City v Burbs?

Lucille · #1 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 12:15 AM

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I am considering moving into the city. There is an area near where I work that is not a good area in terms of crime statistics, but is improving and is being gentrified. I am daydreaming about finding a tiny older home and fixing it up, and having more time. What with the increasing traffic because the Houston area is getting more crowded, I spend up to 2 hours a day in my car; and my kids are grown and gone so those kinds of burb advantages for raising kids no longer apply.

I live in a little burb that is as safe as is possible in these modern times. There is a small amount of crime, but most of it is near the freeway or near the few apartment buildings in the area. The recent big brush with crime is some guy a few years ago that had imbibed a little too much and had actually found himseld on my street and climbed into the back of my neighbor's truck and fell asleep. That was it.

For those of you who are in law enforcement, or who live in higher crime areas, I have a question: For those who use common sense, with burglar bars, and who actually remember to lock their doors and windows, is there still significant risk, or do most bad guys just go for the easy pickings?

I would love to gain 2 hours a day, but not at the expense of being worried about being robbed or burgled, two statistically significant crimes in the area where I propose to move.

I welcome y'all's opinions please.

ChelsyC · #2 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 12:26 AM

I've lived in some iffy neighborhoods in L.A. and Chicago. I got mugged twice in Chicago, but both times it was because I was talking on my cellphone, and it was just some teenager who wanted my cellphone. My apartment in L.A. was broken into because my roommate forgot to lock the door.

IMO, if you use some common sense, you'll be perfectly fine.

Most crime is aimed at people who don't pay attention (i.e. talking on the cell walking down the street at night), or do something stupid (i.e forget to lock the door).

_Venom_ · #3 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 02:10 AM

It's a little ghetto-ish here. Most people are robbed when they're alone, in a quiet area, and with expensive things. The way you look does matter so...

Just stick to streets with more people, don't flash expensive things around, try to walk in places that are lit up, etc.....

For burglaries, it's about the easiest to get into, but most of the time a locked door is enough since there's thousands of other people around.

If you have a young male son or something, you should watch out with the gangs though, cus' I've had some trouble dealing with them.

Tom · #4 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 03:04 AM

I live in the suburbs / country on 2 acres of land but work in the city and have lots of friends that live in the city. Me and most of them like the suburbs better. The few that love the city live in the heart of down town Chicago and they can even walk to work. But when they come out and visit me they do say they miss having a yard, the fresh air and no crime. I know how you feel about driving it does get to me sometimes. Depending where I have to work that day I will drive any ware from 1- 1/2 to 3 hours one way for work but I would rather do that than live in the city. I can leave my garage and house open and nothing would be gone when I get home.

Take care
Tom

_Venom_ · #5 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 03:31 AM

The times I spend in Mexico is pretty much a small town and countryside.

It's boring... It's fun for a while if you're a kid, but now it's yawn.

BlackLava · #6 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 04:31 AM

i live in the city right now, i dont like it

the thing that gets to me the most is that people are really close to us...people will complain about any little thing, doesnt matter if you live in a house or apartment. i have had my car broken into twice, even though all the doors were locked. they busted out my back window and they literally tore my dash apart getting to the cd player. knock on wood, no one has ever broken into our place, but i wouldnt be surprised if they did one day

i know some of the neighbors we used to have told us that their places had been broken into, even with locked doors and the alarm on. there was even someone murdered in our current bedroom before we moved in, someone broke in and strangled the guy

anywho.....the only good thing about the city is how you can live close to work and the grocery store, and if we wanna go to a concert or something its fairly close. other than that, i hate the city, too cramped, untrustworthy and no fresh air or room to stretch

_Venom_ · #7 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLava

i live in the city right now, i dont like it

the thing that gets to me the most is that people are really close to us...people will complain about any little thing, doesnt matter if you live in a house or apartment. i have had my car broken into twice, even though all the doors were locked. they busted out my back window and they literally tore my dash apart getting to the cd player. knock on wood, no one has ever broken into our place, but i wouldnt be surprised if they did one day

i know some of the neighbors we used to have told us that their places had been broken into, even with locked doors and the alarm on. there was even someone murdered in our current bedroom before we moved in, someone broke in and strangled the guy

anywho.....the only good thing about the city is how you can live close to work and the grocery store, and if we wanna go to a concert or something its fairly close. other than that, i hate the city, too cramped, untrustworthy and no fresh air or room to stretch

That's life.

zsanorah · #8 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 06:12 AM

I absolutely love living in the country, even where i live which is fairly small is almost too big sometimes. There are days when i just want miles of space between me and the next human being around. Just the trees and the animals. If i could have that again i wouldn't give it up for the world. But I have to live like 3 miles from the center of town, its not horrible but its not my freedom either. Have a 40 minute drive just to get somewhere to be alone it seems like.

