There is a condo available in my son's neighborhood in Evanston for only $79,000. It has two bedrooms and it is on the garden level, meaning it is partly underground. But from the pictures it looks like there is plenty of light from the (high) windows. It is in a vintage building with radiator heat; heat and water would be included in the association fees. ($250 a month). The annual taxes are more than $3000, but all told, if I put $40,000 down and got a mortgage for the rest, I would be paying between $700 and $800 a month for mortgage, fees and taxes -- quite a bit less than I am paying for rent. Even more savings for not paying for heat and water.
I left a voicemail with the realtor. I'd like to see it, if only to rule out the idea.
The big drawback is that it would be a 40-45 commute to work, which would really shoot up my gas expense, and would be quite a hassle.
But I would be near my grandchildren, and settled into the home I would have in retirement.
Yesterday I spent the day in Evanston. I went to my grandson's first hockey lesson. He was really very receptive to the teacher's instructions, and so cute tooling around in his little skates.
Well, the realtor just called. I may get in today!
May be looking at a condo
January 16th, 2012 at 03:30 pm
January 16th, 2012 at 03:32 pm 1326727977
January 16th, 2012 at 03:59 pm 1326729576
I totally love Evanston. Way before kids we'd drive up there for lunch and check out the stores. There was a bookstore with a little roaming potbelly pig named Spamela. Fun, fun, fun!
Good luck to you! If this is right for you, I bet it will fall into place.
January 16th, 2012 at 04:48 pm 1326732490
Good luck!
January 16th, 2012 at 09:45 pm 1326750326