Thirty years

@lovebuglena (43065)
Staten Island, New York
November 15, 2022 12:31pm CST
November 16th will be my anniversary of moving to the US. I came here in 1992 so that makes it thirty years living in this country. When I first moved here with my family we lived in Brooklyn, NYC. Then my parents bought their first house in Staten Island (in 1998 I think) so we moved there and we've been living in Staten Island ever since. My parents eventually bought a different house in Staten Island, closer to the Verrazzano Bridge, and we moved there but the first house was never sold. Now I am actually living (with my husband) in the first house my parents had bought then. I've been living here again since 2015. I never thought I'd be back living here. The house is paid off though and my mom makes us pay only $800 a month, so it's hard to pass up, even though I'd move elsewhere. Rent these days is very high. Won't find anything good and in a good neighborhood for $800 and with utilities included, let alone a house. This house is actually next to a cemetery where my dad, three of my grandparents, and some other relatives are buried. When I stand on the street next to mine I can actually see it in the distance. Of course, if I want to visit their graves I have to go all the way to the other side as there is no entrance near me. Living next to the cemetery makes me feel like they are close to me, though they are no longer here.
10 people like this
8 responses
@kaylachan (57596)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
15 Nov 22
That's a long time to live somewhere. And, I agree. With inflation especially, 800 is to good to pass up.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (57596)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
15 Nov 22
@lovebuglena I don't think there's such a thing as the perfect home. But that's why pros and cons exist.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (43065)
• Staten Island, New York
15 Nov 22
@kaylachan If I were to ever buy my own house I'd want no more than two stories. And probably no basement either as that can have flooding issues. Sometimes we have that here.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (43065)
• Staten Island, New York
15 Nov 22
One downside to living here is I don't drive and transportation is a bit of a walk. Plus, in the summer time it's very hot on the third floor, even with central AC. And then this house is three floors plus a basement so a lot to clean. There is also a need for more renovations but it is too good to pass up at the moment.
2 people like this
@nela13 (55698)
• Portugal
15 Nov 22
Rents nowadays are so high, $800 would be expensive for me.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (43065)
• Staten Island, New York
15 Nov 22
Here in NYC $800 is probably unheard of.
2 people like this
@nela13 (55698)
• Portugal
15 Nov 22
@lovebuglena I am glad it is affordable for you.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (43065)
• Staten Island, New York
17 Nov 22
@nela13 We were supposed to live in this house for only a few years but we are still here.
@RebeccasFarm (86732)
• United States
26 Nov 22
Lena you are blessed to live in the house of your people.
• United States
26 Nov 22
@lovebuglena I mean the house that you know..that was bought by your family when I say your people I mean your family
@lovebuglena (43065)
• Staten Island, New York
26 Nov 22
@RebeccasFarm Thanks for the clarification. Good thing my parents never sold the house. Not sure where I'd be living now if they didn't have this house anymore. Hubby was living in a very tiny basement apartment.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (43065)
• Staten Island, New York
26 Nov 22
What do you mean by "in the house of your people"?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325648)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Nov 22
It sounds like you have a really good deal with your living arrangements. We're in the midst of helping our son arrange a mortgage so he can hopefully buy a house.
@lovebuglena (43065)
• Staten Island, New York
17 Nov 22
Maybe one day I will own my own house but at the moment this is the best option. And certainly better than renting an apartment.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (155957)
• United States
16 Nov 22
Happy 30th Anniversary! Renting for $800 a month including utilities is a steal. It's nice that you live next door to the cemetery.
@lovebuglena (43065)
• Staten Island, New York
17 Nov 22
It sure is. Especially for a house.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (43065)
• Staten Island, New York
17 Nov 22
Thank you! I am glad my parents decided to move to the US. I'd go back to Minsk for a visit. I'd have done that already but my parents never wanted to go.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (155957)
• United States
18 Nov 22
@lovebuglena Do you remember Belarus at all? How old were you???
@porwest (78761)
• United States
20 Nov 22
Happy anniversary to you. All the best wishes of course.
@lovebuglena (43065)
• Staten Island, New York
21 Nov 22
Can’t believe it’s been that long since we moved here.
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
24 Nov 22
@lovebuglena Time flies, that's for sure.
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (35085)
• United States
15 Nov 22
My son lives in California he says some will be pay 1000 a month for a room in someone house.
@lovebuglena (43065)
• Staten Island, New York
15 Nov 22
Wow! And it's probably not even a big room.
@TheHorse (205621)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Nov 22
I have spent a lot of time in NY, but I'm not sure that I've ever been to Staten Island.
@lovebuglena (43065)
• Staten Island, New York
18 Nov 22
It’s a borough of NYC but feels like the suburbs a little bit.