John—
It’s not the carrying the bike up and down that bothers me here, it’s carrying it through the apartment that’s become a problem. You’ve seen how narrow my kitchen is. Svelte as I am, there’s just not enough room for me and the bike at the same time. You should see how marked-up the walls and doorways have become.

When I look at the place again—with the bike this time—I’ll be checking the timing and tension of the automatic door closers in the vestibule and on the apartment, navigating a 90° corner in the upstairs hallway, as well as the elevator size. The bike certainly fits in the elevator standing on its back wheel. I’d rather be able to to use it with both wheels on the floor so I don’t have to remove the panniers.

I’ve lived in this neighborhood for over ten years now and know most of the ins and outs of housing within it. I’ve come to prefer a building over a conversion for two reasons:

Professional landlords with professional management. Conversions and owner-occupied are generally amateur landlords, and they can be problematic.Sound transmission. This building is the exception in that regard.

There’s no pressure or lease issues with this landlord. My lease isn’t up until April. The manager told me that there’s never any lease problem moving from unit to unit or building to building. Plus, she said, “You’ve been with us for three years now, so there wouldn’t be a problem either if you decided to move elsewhere.”

They’re also aware of the tenant issues in this building, but their hands are tied due to leases. The maintenance guy who showed me the loft, when he heard I was thinking of moving said, “Oh, not another one. And one of the good ones too.”

I’m thinking the tenant problems here are because the rent is so low. Without exception the problem tenants have been students and those who, for whatever reason, are unable to work. Both these classes look for cheap rent. $500/mo including heat for a one-bedroom is cheap in this neighborhood.

While revealing my decision to move is sudden, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been thinking it through for a while now. It’s by no means impulsive. I’ve been considering it since even before I bought the bike. Bike matters would be driving this move even if there were no neighbor issues.

I have looked at other properties as well. Each one had more drawbacks than advantages.

I’ve also thought through the ones you mentioned. Salina’s is on the courtyard side of the building. This loft is on the opposite side. The elevator is publicly accessible during the day, buzzer access at night. There are always bikes locked to the gates and railings in the courtyard. I assume it’ staff and patrons of the other businesses. I don’t anticipate any issues during the day. I wouldn’t leave it down there at night though.

There’s one other advantage I hadn’t mentioned. There are four other Internet and technology companies with offices in Village Gate. A Village Gate Square address gives additional cred to my business. Even I didn’t know there was some residential in the Square. Turns out, Building E is rented either way. Most of the units on the fourth floor are used as offices. (Hence the public access during the day.)

I lived on East Ave and in the Oxford/Monroe area years ago, there are many great places to live in your general area. Check out laundrymat bulletin boards. Take your time looking around. I think you can cut rent deals by asking for a better price. Some of the old mansions on East Ave are owner occupied places. Those can be desirable arrangements for you and a landlord. I once lived in a great loft studio at 450 Oxford st., there were many places worth checking out around there.

Don’t be pressured into signing a new lease or moving from where you are now. When your present lease expires the landlord will not automatically evict you. There will be pressure from the landlord to “re-up” before expiration. Rather, if you have not found the new place, go “month to month” where you live now while you continue the search.

I can provide you transportation help with the move, let me know. Ginny said to say Hi!