When I moved from my house in Mount Washington in 2006, I said to myself: no more houses away from the ocean; no more crazy mortgages to pay for a house I can hardly afford; no more partnerships on a house deal.
Now that I've been hit by house fever again, I realize that I'll be able to keep my word only on one third of my propositions, specifically: no partnerships on house deals. No matter who I am with and how sweet he might be, my next house needs to be only mine. Partnership on Future Street limited my freedom in an unbearable way and I would not go through the same stressful experience twice.
Money vanished my other intentions, though. In these days, I am also learning how hard it is to take money out of banks, no matter if the money is in your name and legally yours. Banks tend to delay payment as much as possible. They're almost worse than the publishing houses I work for with free lancers' fee retribution and book royalties. So I might end up with another damn crazy mortgage to pay off later.
Ocean would be my utter preference but my budget can get only tear-downs there or shacks not even worth it to be called home. So back I am to canyons and hills. Topanga, my first crush in the L.A. area when I came to town, is still my n.1 choice. Runner-ups are Mount Washington and, yes, the Hollywood Hills. Since I want to spend the next year or so writing my hard boiled novel, what place can be best than the usual Michael Connelly's scenarios?
Ahhhh, the scent of unsolved mysteries that surrounds those hills! It works like nectar for my thirsty throat and mind in need of revamping its creative juices. But the place needs to be more than just woodsy. Spacious, airy and full of natural light throughout. Possibly open floorplan, high ceilings, glass walls and superb views. A peaceful retreat yet one step from city-life. Did I mention a good size yard for me to make an organic garden out of it? And possibly a koi pond, waterfalls and whatever my imagination would like to create while I'm there?
Here you come, then. If you know of anything that satisfies the above criteria, please send me over your suggestions and finds. I promise I will find a way to reward your efforts and will be forever thankful anyhow.
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