Chepooka

Chepooka in the Hood - Chapter 1

Classy!

Six months ago I moved to a neighborhood that has a reputation for being pretty ghetto. It’s not the worst in town, but it’s right up there. It’s the kind of place that requires an explanation to my friends and family: “I moved here because _______.”

I moved here because I lived in a swanky neighborhood downtown for the better part of a decade and I loved it. I loved being able to walk everywhere—restaurants, shopping, events, home from a night of cocktails. Even though I live in Alaska because I’m hopelessly in love with the idea that in 30 minutes I can “be one” with breathtaking nature, I’m also a ~~little bit~~ lot city. I feel isolated living so far away from the rest of the country, I miss outdoor music festivals. So when I look outside and see buildings and people milling about, I get the balance I need. I’m not a suburban girl, never have been, never will be. If I had no choice but to move to the ‘burbs, I would have rather moved out of state (which I seriously considered for most of last year).

I spent YEARS waiting for the housing market to cool so I could afford to buy a place downtown. It never happened, and I was SO TIRED of giving my money to my jackass landlord who inherited the 1/2 million dollar duplex after his awesome father died of cancer. After looking at scummy old properties for a few months this place came available. A developer bought a 6-plex and flipped all of the units to condominiums. He typically devotes his time to building luxury condominiums (1 million plus condos downtown are all the rage right now), but he believed in this little neighborhood and took a chance here. He stripped everything down to the studs and installed high (not top) quality materials - textured walls, granite counters, travertine tiles. If this condo were a few blocks west, it would fetch at least double what I paid. The changes and trends in this neighborhood even since I moved here is both encouraging and exciting. Every month I see some improvement here or there, or see some crack house go up for sale. The potential here is the best in town; so being, I’m crossing my fingers that my investment was wise.

My building-neighbors are all very similar in demographics - young (20s-40s), dual income no kids, professional. We’ve all become fast friends and have the same philosophy: we’d like to see our ‘hood become a part of “the new downtown”. Our building is a little Melrose Place without the drama; or more accurately, it’s more like it was in college—all your friends are close by, you have much in common with all of them because you’re in the same place in life, and it’s not unusual for somebody to knock at your door out of the blue (and you’re not even the slightest bit irritated that your space has been invaded):

Neighbor: “What you doin’?”
Me: “Just watching a movie, that’s why I’m crying hahaha.”
Neighbor: “Oh I love that movie, can I watch?”
Me: “Sure, get your butt in here.”
Us: *curled up on the couch watching Freedom Writers*

However, meanwhile, while we’re waiting for “the new downtown” to happen ... outside our doors? Everyday is a new adventure.

To be continued ...

Posted by chepooka on 06/11 at 10:40 AM

Comments

ok, so the comment I just made didn’t show up here.
I live in the hood too, and it’s great.

Posted by neballer on 06/11 at 01:55 PM

I got it, it’s over on the vegetarian post for some reason. Yay ghetto livin’.

Posted by chepooka on 06/11 at 02:45 PM

I’ve lived in the hood for the past 25 years. It was basically what my husband and I could afford while raising our family. But the kids grew up, moved out and we are still here. My husband has been dreaming of moving to a small town on the fringe of Omaha, but...secretly I am happy right where I am.

Besides, the house is paid for - why oh why move now??????

Posted by viki on 06/12 at 12:58 PM