Moving on up...

Shortly after my last post, my huge plans were somewhat derailed by the announcement that the house in which I am a tenant is up for sale. Since moving to Natal at the beginning of 2007, I have moved no fewer than 5 times, excluding the initial move down here. If you consider that prior to that I had moved 10 times in as many years, my life assumes a nomadic quality worthy of epic literature. If only I had a ring to destroy, a dragon to slay, or a world to colonise!

The growing herbs project has been put into temporary abeyance as I can't actually do any gardening when I may have to up sticks at any point, although the basil is, shockingly enough, still alive in its seedling tray. Can't say the same for the parsley, but since all I've done is put them outside and let the rain water them, a 50% success rate isn't half bad. Ok, yes it is, but you know what I mean.

As for the exercise plan, that has been postponed indefinitely due to paralysis caused by deep depression brought on by the idea of having to pack and move yet again.

But since the prospect of a move is looming largely in my future, I have decided to be proactive and keep on top of current real estate trends so that I know what is available in my price range. As it turns out, the answer is nothing, especially since I have a cat that I am almost pathologically attached to and unwilling to live without.

However, I accidentally found an ad for a flat in the Cape, which not only falls in my price range, but is also an actual apartment in a complex, as opposed to the "granny flat on shared property" option which is all that is available to me here.

After a bit more research, I have discovered that in the Cape it is not only possible to rent a reasonable dwelling for a reasonable rate, one can also get a job for an actual living wage.

I therefore find myself asking a very serious question: why am I struggling to make ends meet in a place that I cannot afford with a salary that would be at least 50% higher in any other province, when I can just live in another province, get paid properly, and be able to afford a lifestyle instead of merely an excuse for a life?

There are a few pros to staying where I am. First of all, my family, and especially my nieces, are here and leaving them would be like ripping my heart out. Secondly, I really do love my job. I love the work, I love the people, I love everything about it except the salary, which is actually as good as I would get in Natal. Thirdly, a big move across the country would be outrageously expensive.

And yet I find myself contemplating doing exactly that on an increasingly frequent basis. There are at least as many pros for moving as there are for staying, such as the rugby team, the aforementioned income vs rent disparity, and the proximity to wine farms (which ties in with my long term Zombie Apocalypse goals). And if any good concerts come to SA, they always go to Jhb and Cpt and bypass Durban completely, so there's the chance of actual cultural stimulus as well. And there are more jobs in the field that I want to enter (publishing) in Cape Town (some) than in Durban (none).

I actually found a job today that is very similar to what I'm doing at present,  so I sent in my CV. To be honest, I"m not entirely sure what response I'm hoping for.