Thirty-five Homes in seventy-six years

I’ve had thirty-five homes in seventy-six years. In this post I’m going to try and rank them. The best and the worst. Because I want to see if I can discern any patters with regards to What makes a good home.

To begin, I’m not going to count the first ten homes of my life. Because I didn’t choose them. I lived at home with my parents. Furthermore, my father was in the US Air Force so we moved every one, two, or three years. Moreover, I don’t recall much about them, at least up until the middle-school years. Therefore, the first ten don’t count. However, that still leaves twenty-five to consider. I think that’s a lot! Unusual. For instance, my brother, who shared with me those first ten; later only had eight. And once he settled down, he lived in the same home for forty-three years. My longest stint was seventeen years. That home (which I built myself) comes in at number seven.

Let’s get into it.

The Top Ten

1. 341 Lodgepole Dr. Evergreen, CO (1989-2004). The home was at 9,500 feet, built into the side of a mountain, with a view of Denver’s lights. I was in , as a man, the prime of life–39 to 54 years old.
2. 33021 Poudre Canyon Hwy , CO (2005-2008 intermittently). I was still robust. The home was a small cabin I’d rented at a resort. Right on the river. I was 55 to 58 years old.

   

3. 1024 Harbor Dr. Lincoln City, OR (2004-2005). It was a 2-bedroom bungalow I’d rented. Close enough to the ocean to hear the roar. I was 54 to 55 years old.
4. 2221 Park Centre Dr. Westminster, CO (2017-2025). The home was a one bedroom “luxury” apartment, 4th floor, elevator, garage, clubhouse, and pool. I was 67 t0 75 years old. Retired.

   

5. The “Tree House”: A two bedroom apartment I’d rented with my brother in Carlsbad, CA. So as to be close to our father as he lie dying. (2016) It was close to the ocean and perched on a hill. I was 66 years old.*
6. A one bedroom cabin I’d rented at a resort 10 miles up Poudre River Canyon, Colorado. (2009) This was after having lived in the Inland Empire, CA for a spell (with my son). I was 59 years old.
7. 10973 S. Milliken Ave, Conifer, Colorado. (1972-1989) This is the home I built, which took me nine years to complete. It was at 8,400 feet surrounded by forest. My son was born there in 1983. I was 21 to 39 years old. Very strong and robust. Building, bartending, and cabinetmaking.
8. A two-bedroom apartment, 2nd floor, in Laporte, CO. (2008-2009) It was quiet, on the outskirts of Fort Collins and close to the Poudre River. I was 58-59 years old.
9. A two-bedroom house I’d rented in Walden , CO. (2007) Walden is a town with a population of 750. It sits in North Park basin surrounded by wilderness. I was 57 years old.
10. A camp in Young’s Gulch, a creek that fed the Poudre River (1971). I was 21.*

The Five Worst

1. A one-bedroom cabin in Sandy, Oregon. (1974) I tended bar in a Portland hotel and never saw the sun. I was 24-25 years old.
2. A commune in Crow Hill, Maine. (1972) I was helping a friend build a home. 22 years old.
3. My friend’s uncle’s rustic* cabin in the Poconos, Pennsylvania. (1971) I was 21 years old.
4. The “Root Cellar” dwelling on East Mulberry, Fort Collins, (1969) A commune. I was 19.
5. The “Garage”, w/a pig, on Taft Hill Road, Fort Collins, (1970) 20 years old.

The Middle Ten (In no particular order.)

1. A two-bedroom apartment on Myrtle Street in Fort Collins. (1969) I was 19.
2. 406 Peterson Street, Fort Collins, CO. (1972) I was 22.

   

3. Rustic cabin on Toad Hill in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire (1971). 21 years old.
4. Rustic cabin, Poudre River Canyon, Colorado. (1971) 21 years old.
5. Another rustic cabin (this one I built) West Elk Creek, Colorado. (2008) 58 years old.
6. One bedroom apartment in Upland, California (2008-09). I shared with my son and slept on the floor. There was a pool and hot tub. I was 58-59.
7. A small trailer in Bellvue, Colorado (1969). I shared with my cousin. AKA “Pot Head”. I was 19.
8. An A-frame, rustic cabin in Rist Canyon, Colorado (1970). I was 20.
9. 2228 Bruchez Parkway, Westminster, CO (2010- 2017) A one-bedroom apartment, 3rd floor, with a garage. clubhouse and pool. I was 60-67 years old. Teaching and writing.
10. Big house, Lecompton, Kansas (2025-) TBD. It’s a multi-family compound. I’m 76.

In Conclusion

In conclusion regarding having thirty-five homes in seventy-six years, several things jump out.

The early “adult” years can be chaotic. I had 10 homes from the age of 19 to 21, one of which is in the top ten. Four in the worst five. These were my first years of college and after. To say someone is an adult at 18 seems ridiculous. Allowing them a vote? Crazy.

I didn’t mention any women. Obviously who you share a home with matters. However, women do not necessarily mean stable. They can be a steading influence. Grounding, for sure. But also part of instability: economically, psychologically, emotionally, physically, mentally, and socially. The cornerstones of good health.

Size doesn’t matter. In-door plumbing seems to.

Location matters. Where you live, of course, is of personal preference. I like water, oceans and rivers. Prefer open spaces. I like mountains and trees, and prefer quiet. Except for the sound of moving water.

How about you? Can anyone top my thirty-five? What’s the longest you’ve lived in one home? Any other “military brat” readers? If so, are you more like my brother, or me?

• The Tree House

  

• was a home I considered making permanent at the time (2017). However, instead, I moved to #4 in Westminster, Colorado. Now, here in effing Kansas, nine years later – I wonder. What if, in 2017, I’d chose to move to sunny, southern California instead of move to Park Centre Drive? “Things” might have been quite different for me. Or would they?
• “Rustic” means no indoor plumbing. And sometimes, no electricity.
• The camp was a canvas lean-to. I lived there with my girlfriend for a spell, between actual 4-sided, wooden homes. There, we hosted our friend’s wedding in June of 1971. We roasted seven chickens on an open, fire-pit for the party.