The Lease is Here!

I know where I am going to live now! 

I have signed, scanned and sent my lease back to Barrow! All of the boxes that I send will be sitting in my house waiting for me to arrive. I will definitely bake cupcakes for the persons responsible for making that happen. 

It should be noted that my rent in Cincinnati is more expensive than Barrow. My utilities are set rates and they are very good rates. Think about what you pay per month in the winter time for heat. Now think about what you would pay for heating your house if it was constantly below freezing. 

I have not seen pictures of the housing, but from reading all the forums and websites that I could find, everyone is satisfied with the housing in Barrow. Its not about looking good, its about what you need to survive. And that's what how we feel about things. We don't need to have anything fancy. We want to be comfortable and not freeze. :)

Tenant Information Form!

Today I received an email containing my Tenant Information Form. This form will help the district decide my housing assignment. According to the Negotiated Agreement, if I am assigned district housing I have to live there as a condition of employment. If I read that correctly, then its a form of forced housing due to employment. I need to check with a tax accountant about it, but it sounds like I can write off my housing costs. awesome!

Another bonus about working for this school district is the price of rent. Currently, I pay $785 for a 2BD in an awesome school district. I pay the extra money so that the girls can attend a school in a community that values education. In Barrow, I will pay $776 for a 3BD! Utilities in Barrow are charged at a set rate for me. It will be $150 per unit plus $50 for each non-teacher occupant. After doing some math it comes to $350 for electric, water and gas. Gas in temperatures that range from -40 to 50 degrees. I am okay with that!

Cable and internet is not included. We have an Amazon Prime membership and watch many of our favorite shows online now. I will have to find a way to see The Walking Dead! It is my guilty pleasure show that makes me smile. I enjoy The Vikings, but I know I can watch that show online. I can't seem to make it to 10pm sometimes. 

Massie will not be coming with us to Alaska. I don't think that she would survive the cold or the living with other dogs. She will be going to a family members house. (Anyone interested?)

After some calls to the district, I learned that they will try to place me near the school, but it might not be possible. I'm okay with that because I will have a child in all three schools. Georgia will be in elementary school, Abi will be in middle school and Emily will be at the high school. 

I've been a bundle of excitement after receiving one piece of paper from the district. I will be smiling for a bit, knowing that the countdown has started. Once my contract arrives, I will be able to buy my tickets and start sending items to my new town. 

The end is nigh...