Long story– I'm 41, on a fixed income, living with a roommate, and the VA notified me that I'm pre-approved for a home loan. I don't have a set location that I want to live, but I'm looking to own a home under 200k which is still possible in this market. I am kinda over living around a bunch of people, living under their rules, and not having my own.
My friend has been trying to get me to stay on board with his idea of once he gets his Gov't job in my hometown of Atlanta, that I move back and occupy one of the homes on one of his multi home properties and be a groundskeeper. But here's the rub. I'll be living on someone else's property(again), living under their jurisdiction for free room and board, rather than just living my life on my own terms.
People are so adamant on pigeonholing/typecasting me into a labor or security role because I'm a 6ft tall muscular Black guy, and I've done nothing but physical labor/customer service jobs since I left the Army in 2008. I'd like to being strong for myself for once, not for others.
Personally, I want a house where I can plant whatever the fuck I want to plant, have chickens, no HOAs or annoying neighbors(debatable), and most importantly, a place where I do DIY projects and can fully work on my car. I've worked on many a car in a parking lot and the property managers never liked it, but allowed it since otherwise the car would sit, and I always cleaned up afterwards…still got harassed occasionally though.
I don't think he sees that even though I've given him pushback on it. Nothing is in stone yet and I'm still house hunting.
Sorry for the novel, but wanted to give as information regarding my “delimma”. We've been friends and business partners on lot of projects, but I feel he's trying to keep tabs on me, as my real skillet is graphic design. He's even trying get me into an LLC… but I'm okay living a quiet life.
Maybe I'm crazy and missing the bigger picture?
TL;DR
Long-time friend thinks I it's a bad idea to buy a house and basically work for him on his property for free room and board.