Moving targets: Every change of address is a sign of my changing goals | CBC News Skip to Main ContentAccessibility Help Menu When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Search Search Sign In Quick Links News Sports Radio Music Listen Live TV Watch news Top Stories Local COVID-19 Climate World Canada Politics Indigenous Opinion The National Business Health Entertainment Science CBC News Investigates Go Public About CBC News Being Black in Canada More Moving targets: Every change of address is a sign of my changing goals | CBC News Loaded Edmonton·First Person Moving targets: Every change of address is a sign of my changing goals For Giselle General, changing financial priorities have meant changing addresses. She’s hoping her most recent move to a west Edmonton suburb will be her last. Social Sharing I used to want roommates. Now I want affordable. And always, I need the bus Giselle General · for CBC First Person · Posted: May 08, 2022 8:00 AM MT | Last Updated: May 9 For Giselle General, changing priorities have meant changing addresses. She’s hoping her most recent move to a west Edmonton suburb will be her last. (Therese Kehler/CBC) comments This First Person article is from Giselle General, a Filipina Canadian who married a born-and-raised Edmontonian and lives with him in their fully paid off home. Her story is part of The Henday Project, a CBC Edmonton initiative focused on the suburbs. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ. "$1,000 of our monthly mortgage payments goes toward interest?!" I cursed in English, Tagalog and Ilocano as my husband and I reviewed our mortgage statement. I've been told that people move to a new home at least five times in their life as their goals change. Turns out, it's true. I immigrated from the Philippines and came to Edmonton in 2008 when I was 17. I first lived in The Hamptons, a neighbourhood on Edmonton's far west edge. It was a six-bedroom, split-level house where I had my own bedroom; there was another for my brother when he immigrated a few years later. At first there were six of us, then there were 10 — aunts, uncles, cousins, all sharing the rent, the parking spaces and the common expenses. It helped all of us get settled in this new city. But transit service was minimal, and it took a long time to get around. Even taxi drivers were perplexed when asked to take us to this unfamiliar territory. "There are street numbers above 200?" "Yup! Just head west. Once you go beyond the Henday, I'll tell you the rest." Bus routes were a key part of the house-hunting research for General, who works downtown at the Edmonton Community Legal Centre. (Giselle General) My then-boyfriend, a born-and-raised Edmontonian from the west side, bought his first place after we started dating: a two-bedroom condo in Lewis Estates. In 2013, it became the second place I lived in Edmonton when I moved there with my teenage brother in tow. In 2015, we had new goals in mind. My boyfriend was thinking that a bigger house with lots of roommates would help us save for retirement more quickly. For me, I wanted a quicker commute to my downtown job. Looks like we'd be moving again. He nudged me to consider Rio Terrace, the mature neighbourhood along Edmonton's river valley where he grew up. My research involved a transit map, where I traced the frequent bus routes and highlighted areas nearby. Our next home, a 1969 bi-level, had space for two to three roommates, including my brother. It was a lovely home, much more spacious than the condo and the roommates were covering half of our mortgage. It was walkable to many places and I felt connected to the neighbourhood by volunteering for the community league. Stress, a pandemic and transit upheaval Then, the pandemic happened. My husband was burning out at his job which was high-paying but also high-stress. In April 2021, the bus routes were changed. In the fall, I lost in my candidacy for city councillor. It was time again to re-evaluate our future, including our careers, retirement and housing. We realized if we pooled some savings and sold this house, we could buy a smaller home in cash. This time, I used Google Maps to check for houses with good bus routes on the west end. We found a 1970s three-bedroom townhouse in West Meadowlark Park that met our needs. "You're chasing the #4 bus!" laughed my friend when I told her the address. "I sure am! I also have the #2 and an LRT in the future." Four neighbourhoods in 14 years: From left, The Hamptons, Lewis Estates, Rio Terrace and Meadowlark Park. (Google maps) As moving day approached, we eagerly reminded ourselves that we'll be truly debt-free. We'd found our Goldilocks moment — a home that is just right and that will help us have a life that aligns with our values. We are both simple and minimalistic, organized and frugal and desire financial independence. We just changed the definition of it. Instead of retiring early, we'll have no debt, which means flexibility to take risks and have a relaxed life now. We have more space to ourselves compared to our previous homes — even separate offices. My husband is thrilled to not have a large yard to maintain; I was thrilled to see our sidewalks cleaned off a few hours after a snowfall. Read more stories from The Henday Project Read more personal stories written by Albertans We've walked to West Edmonton Mall, the Italian Centre and T & T to get cooking staples. There are numerous neighbourhood business plazas and community centres easily reachable by foot or by bus. According to our budgeting software, being mortgage-free cuts our living costs by 50 per cent. My husband still asks me, "Is this downsizing a downgrade for you?" "Heck no! It's just right for us. Besides, home is wherever I'm with you." Do you have a compelling personal story that can bring understanding or help others? We want to hear from you. Here's more info on how to pitch to us. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Giselle General Freelance contributor Giselle General is a Filipina Canadian and self-described “serial volunteer” who is trying to make a positive impact in the community. She volunteers for her neighbourhood, government boards and non-profit organizations, and writes for the Alberta Filipino Journal and on her blog FilipinaYEG. CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|About CBC News Corrections and clarifications|Submit a news tip| Report error Related Stories Read more personal stories written by Albertans First Person If not Rome, then home: How the end of travel helped me love where I live First Person Family circles: A girl, her many parents and the ring road that binds them First Person How a suburban path taught me to accommodate catnaps and appreciate change First Person A community rich in spirit turned my starter home into my forever one Comments To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. Become a CBC Member Join the conversation Create account Already have an account? Footer Links My Account Profile CBC Gem Newsletters About CBC Membership Connect with CBC Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Mobile RSS Podcasts Contact CBC Submit Feedback Help Centre Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6 Toll-free (Canada only): 1-866-306-4636 About CBC Corporate Info Sitemap Reuse & Permission Terms of Use Privacy Jobs Our Unions Independent Producers Political Ads Registry AdChoices Services Ombudsman Corrections and Clarifications Public Appearances Commercial Services CBC Shop Doing Business with Us Renting Facilities Radio Canada International Accessibility It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. About CBC Accessibility Accessibility Feedback ©2022 CBC/Radio-Canada. All rights reserved. Visitez Radio-Canada.ca now