Recently, we’ve had a chance to look at a house for rent in the subdivision where we work at (a 2-bedroom floor to be exact). The area of the whole floor was big, enough to accommodate a small dining area, a small kitchen, and a huge veranda aside from the two bedrooms. To top it all off, the place had 2 pools – a full-size adult swimming pool and a wading/kiddie pool – a real piece of work (the kind that is sure to have received a couple of home insurance quotes).  And it was even being given to us at the same rate as the house we are currently renting. But we turned it down.

Why in the world did we do that? Well, for one, the bedrooms were only half the size of the ones we’re currently occupying. The whole veranda was bigger than the two bedrooms combined. That’s a major concern because andrea is less than 6 months away from giving birth to our second baby. What we’ll be needing more by then is bedroom space and not a veranda – a bedroom with enough area to accommodate our queen-size bed, mateo’s sofa bed, and a crib. We can’t exactly spend the night in the veranda. Hello?! The second bedroom will be occupied by their tita so that’s not an option  either.

Second, the place is not exactly the safest area to raise children for various reasons. REASON #1: Pools are hazardous and mateo is not exactly a timid kid. He’s not afraid to try the water nor is he the type that would stay put inside the house if the doors are open. REASON #2: The whole place may be protected by 2 dogs, but it is not at all secured. From our last visit, I remember seeing several areas where robbers could easily have access to. The lot  is surrounded by trees from neighboring subdivisions and is not secured with grills nor do they have any other security measures aside from the 2 mutts. REASON #3: Although I have little problems interacting with other people, I don’t find the thought of sharing your home with other people comfortable, especially with a stranger. Since the Australian owner of the house is staying for 6 more months, we’ll be sharing the space with him till he leaves. We may be occupying two separate floors but we’re still just a floor away from each other. I’d like to keep my privacy.

In the end, we thought it best to stay put. We may still be a subdivision away from work, and pool-less but we’re still safer here than anywhere else. I’d like to keep it that way at least for a little while longer.