Moving

I have said that I would post some details about my move. Many people have wondered why I was moving again so soon. Actually. moving here has been part of the plan for some time. When I sold my condo on Southport, and decided to rent from that point, I was advised by my lawyer to apply to live in the City Park Co-ops which are a complex of three 14 story buildings one block north of Church and Carlton, and directly north of Maple Leaf Gardens, the former hockey arena, and now the mega Loblaws store, and the Ryerson U hockey rink. My lawyer has lived in the complex for many years, and he invited me over for a drink to see the place. The buildings run between Wood and Alexander streets, and have Church St on the east, and the Marriott Courtyard Hotel (originally the Westbury) on the west, at Yonge St. They were rental buildings built in the 50's, but in the 70's, when there was a lot of apartment ownership flipping going on, the residents banded together to get the buildings organized as a government subsidized co-op. That means that 50% of the residents are on subsidized rents, and the rest of us on what is called 'market rate', although they are significantly cheaper than regular rental units. The complex is administered by a board of the residents. I was originally told it would take 10 years, and so I hesitated to apply but eventually did, before I moved to Charles St. Last December, I got word that I was to be interviewed to get a unit. I had to act quickly, but decided to go through with it. I had waited 6 years on the list. Everyone is required to move into a bachelor or studio apartment, but since it is an old building, they are large. Mine has a long hallway into it, so that takes up some of the space. The kitchen is a bit small with very little counter space, but the appliances are kept up to date. The bathroom is big, and the floor is small tiles, and it is heated. The unit is 21 feet wide, and there is a balcony the entire width of the apt. I am on the 3rd floor, facing west, overlooking a small park between two of the buildings. Resident volunteers look after the landscaping of the park areas. I am a short walk from either the College or Wellesley Subway stations. Having what may be the world's largest Loblaws (with the now legendary Wall of Cheese) is an advantage for grocery shopping. It takes up what was once the rink area, and centre ice is still there. I am also on the southern end of the Church Wellesley Village area, which has some nice restaurants, coffee shops and many bars, mostly gay. The buildings are old, and the public areas look tired. The units are kept up with new appliances and fixtures, but the heating is the old in wall rads, and my AC is a small unit in the window. However, the upside is that the rent ( known in this context as membership fee ) is low. When I left my apt on Charles, I was paying $1500 a month, and here I am playing $760. If you look at rental ads, you can hardly find a basement apt for that in the city. So it seemed to me to be a good decision in my retirement. Since I applied to live here, I have met many other residents, and they all rave about the place. There is a real community spirit, unusual in a big city, and most people are involved in many social activities or committees. After I have lived in the studio for a year, I can apply for a one bedroom apt. Apparently, the waiting time for that is much less. So, so far, so good. I am still living without curtains, and none of my pictures are up yet, but I'll get there.