Would you move fro a secure house to an iffy neiborhood to save $700 a month?
By Amy
@artemis432 (7474)
Abernathy, Texas
August 17, 2007 5:25pm CST
We live on base in a huge three bedroom house. We have access to multiple parks, tracks, gyms, library, gym and pool. It is a highly protected base. We pay well over a thousand for rent. Granted, were we in Northern CA or MD this would be a steal! However, although yusband makes pretty good money, we have some medical bills that insurance didn't cover not too much and lots of school loans. We want to be able visit family - which are far away - we have a new baby and they haven't seen him. We want to be able save money to buy a house. The city we live in - even the nice areas is considered pretty dangerous. Its high on the list for crime. We can save money and still keep my husband close to work by moving off base. We certainly wouldn't move downtown but in order to stay in an area with reasonable rent, we'd have to sacrifice the safety of base for what's commonly known as the war zone. So what do you think?
3 people like this
17 responses
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
17 Aug 07
Hi artemis432! I am not really sure what I would do to be honest with you. First of all, I would really want to be living in a secured place so I wouldn't be worrying a lot however, if I wanted to save for my own house one day but as you say, you have to live off-base but the area has the highest crime rate... oh,boy somehow, that's a dilemna. But you know what, I will not sacrifice my peace of mind, I will stay within the security of the base and will just find other ways so I can save for my own house in the future. Well this is just me speaking..Take care and have a nice day!
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
18 Aug 07
Thanks again for sharing your perspective! We are deciding. My husband says we can possibly wait and moving into a one floor, two bedroom house and pay like two or three hundred less. We'll see.
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@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
18 Aug 07
It just be nice to have money left over at the end of the month - and be able to do some saving and pay off bills!
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@LAWise520 (275)
• United States
18 Aug 07
Most crimes are done, not to families, but to other people on the street. The crimes are done to businesses and individuals more often than not. Do not take lots of strolls down the street, keep your doors locked while driving, etc...small things that will keep you safer. If you think that you can be safe as a family, make the move. If not, keep yourselves alive instead. I would make the move, but then I don't have a baby.
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@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
18 Aug 07
Not only are those good points but information that I didn't think about it, but doing so it makes sense. We'd of course like to stroll down the street with the baby but...We have to think if this sacrifice would be worth it down the road. We're thinking of some alternatives like moving outside the city and commuting. Thanks for the participation LAWsie520. Have an adventurous day.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
18 Aug 07
no i wouldn't actually... i wouldn't compromise my safety and my family's safety just for money... unless if i really can't afford it anymore... then i have no choice... it is better to live in a safe area and pay more rather than live in a cheap area but put your live in danger... safety is always number one for me...
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@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
18 Aug 07
Good answer. Thanks for participating in my discussion.
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
18 Aug 07
Thanks Suzieque. Those are good points. I'm wondering if it might be worth it to move out of the city - he says the commute would be longer but he doesn't work during high traffic times and he like some of the little towns surrounding us. I don't know still up in the air. Have a fortuitous day.
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
18 Aug 07
I think I'd stay on base. It sounds like the only issue is money, and while money's pretty important, it's good to feel safe, too.
I've done some online stuff that pays - reviewstream.com, and I've recently started again at helium.com. It's not much, but it has helped.
1 person likes this
@marymarj2002 (1769)
• Philippines
18 Aug 07
I think you should not transfer to another house that is unsafe. Why not look for a house that is safer but cheaper. It is very difficult to risk the safety of our family. We can still look for money but what about the lives?
1 person likes this
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
18 Aug 07
You bring up some good points. We are going to at least see if there is a two bedroom available as there wasn't when we got here. Then we will save about 300. Thanks again for replying.
@misselizabeth1 (117)
• United States
18 Aug 07
Sometimes money isn't everything. You have to weigh your pros and cons. Which environment would give you a better peace of mind. Also, would your car insurance and other things increase related to living in the war zone area? Are there any other things you could do without(cable,eating out,lavish spending,etc)that could help save money? Plus, since you have a small child you would want the safest environment for him.
http://www.simpleknowledge.blogspot.com
1 person likes this
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
18 Aug 07
If it were me and I had alittle baby I would want to feel safe and be safe. And that is the bottom line. And you should feel the same way. Isnt the safety of your child important to you? If your answer is yes then thats your answer right there.
