Almost safe
Eight apartments and counting...
I just moved again. Correction, I’m almost moved again. It’s kind of comforting seeing my little balcony with the recently emptied storage totes beside the “A” in Marda. Writing has its perks, as one can do it anywhere. Finally, a decent place to call my own.
My Toronto friend asked me what neighbourhood Marda Loop would be like back in the 6ix. I’m a little embarrassed to say that I had to look up why the area was called Marda ‘Loop.’ It used to be a streetcar loop (I wonder when the last time Calgary actually had a streetcar running).
1950.
Then it clicked. I remember Humber Loop, near Roncesvalles. Marda is a mini Roncesvalles. Just a little smaller, newer, and perhaps ‘trendier.’ I chuckled when I sat down for Happy Hour to write, to learn that my wifi works from across the street!
This will be my eighth rental in Calgary:
a basement in Renfrew
Marquee on 16th
a basement in Cochrane
a small townhouse in Cochrane
a room and a private bathroom in Norquay Heights
a bachelor on 26th Avenue
a one-bedroom (also on 26th Avenue)
Marda Loop
That’s not even counting another ‘almost’ apartment in Cochrane, which would have been number 4.5. A place that took a security deposit but didn’t approve me to move in. It’s been a nightmare. Calgary truly is the Wild, Wild West for housing.
Truthfully, I hope this is the last rental I have before I can get approved for a mortgage. That’s another story, and potentially some time away.
Moving is exhausting.
Especially on your own.
Moving is worse when you have terrible landlords. I have a story for all, but for now, landlord #7 is harassing me. Truly harassing me. It’s extremely triggering, seeing as my own alleged harassment trial is in three weeks.
So many thoughts and feelings and words … more to come.