Looks like we'll be moving - in a year or so!!!

Oh man, I am feeling quite excited!

I've found living on this huge social housing estate quite hard at times. There are allegedly drug dealers a few doors up, many people with obvious issues, for example, alcoholics literally rolling about on the pavement (yes honestly, I've seen two this week alone), and I was approached by a 'crack head' last weekend in broad daylight, to go to his house and see his 'puppies and kittens.' I think he thought I had severe learning disabilites as well as physical - but scary when you think how gullible LittleBoo or other kids are.

I've had my hanging baskets strewn over my front garden, my outside light pulled off the wall three times (don't bother with it now), people telling me to 'fuck off' when I asked if they'd just help me get to my front door in the ice, people who are considered 'questionable' by neighbours who tell me there are paedophiles, murderers just rehoused opposite or nearby, etc etc, and the list goes on.

So apart from all this, and having no friends here at all (although I'm always pleasant to those I see), it's been great living here. *giggle*


I need to be near people more like me. It's so far out here, people don't pop in and it is socially isolating, which isn't good for people like me who can feel depressed quite easily, even on anti deps.

ANYHOW, there have been these bungalows I've been keeping an eye on in an area I would love to live in. I went to check them out again this week. There are only three of them. As we got there the man from the top one was coming out and I went to speak to him. I asked him that if he ever considered moving if he'd contact me. He said he WAS considering moving in about a year, as he and his partner/wife wanted another baby and a bigger house with a garden!!!!!!

He was well cool and let me see the garden (actually yard/patio thing, but absolutely fine), then asked me to take a quick look downstairs, as his baby was asleep upstairs. It is perfect for me. It needs a new kitchen eventually and a coat of paint here and there, but that wouldn't stop me buying it or make it unable to be lived in.

There is also room to expand and I could convert the already pitched roof carport into a kitchen and join it on to a new lounge,(the existing ground floor bathroom and bedroom) making an open living area, so much easier for a wheelchair user. Then the rooms that were the kitchen and lounge could be made into my bedroom and wet room. Of course that would be for the future - but worth thinking about and noting as a possibility.

In the dormer part of the bungalow, reached by a small stair case, there is a bedroom, a dressing room and another bathroom. I didn't see this area as the baby was asleep and they don't have a stair lift, which I'd have to get put in. But LittleBoo could have this space for all her toys and things and as she grew older, it would allow her the privacy and independence she would need. She loves the idea and I do too as it will allow me more privacy too.

The bungalow man said I had first refusal on it! Can you imagine that!! He's got my details and will says he will keep in contact.

So here I am. It's a waiting game. But I have time to decorate, have sort outs, and all the things people do to prepare their homes for selling. I have GOT to get this bungalow or something better in an area that would be good for me. I need to live somewhere different, it's important. My current area is very negative, although I try hard to put a positive spin on living here, as I never thought it would be possible to move.

Already my mood feels lighter. I rarely talk about my depression - it's one of my coping strategies and people understandably get bored, put off, or whatever, hearing someone's continual woes. Only a few days ago I was feeling terribly low and finding life rather a struggle. I'm not stupid enough to think this bungalow is the answer to all that. However, I know housing places a significant part in people's emotional health.

So on with the decorating, sorting out, thinking about finances and generally getting prepared to 'go' with it all when he says he's ready. I've checked with LittleBoo's school and she can still go there. It's an 11 mile return journey now and I would think quite similar from the new area, so that's cool as too many changes could be difficult for her.

Yesterday I had lunch with a friend who said she's always around the new area and would find it really easy to pop in for a coffee compared to where I am here. In fact her exact words were that she'd pop in all the time. It will do me so much good to be around so many more people I know, and hopefully people I'd get to know.

So if anyone I know reading this wants to help with painting, or other jobs, just get in touch. I'd appreciate it. Isn't it exciting!?