I’ve mentioned this in passing, but I haven’t officially announced it, so: Matt and I are moving in together this summer. We’ve been together more than a year and a half now, and we started talking about this almost a year ago. Since Matt’s moving to a new building anyway, and since my landlord (who bought my building several months ago) is planning to either sell my apartment as a condo when the lease comes up or raise my rent, and doesn’t mind if I end my lease early, it seems like a good time. Matt’s a residence hall director for the New School (I bet you didn’t even know the New School had residence halls), and he gets his own apartment in the building he runs, but he’s switching to a different building in a couple of weeks. We’ll be living on West Eighth Street, right in the Village.
I’ve lived with Matt de facto in his current apartment since last fall. I sleep there every night, most of my clothes are there, my weekend newspaper gets delivered there, etc. Officially moving in together will be slightly different, of course; it will officially be our place, and I won’t have that buffer zone of my Jersey City apartment if I ever feel like spending some time alone. But I’ll have my computer, all my books and bookshelves, my CDs and DVDs, the rest of my clothes, and all my little tchotchkes that make a place home. Plus there’ll be a spare office on the floor above us that we might set up as a little “study” for me if I ever feel like having a quiet space.
In general, there are three big plusses to this move.
One, Matt and I will be living together!
Two, I’ll be living in Manhattan. Finally. Long, longtime readers of this blog will recall that for many years now, I’ve wanted to leave Jersey City and finally move into Manhattan. It’s comical how many times in the past I’ve written something here like “I’m moving to Manhattan. I mean it this time,” and didn’t actually do it. Well, I’m doing it.
Three, the apartment is rent-free. Yup. Living in Manhattan, rent-free. Living in the Village, rent-free. And it’s a great apartment with a nice view, and a large kitchen by Manhattan standards. So all the money I’m currently paying in rent, I will instead put toward my student loans.
Matt gets the place next Friday (and two days later the Pride Parade marches right down our street), and during the month of July I’ll be moving in my stuff and selling the things I no longer want.
I guess it’s normal to be nervous, and I am. But I’m also excited.
Or as Stephen Sondheim put it:
“Marry me a little
Love me just enough
Cry but not too often
Play but not too rough
Keep a tender distance
So we’ll both be free
That’s the way it ought to be
I’m ready
I’m ready
[Remainder of song lyrics deleted; no need to post an entire song. I get the point.]
how is it rent-free ? Matt’s taking up all the rent ?
My boyfriend and I are presently in the same state of duel residency as you and Matt. Our clothes and other personal items mingle freely between two apartments. Almost every night we sleep together at one of our places. He plants flowers in earthen pots on my balcony. My hockey bag is under his dining-room table. We are slowly creating touchstones which are neither ‘mine’ nor ‘his’, but ‘ours’.
Blessings to you and Matt as you create your home together.
Jon: It’s rent-free for both of us. Matt gets a rent-free apartment in exchange for his job.
Yay you! I’m so glad this is finally happening for you two.
BTW, Jeff and I will be in New York for my birthday at the end of July, and want to see you guys again then.
congrats on moving in together. living with your honey is really the best thing EVER.
This is wonderful, in quite a few different ways. Congrats!
Congratulations! What an exciting time! Jeffrey and I moved into an apartment together over 1.5 years ago. But like you and Matt we already had practice “living together” at my place or his. It just made sense to move in together. And in May 2004 we bought a condo together.
Only thing…I’m jealous you get to live in Manhattan rent free. You lucky dog you. Live it up!
I so envy you. Rent-free in the village!
I’m so glad that you guys are getting to live together. I’m a little jealous over the rent free status!
Congratulations! I’m very happy for you and Matt. I’ve been reading your blog for years now, and I’m glad that your dream of living in Manhattan is coming true!
And look, my husband and I have a blog, so you cn check that out if you are interested.
Ronda
:)
Rent free.
In the West Village.
::thud::
Congrats, big time!
Congrats TinMan. This is wonderful news. Go out and celebrate by you guys buying a piece of furniture together. Spend big, after all you’re saving a helluva lot.
Very good setup.
Congratulations! I’ve been with someone for 25+ years now and it only gets better! Go for it!!
“…and a large kitchen by Manhattan standards.”
Does this mean the two of you might actually learn how to cook?
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