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@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
18 Aug 07
thanks for your response. I appreciate the time you spent answering.
@jennifer611 (2514)
• United States
17 Aug 07
If it's called a "war zone"
and your already knowing that the place is unsafe,
I would stay where I am at.
or wait til you can make a move to where you feel
safe.
why risk it?
I'm sure some of those people would love to get out of there and be where your at.
especially having children.
I'd really choose the safe route.
1 person likes this
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
18 Aug 07
Its true. Some good families that have been there for years say that the title is wrong. I don't know all of ABQ is pretty unsafe. Unless we want to pay what we're paying here!
@horsesrule (1957)
• United States
17 Aug 07
My opinion is that it is not worth the price of your safety to move into a neighborhood that is a war zone. There is no price too high to keep you and your family safe, not even if it means that you don't get to save money. Can you maybe earn money online? I know there are sites that pay in gift cards but you know you can sell those on ebay and they go for close to the face value of the card. I don't know why but we've tried it. The people who would suffer the most in a bad neighborhood would be you and the baby. Your safety would be the most compromised. There is also the chance of your husband getting shot in a drive by shooting. I know I sound quite doomsday but it is something to consider. I would live on base in a heartbeat if I had the opportunity.
1 person likes this
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
18 Aug 07
Really all of Albuquerque is pretty unsafe. Even the nice areas have crime. I am actually taking a job at home soon, it will be telecommuting. I will be an independent contractor. I start out taking food orders and delivery orders but its a start. Most of those gift card things require you to go thru with an offer. Scams. But thanks!
@rosie_123 (6113)
•
18 Aug 07
Well I would say no amount of saved money is worth jeopardising your or your famly's safety - so I would stay where you are. I don't live in the States so I have no idea where you live or how dangerous it is, but there are some pretty rough places here in London, and I would NEVER live in them. I want to feel safe in my own home, and not be scared every time I come home a little late from work or whatever. And if you have children, then surely being somewhere where they are safe to play outside and lead a happy life is the most important. Sounds like you have a great place to live right now, so I would stay there!
1 person likes this
@scarywhitegirl (2766)
• United States
18 Aug 07
My fiance's dad was in the Navy when my fiance was growing up, and they always lived off base. However, they lived in places where living off base was not super unsafe. I would say that though saving the money would be wonderful, you should definitely think about the safety of your family, particularly your baby. If you could find a decent place off base where you would all feel secure, then I would go for it. But if you would be living in a "war zone," that hardly seems worth it. Quality of life is important to consider, and always being nervous and worried is an awful way to have to live.
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@spyjax (46)
• United States
18 Aug 07
I currently live in a relatively bad part of town, and have been for five years now.
Very low housing expense.
I can travel the world, dine out, and save lots for retirement.
If I had a family, however, things would be much different.
Which is why I avoid creating one.
:)
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
18 Aug 07
Personally for me, I would consider if I were you the safety of your family especially now that you have a child sometimes over the Costs involved. Because in this day and age especially in areas we live in, I know safety would be a Big factor for us.
What I would suggest if you really want to move, is continue to look around, if you believe in the Power of Prayer, Pray about it, and something right will eventually come up for you. Wishing you Luck. I know it is getting hard to make ends meet almost anywhere you are anymore.
@michecu (637)
• Philippines
18 Aug 07
My family lived in one of the slum areas here in Davao City, Philippines when I was a child. People do not actually think the place is safe but we were able to stay there for more than a decade. I think that in that neighborhood, if people know you, they will protect you. So it's kinda safe for the residents there. I also think that a place can be safe if you know how to be sociable and nice to your neighbors and the community. There's a saying that a crook wouldn't attack his/her neighbor...
So, if in a case where I really have to save money, I would not hesitate to live in the slums or in those places which people think are unsafe.
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