May 8th. This post will be published when I receive my security deposit.
A return to homeownership? Why not? The water was cool and pleasant.
Your metaphor tastes like chicken.
It’s a shame when a company trades on its good reputation to make a quick buck at the expense of its future reputation. I’m sure it’s obvious to anyone looking at the Hamptons today that it is not an elite place to live.
Anyway, welcome to a pot of a different color. Or a frying pan. Or whatever metaphor you like. I’ve spent 2012 laboring in flowerbeds, repairing windows and doors, and hiring roofers and painters. But you know all about that.
From the Punta Cana Princess:
Congrats on the new home!
Shari
Jeff:
I could never go back to a single family home with the hassle of finding someone to perform all of the yardwork, snow removal, and other chores I either can not or will not do. This is a 4th floor (no flooding!) flat. I bought a hanging plant for the balcony. It should die soon.
I can give you a plant that won’t die: mint. I spent eight hours one weekend digging a network of mint roots out of a flowerbed. It grows four feet tall. It outcompetes the grass in our lawn. But you can make mojitos out of it, and if you keep it in a pot, it will stay there.