At Last

Finally, I have news for you. Has the suspense been killing you!? :) Well, it's been even worse on me. First I had to make a decision, with backups; then I had to find reasonably priced housing. Due to the weather dropping, I've had to stay in motels for nearly 2 weeks, which has really killed the billfold. Well, everything came together today - in very fine form.

Choice Number 2 was Tellico Plains, TN. I really like that little town. In fact, just today, I found some reasonably-priced housing up the mountain in the next town. I held that in reserve as a backup to what I was working on. Tellico Plains came in at Number 2 really because of its disadvantages: little available housing, little or no employment (though a good job is coming open in the future), and no church possibility within an hour's drive. I felt I needed one or two of those possibilities for it to make any sense moving there.

Choice Number 1 is (a little drum roll here) Dahlonega, Georgia! I wrote about this only a couple of blogs ago (you can back up and review that). The Square is the coolest I've encountered, even though I realize it is really for the tourists and not the locals. The terrain, foothills to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is hilly and woodsy. Very beautiful. I almost had to give up finding reasonably-priced housing until today. I have rented a small 2-bedroom apartment (walkout basement) about 5 miles north of town. I only have to pay electricity (electric heat) in addition to the rent. No deposit, no last month, even reduced first month. As part of the rent, I get cable TV, a washer and dryer, water, septic and trash pickup. It's really quite a steal. I love being out in the country. My nearest off-the-property neighbor is a vineyard and winery. A couple live next door to me and a single, older man above me. I couldn't turn down all of this for a low rent. I got the apartment without a lease (I promised to stay for a minimum of 6 months). Compared with everything I looked at, I know I did very well. I'm a pleased pup tonight.

I spent the afternoon setting up accounts (electric and mail delivery). I've checked out the library, but can't get a card for at least a month with local ID. The library is okay (1950s?); it'll have to due. I'll try to get some pictures taken when I've gotten settled in. Must now go buy sheets and some cleaning supplies. The start of a new life. I'm excited.