First things first: I’d like to say that I’m terribly upset and worried that Richard Hammond from Top Gear is in the hospital. Top Gear is one of the only television shows that I enjoy watching. Go and figure that it is only shown in England. Haven’t seen an episode? Check it out on YouTube or try their website on the BBC. Get better, Hamster. However, I must say that if you’re going to suffer a brain injury there’s no better way to do it than in a rocket car.

Here we are looking at our relocation options. If I’m going to be doing the commuting thing, then I’m still going to need a home base (a Bat Cave?) during the weekdays. This seems like it is going to take a little bit of juggling on my part. Check out my options:

Extended Stay Hotel
What: The extended stay hotel, such as Residence Inn or AmeriSuites, are geared towards the business traveller. All the benefits of home in a hotel room!
Cost: $99/day
Pros: I like hotels! I like home! This is like the mutant bastard child of both!
Cons: $99/day, need I say more?

Apartment
What: An apartment is a like a hotel but without all the hotel-ish ammenities. You know what an apartment is – you’ve probably lived in one at one time. No maid service, you take care of yourself, you rent the dwelling and furnish it.
Cost: $30-67/day
Pros: Just like college! Kegger at my place! I would almost be like starting over again.
Cons: I would need to find one that would take dogs, just in case I bring one or both with me.

Rent House
What: Yet another nice mutant child of owning a house and renting an apartment! You live in the house like you own it but you don’t! You pay rent to a landlord and you have no equity!
Cost: About the same as owning a house, approximately $1800/month
Pros: Something breaks due to normal wear and tear, I’m not responsible for it.
Cons: I still gotta cut the grass.

Own Two Houses
What: We own a house in Northern Virginia. We buy another house in North Carolina.
Cost: About $5000/month
Pros: It seems like we’re really rich because we can afford two houses!
Cons: We really can’t 😉

Buy One House/Sell One House
What: The obvious – we sell our house in Northern Virginia and use the profit from it to buy a shiny new house in North Carolina
Cost: About $2000/month
Pros: Only one mortgage. Houses in North Carolina are cheaper.
Cons: I would miss having property in Northern Virginia. Otherwise, that’s pretty much it.

Ugh. There you have it. Anyone have any bright ideas or suggestions?