Some of you were aware I was waiting to hear whether I would lose my huge and lovely 2 BR apartment (wood floors, fireplace, porch, garden, roses, wisteria, quince tree)...

Well I got my notice today from the new owner. Apparently he had been planning to live in the upper unit and let me stay on but he decided he could not "afford" that and want to live in my unit and rent the 4 BR unit above (after completely renovating it of course, which apparenty he CAN "afford").

The rental market in Boston now is a nightmare. My rent has been $800 for 4 years; the going rate for my place now is $1600. Of course, the house itself went from $300 grand to $400 grand in just one year...

So any kind thoughts would be appreciated as me and my kitties seek our new digs in a city increasingly hostile to low-income people...

Looks like my trip to England and Scotland in June will have to be postponed indefinitely since I will have to rustle up a huge amount of money for a deposit...

ah well, life is full of changes and challenges.