I'm sad we live here

babyaustin725

We moved to Federal Way 2.5 years ago from Lynnwood.  I was getting ready to quit to be a SAHM and James works down this way.  We found these newly renovated condos that were nice and in our price range.  We knew nothing about the area.  Turns out it's not so great.  There are many low income apartment complexes on the street, a drug reputation, etc. 

We have only had one issues in our complex in that time.  It was the neighbor girl having a party when her parents were gone and there were kids fighting over, what I think was $40.  They were yelling threats, throwing each other into the walls, our outside door, etc.  I was terrified.  James had the shotgun out and the police came and we heard them (the police) tell one of the kids he had a warrant out and took him in.  Another car in our row of parking spots was broken into a few weeks ago.  Overall, I don't think that's too bad for a complex in more than two years.

But, tonight, I am home without James (he's working tonight) and I hear men yelling.  I THINK they are just a little tipsy and chatting loudly, but occasionally it sounds aggressive and I hear the F word in there (which I know many people just use in regular conversation, but to me is an aggressive word).  It makes me nervous and paranoid.  I wonder if I should close all the windows and blinds even though it's super hot.

I just wish we could live somewhere where I felt safe.  I don't need a big house or fancy counters or appliances, but I do want to feel safe...like if I take Sadie to go potty at night my heart isn't pounding and I'm flinching at every tiny noise (she's very protective, though, which is nice).

Someday we will, and we will know better than to buy in an area we don't know.  I pray the market picks up enough that we can just get out.  I'm not anticipating being able ot make money on the place, at this point, I just want to get out, but it's going to be a while.  I know.

The saving grace about it all is Tillman's school.  The schools around here are POOP.  We figured we would be out before he went to school, but, like the rest of the world, we didn't expect the economic downturn.  I am so glad that he has the private school to go to. 

It's really just a vent.  I don't have any questions or really anything that anyone can reply to, but this sucks.

 

 

Seattle_JiLLn

could you rent your place out to cover your mortgage and move somewhere safer?

babyaustin725

We might be able to, but we wouldn't make enough to cover our mortgage and stuff.  From the research I have done, it seems like units like ours rent for about $200 less/month than our mortgage.  That plus our dues and however much we would pay a management agency, and we would be in the negative a lot which long term would make it take way longer to just wipe ours hands of it.  Right now we are aggressively trying to pay down our mortgage so we can sell, but if we were to lose several hundred dollars/month, we wouldn't be able to do that.  I really just need to be patient.

The men yelling has stopped by the way.  *Wipes brow*

mishquiche

I hope you guys will be able to move soon.

mishquiche

I hope you guys will be able to move soon.

chibipoe

I totally know how you are feel. The first two years after DH graduated from college he moved into an apartment in Crown Hill (Seattle neighborhood) and soon into it I moved in with him. The building seemed so nice when we looked at it and the rent was good but the place was terrible. There were always cops showing up at the duplexes next door and then one evening when DH was out of town on business there was a man murdered in the building, turns out to be a drug deal gone bad. Fortunately I wasn't staying there that night but I woke up the next morning and saw it on the news and freaked out. Anyway, all that was to say that I feel your pain and if you can find a way to move to a safer place I highly suggest it but I know how it goes when you can only afford so much. Good luck!

Savara07

Do you want me to come over and keep you company, I live in federal way too

KNemo

I also know how you feel. We are stuck in a lousy neighborhood also. It wasn't so lousy when we moved here. But, in the past couple of months, there has been an increase in crimes that range from random break ins, to drive-by murders. I have actually become used to the sound of sirens, because I am always hearing them. It isn't until a visitor points them out that I remember how often the cops are blaring through our neighborhood.

Our situation will change too, in time. My husband went back to school and we are just waiting for the state to issue him a license. As soon as that happens, and as soon as we know where he will be working, we will move. In the meantime, we are "stuck." It sucks to not feel safe in your own home. Especially if your hubby works nights. (mine does too)

Hope your evening goes better and I hope you guys can get out soon!

babyaustin725

Thank you ladies.  Not that I want anyone else to have to deal with it, but it's nice to know I'm not the only one with a child in a not so great area.  It really doesn't bother me much for myself, but I would never forgive myself if something happened to Tillman here. 

koosh ball

The loss on renting it and the property management fees are all tax deductible so consider that when you think if it's worth it.

 /not an accountant so verify with yours.

braveangel2

I'm so sorry you have to live there

When my guy and I met, we loved his apartment. Then the management changed and they weren't as picky about who they leased to, and suddenly there were break-ins, police visits every week, raids, rumors of a meth lab, and a next door neighbor who lived her messy life in our stairwell. We had to have guests stay away from our place one night as the neighbor girl and her on-again, off-again boyfriend fought in front of our door.

I don't have any advice, but I know how stressful that kind of home can be. It creeps into everything you do and you find yourself not looking forward to going home. I'm sorry your neighbors suck, and I'm sorry you have to be worried about even taking your family out. L I hope you find a better place or even better neighbors soon. Maybe a complaint to the association? I say a nice hot bath is in order.