There’s that old saying, “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” That statement asserts that no one appreciates what they have. If you own a house, you’re probably going to spend most of your time staring enviously at your neighbor’s abode, the estate that’s a little bigger, with the better lawn, the superior BBQ grill, the newer deck, and so forth.
Does everyone behave this way? Hopefully, some people have learned to appreciate what they have and not covet what they don’t. Still, it’s human nature to want better things, and your living situation is at the top of the list.
If you’re a homeowner, or even if you’re renting an apartment, there might come a time when you want to move to not just a nicer dwelling but also a better neighborhood. The question is, when does the tipping point arrive? When do you want out of a particular area so badly that you’re willing to do practically anything to make it happen?
Everyone’s answer will be different, but let’s take a look at a few of the factors that might convince you that you’re sick of living in a particular spot and you’re ready to find accommodations elsewhere.
There Are Too Many Speed Demons
Spring is at hand, and as summer approaches, you might notice more traffic in your neighborhood. People should prioritize driving safely during the summer and at all other times of the year, but maybe you’re seeing more reckless and thoughtless driving behavior in your neighborhood during the warmer months right now.
If you see cars constantly speeding through your neighborhood, you’re not going to like that much, especially if you have children who often play in your yard. You never know when one of them will run out into the street to retrieve a wayward ball or frisbee, and then you might have a tragedy on your hands.
You might also notice that the cars speeding through your neighborhood tend to blast their music. You’re not going to like that, either. It’s also possible that you might have some gearheads who love to rev their motors as they try to attract attention to themselves.
Your Neighbors Are Too Noisy
Speaking of noise complaints, loud neighbors are another reason why you might want to seek out a new neighborhood. You might have certain neighbors who like to play their music obnoxiously loud at all hours of the day or night.
It’s tough to know how to handle these situations. You can try the direct approach, going over there and asking them directly to turn it down. If it reaches the point where you have to do that every day, though, that’s going to get tiresome pretty quickly.
You can also call the cops on them if they don’t take the hint, but if you do that, then the neighbors will likely know that it was you who did it. You might kick off a feud that will make things uncomfortable, and your home should be your sanctuary. You don’t want to invite a situation where you and your neighbors are scowling and yelling at each other every moment.
There’s Not Enough Public Transportation
You might live in a neighborhood that you could call a “transportation desert.” The implication is that you’re out in the middle of nowhere, and there are no trains or buses to which you have access.
If you drive, this might not be as much of an issue. If you don’t have a driver’s license or you can’t afford a car, though, the public transportation lack might become a problem as time passes.
You might be okay with it for a while, but as the years go by, you’ll probably get pretty sick of having to walk half a mile or more to the bus or train stop every day to get to and from work. If it’s raining, and you know you have no choice but to make that walk again, that could be the final straw that forces you to start looking for a new neighborhood that’s more transportation-adjacent.
Drugs Are an Issue
You might notice a drug problem in your neighborhood. You might live in a state that has legal weed now, and there’s nothing wrong with that, in theory. It’s problematic, though, if you have neighbors who insist on smoking outside, and there’s a pungent marijuana odor permeating your whole street.
It’s also possible that those around you are using or dealing harder drugs. Any time that you have people close to you using meth, crack, heroin, and so forth, violence often comes along with those activities.
Since they are all illegal, the police will pay your neighborhood more attention, and that can get tedious, even if you’re not doing anything wrong. Also, if people close to you are using addictive drugs, they’re more likely to behave irresponsibly.
They might be willing to rob or steal to support their habit, so you’ll need better security measures. You won’t feel as safe in your home anymore, and you won’t want your children to be near that either.
It’s Too Expensive
It also could be that you find nothing wrong with your neighborhood, and you like living there. The rising rent might be what forces you out.
Different factors might cause an area to heat up. Certain retail establishments might move in, making it more desirable. Gentrification often drives the rent up and displaces ethnic contingents that might have lived in a particular area for decades.
If things get too expensive where you are, you’ll have to start hunting for cheaper rents. Of course, problems can arise because you might have to move to an area that features some or all of the issues that we mentioned earlier.
Finding a place to live that makes you happy is seldom easy. Only you can truly decide when you’ve had enough of the current accommodations, and it’s time to make a change.
