Okay, Snow Leopard decided to post twice. Not that interesting.

I want to own mainly because I want a bit of yard between us and our neighbors. I'm sick of hearing other people's footsteps above me.

I love the stability that comes with owning my own place. In NYC, it's really unusual to have a lease last for more than two years - after that pretty much everyone goes month to month, and you can be kicked out or have your rent skyrocket with basically no warning. With a baby on the way, we didn't feel we could take that risk.

::holds rent stabilized apartment very tightly::

I actually got a three bedroom with roommates so that some day I could have it without roommates. Ah life in NYC.

When I was renting I was always acutely aware that my landlord was allowing me to live in a house or apartment that was not really mine. I like owning, even though it doesn't make a whole lot of financial sense (especially the way property values have dropped since I bought, sigh).

I love owning, even if it does gobble up time and money. Tax benefits are great, but the best part is being able to futz around with the house and yard. Geeky house stuff like putting in attic insulation is very satisfying to me. Researching and planning and doing stuff to the house is my hobby, really.

I have a love/hate relationship with owning.

I should regret buying this place when we did (and buying without having sold the old house previously), but I do love my block all to hell (the neighbors across the street throw awesome parties), and I love my house, and if we ever unload the old place, we will recognize that the payments on this place aren't bad. At the time, they weren't much more than renting a comparable place.

Speaking of owning, our annual block party is tonight. It's great fun, especially since the couple who own this place [link] live two houses down. I love that our neighborhood has people of all ages and nationalities.

I hate gardening. I thought I would like it, but somehow forgot that it involves being outside in the sun and dealing with bugs. My black thumb is offset by the fact that we live in a reclaimed bog, and everything grows like crazy here. Our climbing rose in front of the house is making another attempt to reach the power lines.

Hmm. Interesting timing for the house conversation. I was just coming here to pick the hivemind.

How, I wonder, does one indicate to one's so that one is thinking "Hey, maybe we should live together!" without freaking him out? I'm there 4 or 5 nights, we would both save some money, and we get along together really well. And, yo, I'm in love with him.

I feel ready. It's been 6 months -- is it too soon? I've never had to negotiate this kind of emotional thing before - I'm really fumbling, and I don't want to dick anything up.

(why do I feel like I'm writing into Cosmo?!)

I'm just looking for some thoughts. I loves me the analysis.

Erin, I don't know the answer, but I am terribly happy for you that you've gotten to this point. :)

I can easily spend a third to half of my weekend doing basic upkeep chores around the place. I love it, and get a lot of satisfaction from it, but still...

I do this and I rent a house. I'd actually like to buy this house one day, so who knows. I get along very well with my landlady (I am the first person renting this place--she moved in with her boyfriend) and she's already talked about selling it to me. I love puttering around cleaning, fixing and gardening. I have a whole list of stuff I'd do if I bought it (including turning the garage into an office/guest room).