How Not Where? - Updated
By lilybeeI've been feeling a bit philosophical about houses, homes and the way that we live. In part prompted by a home that I sometimes walk past.
It's this place here. I think it's beautiful, with that mottled red-ish brick and great sash windows. The gorgeous fire escape garden, beautiful and clever paint colours and good accessories all make it look like it's inhabited by someone who loves and takes pride in their home.
The thing that blows my mind is the location of this little gem. This appears to be the sole entrance and it's down an alley next to a subway station. An alley that gets a fair amount of foot traffic during the day but that I absolutely wouldn't go down at night. Actually even sometimes during the day it's a bit dodgy. I hate to use crackhead-y as an adjective, but it fits. I suppose it's one of the hazards of living in a big city, everything is right there BUT everything is right there.
I guess what I'm wondering is this, is HOW you live more important than WHERE you live?
We live in the center of a big city but we know more of our neighbours that my sweetie's parents do, they have lived in the same tiny village in England forever. And we don't just know our neighbours to say hi to, we have dinner, dog sit and help lift heavy furniture with and for them. Our local (Mostly gay, Irish themed) pub has a picture of our baby above the bar (it's a long story). This summer, with the help of some curbly know-how I have grown a bunch of the vegetables we ate.
But in the last year 3 people were shot within a mile radius of us. People who where just walking home or running their stores. A good friend discovered the body of a women who had been beaten to death. We average 2 burglaries a month in our safe and quiet building. Just yesterday I had a slightly unpleasant experience with a crackhead outside of my bank. And it's never quiet here. Ever.
What's your experience of how vs. where?
Updated, 24/9/08 Last night there was a shoot out on our street. Yup a shoot out, like the wild west. No one was killed but I think that was more by luck than design. We were out strolling with the baby and the pooch and in the time that it took for us to go to meander around, go to the store, and come back there were 3 shots fired and a huge number of police turned up and cordoned off the area. I know that our chances of being involved in a shooting are pretty slim, but a stray bullet... all it takes is one. I think it's time for us to move.
Did you like this article?
lilybee's blog (143 posts)
Featured Writer
Subscribe to this blog
Member since: 02/22/07
About:
Decorating on a teeny budget is my thing. Recycling and Reusing and Repurposing are my...
BethanyBlah
You're right... it only takes the one stray bullet or the one that goes through a wall or the one that....
I hope you guys find a great new place that will be safer for you all.
Jekyph
I loooove those yellow windows!
I would have to say that its HOW more than where. Being from the south, I regularly see people who live on gorgeous lake front property... in a 1980's trailer. Which wouldn't be so bad if all of the 1980's furniture wasn't outside. On their front porch. With about 30 empty Mountain Dew bottles. You see my point.
Personally, I can make do with living in the city, in a run-down apartment with popcorn ceilings. But what I really want is a place way out in the woods, with no neighbors, and tons of trees. With the internet available almost anywhere, you don't need to live close to everything.
sillygirl
I lived in a trendy, popular part of town with all the cute shops and bars etc... tried to pass all the sirens off as ambulances going to the hospital down the street... eventually I was mugged on my doorstep and after talking to other people, that was probably the best thing that could have happened to me (they didn't shoot etc.). I found a happy medium now where it's not trendy, mostly residential, but close to all the stores you actually go to. Plus it's only like three blocks with two ways in and two ways out... It's in the city and I might not know my neighbors so much but its sooo much safer, the peace of mind is definately worth leaving the fun stuff behind. Besides, if I want to go out I can always stay at a friends place... better to visit than reside in my opinion. Of course as soon as I moved out someone elses friend moved into my old apartment, so to each his own, just be safe and careful!
ModHomeEcTeacher
There's nothing like city life but safety is important. Take good care of you and yours!
Add a Comment!
Log in to leave a comment or Create an account