Oroborous · #9 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 06:48 AM

Nothing could ever bring me to move into a city...But that's just me. I can't stand large crowds of people, and I get uneasy if I can't retreat into the woods somewhere close by and find some silence on a regular basis...I think anyone that can live and function in a big city is a special breed, or just plain crazy.

Lucille · #10 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 09:41 AM

I appreciate all who posted. I have to admit, I really do like the fact that there is no crime where I live. And I have a beautiful garden that is the product of years of work.
But on weekends, if there is some kind of event in the city, I usually end up talking myself out of it because of the drive. I like working in my garden, and that is a good thing because there is very little to do here in the burbs unless
I drive to the mall.
There are compelling arguments on either side.
I talked to one young attorney recently that lives in a very expensive city townhome, a three story stunner. But he says that at night, he won't even walk up to the corner store alone without his buddies. Here where I live, I don't walk around unless I go to the park to walk the dogs, but if I did, I know there wouldn't be a problem.

vfoerster · #11 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 03:34 PM

Lucille where about in Houston are you talking about because there are some areas that I know pretty well you deffinently would not want to stay in. If you want PM me a message and I will see what some of the people I work with think of that area. I have only lived on the NW side of Houston but go downtown and such quite often. Let me know what you think.

Boaman79 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 04:23 PM

I too despise the city life...I lived there when we first got married and due to growing up in the country was miserable. When we were finally able I moved back out where I grew up. Actually bought my grandmothers house next door to my parents. We are on 3 acres and love it. I especially love it for my girls. I wanted them to experience the room and fun of the country life. Its nice throwing them on the golf cart and cruising to the lake to fish after work. If someone comes down my driveway they either know me or want to get shot.

I can understand with your commute though and kids being grown...especially if its just you. Excersice your right to carry and you will be fine.

As for me...Ill die in the country.

Lucille · #13 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vfoerster

Lucille where about in Houston are you talking about because there are some areas that I know pretty well you deffinently would not want to stay in. If you want PM me a message and I will see what some of the people I work with think of that area. I have only lived on the NW side of Houston but go downtown and such quite often. Let me know what you think.

I work in zip 77004 and that is where I have been looking.

BlackLava · #14 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 09:38 PM

you know what i really miss about living out in the country? hoppin on the 4-wheeler all day, up and down the hills, doin donuts, and getting really dirty while your at it

not to mention i used to go shooting rifles and handguns out there

and i loved going for a walk out in the middle of nowhere, where i knew no one would walk up and bother me

me and the friends would just go hang out outside somewhere and knock back a few drinks without worrying about other people or being mugged or kidnapped.....i would give just about anything to do that kinda stuff again

vfoerster · #15 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucille

I work in zip 77004 and that is where I have been looking.

Okay so right next to U of H isn't the best area but at the same time it depends on what side of the university. Mostly though its well I don't know how to put it nicely. My car was stolen in the U of H parking lot while I was attending a football game. Locked up and alarm and no radio was in the vehicle already was empty on gas and everything. I don't know your choice but I wouldn't. It might have changed a lot from last year but last things I heard was that the area was getting worse then before.

Lucille · #16 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vfoerster

I don't know your choice but I wouldn't.

I very much value what you say. And maybe you are right.
I suddenly decided to spiff up my house, bought about 7 gallons of paint, tore off wallpaper, and am considering learning how to apply a skim coat so I can smooth out the living room walls for the new paint.

The place is a sight now with wallpaper all over the floor, and it is going to take weeks at least to get all this done, so I am considering what everyone has said while I do all this stuff.

I'm still ahead if I decide to stay, since I'm getting ride of clutter, and repainting.

I really am thinking about the crime angle. While I of course have guns here (although there seems to be a shortage of ammo, but that should be for another thread) and would not hesitate to use them, I really prefer fussing with the roses and painting the walls to gunning down bad guys.

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