so, i did put an application in for something, today.

i'm a little apprehensive about it. it's at the back of the building, and i didn't see any butts back there; all of the butts were in the front of the building. there's empty lots around the building, too. so, i'd really only have to seriously control for the tenant below me, who doesn't seem to smoke.

it's a central air unit, which is actually illegal. you're not allowed to recycle air between units. i guess that, if the issue comes up, i can give them a nice ultimatum on that one, right? in theory, it should be easy enough to put a solo line in. and, they'd have no choice but to do it - or face a lawsuit i'm sure to win. there's no ambiguity on this point at all, in the law. you can't do that. but, maybe they've already fixed it and it's a non-issue...

it's also a little further from downtown than i'd like it to be.

the upside is that it's actually cheaper than where i am right now, by $25/month, and it's not measurably smaller in terms of usable space. the kitchen is a little bigger, and the bedroom is a little smaller, so it balances out; i can put the bookshelves in the kitchen, instead. the living room is a little smaller,  but there's some extra space in a personal hallway - which roughly balances out, given that where i am right now doesn't have an entrance, and i'm putting my shoes on in the living room.

the building is actually rather similar to the one i had to leave, but it's an upper level rather than a lower one. i'll admit that i could see myself getting on management to move me downstairs if it opens up.

as always, the biggest drawback is the smoke, but all i can do is keep learning and keep adjusting. i can't foresee the future, or predict things that aren't obvious. like, they could build a rooming house on the open side. then, i'm fucked.

so, it's not perfect, but it's good enough to try to get out in front of on. & we'll see how that goes.