Neighborhood Of Peers?

84CAB · 12-09-2007, 05:29 PM

Anyone here live in a neighborhood they don't like? Two years ago I sold a completely remodeled house in a newer neighborhood and bought an older house with big lawn, trees, pool etc. To most people my current house was fine but my wife and I putt an a$$ load of money into to make it ours And we still are another 15 k from finishing it. Now, 2 years later we hate it. Our neighbors are older and either can't keeps their property up or don't want to. That part we can live with but when we purchased here we didn't realize that the 30 cars an hour that drive by ignore the 20mph neighborhood speed limit. (Most of them are diesels or trucks with loud pipes... did I mention our bedroom is next to the street?) The cops could care less.
No we are considering moving AGAIN this time to a new neighborhood with younger families that have children like us and with similar jobs... after the dust clears we will lose about 22 grand on this house. We have always been good savers are are well on our way to a decent retirement and we are only in our mid 30's with above average (for this area) income. If we move our mortgage will be extended an additional 10 years if we carry it to maturity.
What would you do in this situation?

stomachmonkey · 12-09-2007, 06:03 PM

MOVE!!!!!

House I'm in has similar issues to yours.

I knew it going in but the wife loved the place and I figured f'it, we only plan on staying 5 years max so I can deal.

That was twelve LONG years ago.

Upside is making a nice chunk of equity, better than the market treated me over the same period but the money does not get me back 7 years of frustration.

Dantilla · 12-09-2007, 06:06 PM

Your home should be a place of happiness. An oasis from the "junk" in this world.
You should be delighted every time you open your front door.

If this place doesn't offer that, move. You only have one life on this little planet. Might as well enjoy it.

Mortgage rates are back down again. What are the true benefits of staying?

84CAB · 12-09-2007, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dantilla

Your home should be a place of happiness. An oasis from the "junk" in this world.
You should be delighted every time you open your front door.

If this place doesn't offer that, move. You only have one life on this little planet. Might as well enjoy it.

Mortgage rates are back down again. What are the true benefits of staying?

Benefits? Not sure other than not having to move again, and a smaller mortgage. I really don't like debt either. My wife is afraid we will move again and wind up next to an ax murder or something.

Thanks for the replies, it's nice to get other peoples opinions.

84CAB · 12-09-2007, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

MOVE!!!!!

House I'm in has similar issues to yours.

I knew it going in but the wife loved the place and I figured f'it, we only plan on staying 5 years max so I can deal.

That was twelve LONG years ago.

Upside is making a nice chunk of equity, better than the market treated me over the same period but the money does not get me back 7 years of frustration.

Does she still like it?

stomachmonkey · 12-09-2007, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 84CAB

Does she still like it?

Yes and No.

It's a great house, just needs to be somewhere else.

jyl · jyl's Garage

Life is too short, if the neighborhood is a real problem then move to where you will be happy. $22K is a frustrating thing but being somewhere you are comfortable is more important. Less chance of your kids being run over is also something to consider.

Hugh R · 12-09-2007, 07:03 PM

I love my neighborhood. But I'm in an HOA with only 25 homes and a gated community. I have 18 acres, yes 18 acres in a suburb of Los Angeles. The biggest complaint is no one can be bothered to do anything for the HOA except me and my brother (my best friend) who lives three doors down from me. Being the last house on the street with a 350 foot driveway helps a lot. Believe it or not, my closest neighbor complains when my brother and I smoke a cigar out front on Sunday afternoon. 350 or more feet away, pleeze!

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dantilla

Your home should be a place of happiness. An oasis from the "junk" in this world.
You should be delighted every time you open your front door.

If this place doesn't offer that, move. You only have one life on this little planet. Might as well enjoy it.

Mortgage rates are back down again. What are the true benefits of staying?

some wisdom in that, but if the neighbors are old, they will be shuffling off this mortal coil soon enough with any luck, is it one neighbor or several causing problems? My father, an attorney, has had issues with a neighbor's tree dropping massive amounts of pine needles in his back yard, burned up pool motors, can't go out there barefoot, which makes it tough to swim. Has not sued him, because he has to live next to him. I said to hammer some copper nails into the tree and be done with it

Benefit of staying is not moving

84CAB · 12-10-2007, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobra

some wisdom in that, but if the neighbors are old, they will be shuffling off this mortal coil soon enough with any luck, is it one neighbor or several causing problems?

Several, they are not really that old either... 60-70 so they have a while. I had hoped as they moved on or out things would change , but the new people moving in don't really act like they care alot either. The houses and yards aren't shabby, they just don't maintain them. What is really strange is the houses are not inexpensive either.( For this part of the country, the West Cost guys would think we are talking tear down prices at best.)

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Could just be a bunch of white trash in houses instead of trailers, saw plenty of that in Texas. Big house, no landscaping on a big lot, junk would tend to collect in the yards, appliances and what not.

Rot 911 · 12-10-2007, 07:50 AM

It's not the age of your neighbors, it's their attitude. I love the street I live on, nice mixture of different houses. One thing in common is that everyone takes pride in their house. Our neighbor across the street is 81 and still does all his mowing, trimming etc!We had an ice storm yesterday which brought down a bunch of big limbs. Everyone that had a chain saw, had it out and worked on clearing everyone's driveways, not just their own. If I lived where you did and could move I would. Nothing worse than neighbors you don't like.

84CAB · 12-10-2007, 08:31 AM

I think you're right Kurt. It's the attitude, but I just don't understand not taking care of something or disrespecting neighbors.. My sister says I expect too much from people but that's not true. I don't expect any more from them than I do for myself....

berettafan · 12-10-2007, 09:37 AM

i'm not that wild about my house (ryan homes sucks!) but i love the neighborhood. lots of kids my sons age and the adults tend to be very down to earth and friendly. funny thing is the 'came heres' (vs. locals) from NJ and Pa are some of the most fun to be around!

we've lived in places for years and never met our neighbors and i'll tell you, we were missing out. i am not one to go out and party and, in general, don't enjoy social gatherings of non-hobby-obsessed people (my Porsche friends and duck hunting friends are a blast however) but in our neighborhood i never miss a function.

i say move and find a place to be happy!

stevepaa · 12-10-2007, 09:39 AM

Go find a court with families the same age. We had nearly thirty kids growing up together on our court of 17 houses. All are grown and gone now, well some are now coming back

Now it is very quiet, very few kids on Halloween.

The Gaijin · 12-10-2007, 09:48 AM

I grew up in a great neighborhood and although my folks are still there and are now the old timers - it has changed.

Back in the day - people didn't seem to retire and move to Florida.. They all drove huge cars and all got together on a regular basis for martinis and parties. Men were called by ther last name. When another young family moved in - they made them have the annual Christmas party, as it was always held at that house.. Someone on the piano, folks singing, someone dancing around with a lamps-shade on their head. Maybe I am remebering it as more fun than it was...