When your neighborhood is declining, but you can't afford to get out?

[beeboah]

In general, I was wondering what steps you would take if you can see that your neighborhood is declining but live in an area where the cost of living is high.

I live in Northern Virginia with my wife and toddler.

We started off in a one bedroom, but were able to move up to a townhouse relatively quickly.

I think we are on the fussy side, but can't stand the following:

1) People going 50 in the complex, when the posted speed limit is 10. (A kid could just jump out and that would be it).

2) You can hear children screaming outside in the common playground until 1 a.m.

3) People play their stereos as loud as they can and do burnouts in the parking lots before they drive by.

4) Starting to see lots of hanging out on the corners by kids.

I know its preliminary, but it seems like no one in this neighborhood gives a crap.

We can't just get up and leave, can't afford all the penalties to save my wife's credit rating etc.

I also feel that we have come too far (from Florida) to just give up on our community.

5) Everyone thinks that their townhouse is a palace and plays their bass on their stereo as loud as they can. Call the cops, and the problem starts again in just a few days. (We started a paper trail and used that to get out of our first apartment here).

What do you think?

Thanks

I don't mean to sound uncaring or wielding an air of indifference, but... from what you have described below, it appears that you and yours have moved into a community of Sovereigns who are doing what any sovereign would do if that sovereign felt like doiing it.

Now, if you desire to lean on statutory provisions of the law, I can see where you would have a valid complaint. Speeding, Child Neglect, disturbing the peace, loitering, etc. Depending on the social norm for the community that you are now living in, would determine what the common law really consists of.

Jerry.

Originally Posted by beeboah

In general, I was wondering what steps you would take if you can see that your neighborhood is declining but live in an area where the cost of living is high.

I live in Northern Virginia with my wife and toddler.

We started off in a one bedroom, but were able to move up to a townhouse relatively quickly.

I think we are on the fussy side, but can't stand the following:

1) People going 50 in the complex, when the posted speed limit is 10. (A kid could just jump out and that would be it).

2) You can hear children screaming outside in the common playground until 1 a.m.

3) People play their stereos as loud as they can and do burnouts in the parking lots before they drive by.

4) Starting to see lots of hanging out on the corners by kids.

I know its preliminary, but it seems like no one in this neighborhood gives a crap.

We can't just get up and leave, can't afford all the penalties to save my wife's credit rating etc.

I also feel that we have come too far (from Florida) to just give up on our community.

5) Everyone thinks that their townhouse is a palace and plays their bass on their stereo as loud as they can. Call the cops, and the problem starts again in just a few days. (We started a paper trail and used that to get out of our first apartment here).

What do you think?

Thanks

[beeboah]

good information, thanks!

[mikah2k]

Anywhere you may take up housekeeping, consider it temporary, though you may dwell there for 5+ years. You cannot pick who moves in next to you, but you can pick how far away your nearest neighbor is. No neighborhood is worth staying in if/when my family or sanity or peace etc. is at stake.

Houses, apartments, etc. can come and go, but your relationships (family, friends, church family, etc.) are worth saving and maintaining.

First thing I would is ask God if this neighborhood is worth having my presence.
If God says yes, then I would find a way to "save" the hood.

Sample Way 1,
Buy out all living quarters of unpleasant neighbors: sounds impossible doesn't it.
Example: Sue each unpleasant neighbor, on statutory grounds, as suggested by Jerry.

Sample Way 2
Scare away all unpleasant neighbors: sounds do-able but suspect.
Example: Sue each unpleasant neighbor, on statutory grounds, as suggested by Jerry.

Sample Way 3
Take over city hall and issue unpleasant city ordinances: very doable, but time consuming.
Example: Sue each unpleasant neighbor, on statutory grounds, as suggested by Jerry.

Sample Way 4
Fry the electronics of your neighbors and release pitbulls onto the streets at midnight.

If God says no, then I would ask God for a way to afford to move.

Sample Way 1
Perhaps an additional remuneration or income would help.
A link to a way to afford to move.

Sample Way 2
I have read that it is possible to have a correctly-motivated house-owner to give a complete stranger the deed and keys and possession of his house: and this is commonplace.
Example: Search your target market/neighborhood for such motivated house-owners.

Sample Way 3
Trailer-homes can make great low-cost living quarters for yourself or cashflow if acquired cheaply enough. I met a man who paid three thousand FRNs for a trailer-home and charged rent of four hundred FRNs per month.

Nice response Mikah... I like it.

Jerry