Joan Crescent

What a gift!

Yarrow and I are house sitting for a family friend in a great neighbourhood in Victoria. In May 2006 Yarrow and I started looking for a place to live together as we were getting married in July. I am always thinking of how silly it is how much unused resources there are out there and there must be a way to benefit from it. Fortunately this was just the case for Yarrow and me.
This beautiful house (see picture) had been sitting vacant for a year. Unfortunately the elderly woman who owned the place came down with dimentia and was unable to stay at home. Yarrow's mother, Jill, grew up across the street and use to frequent the place. Jill's family was good friends with the elderly woman's family. Jill passed the message onto the family that Yarrow and I were looking for a place to stay. It was the perfect situation. Having us house sit meant that the family would not have to prepare the house for renters. This would be a big deal as we all know what it's like to move someone out of a place where they have been living for years. The family would also get a way better deal on home insurance. Once a home is vacant for over a year insurance rates sky rocket and the coverage is very weak.
The price was right. We were to stay and pay the utilities such as electricity, cable and phone and the family takes care of the rest: 2 grounds keepers, water, maintenance, land tax and insurance.
It is a true blessing. The house features three bedrooms, two fireplaces, two washer/dryers, great entertainmetn center and a great view of Craigdarroch Castle. It's similar to living in Disneyland. There is a steady stream of tourists that come by and take pictures of the house. We have now been here for almsot 10 months and we there is still no end in sight. It has been a great way to start a life together.