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My husband (Lee) and I are senior citizens, living in South Central. The most difficult adjustment for us is that for years we lived in nice neighborhoods.
Now, because of hard times, we have had to adjust to a completely different lifestyle. We are quiet people, considerate of our neighbors.
Lee is battling prostate cancer, but still exercises on the treadmill, goes to church and is a self-taught artist. Painting (in watercolor) has been his salvation.
For me, it's reading good books, going for walks (in other neighborhoods) and being online. I'm struggling with an auto-immune disease (Sarcoidosis).
So, it's a challenge sometimes, living this way. We have neighbors who throw loud parties in their backyards, well into the night; who set off firecrackers (not just on holidays) and who fight with each other. We've called the police several times. Sometimes they come, sometimes not. There have been shootings and there's a 'drug-recovery' house just a few doors down.
In other words, we're bombarded by nearly constant noise and disturbances. It's really tough. We can't go for walks most of the time, 'cause it's dangerous and the area is dirty. Our hope is that someday we'll be able to move. But it's not a realistic dream. We're on a fixed income.
Still, thinking about the possibility helps us get through the tough times. (I've attached a video of Lee singing while he paints.)
4/4/11, 6:27 p.m.
Sorry you're having a difficult time adjusting to the neighborhood. Hopefully you will find things not to far away to enjoy and the environment will improve as you spend more time there.
Thank you for contributing your story!
4/4/11, 10:29 p.m.
Hi there, Wendy... Thanks for responding. We have lived here a long time and things haven't improved much, unfortunately. One good thing,
however, is that we finally got a decent market ("Fresh & Easy") not far away. I just hope they
won't have to close the store. It's so wonderful
being able to buy decent, healthy food!
4/5/11, 10:37 a.m.
The new Fresh & Easy looks great! We have one where I live and it really adds to our quality of life food-wise.
Thanks for your reply!
4/11/11, 3 p.m.
Yep, I completely agree. Fresh & Easy has completely changed the way me & my family eat. And it's only a few minutes from where we live.
I love that store!
4/11/11, 3:05 p.m.
One thing I failed to mention in my story is how much it helps whenever I listen to my favorite radio station (89.3 - KPCC). I love "This American Life," "The Story" "The Play's the Thing" and "All Things Considered." It helps me escape from my little world.
10/21/11, 9:05 a.m.
Your experience is a valid experience but I cannot help being irritated. I read from this piece as a person brimming with covert, "polite" racism against Hispanic/Latino peoples. I read a person's restraint against using racial slurs.
This is a novel perspective to me. For my life, I have considered the greatest public disturbance and nuisance in a neighborhood a noise complainer. Every Sunday morning without fail, my neighbors play mariachi music to fill every crevice of our dead end street with life. It is a shame you cannot appreciate the celebrations and joys of others and go so far as attempt to deprive them and your neighborhood of "loud noise" as though the quality of your silence ought to be paramount over the happiness of dozens.
I understand your views on the safety and dangers of your neighborhood but you must also acknowledge empathy for your neighbors, especially the children of your neighbors, who for so long have borne the daily perils and fears and anxieties well into routine with the world at large immersed in relative apathy.
I am truly sorry this culture shock is overwhelming. I would suggest inching into the local flavor with an open mind and hopefully be pleasantly surprised.
3/17/12, 7:35 p.m.
Doris - I get your perspective, tho some of your word choices are a bit impolitic.
It is hard getting older, and it is hard to be older and find yourself a minority, all of a sudden. And, I assume in reduced circumstances. It all is a lot of change.
I to am a "minority" in my neighborhood. I took my sister with me for a walk around my block. She declined to walk in my neighborhood thereafter.
And North Hollywood is not like your neighborhood. A ton of redevelopment money has been poured into "NoHo" - it has been totally revamped. Nothing like it used to be at all. And nothing like where you are living.
And I get the noise thing - in my neighborhood, there is, in particular, a person who regularly holds amplified, DJ-ed, dances, parties, weddings, quincerneros - and, in the past, I admit, I have called the cops when it gets past midnight. Mostly because the events are so very loud, I have to turn my tv really loud, and I don't feel it is considerate of my immediate neighbors - to have to have my tv so loud.
I don't mind other's stereos, and the day-to-day stuff. The thing that really was a shock is the litter. Some people in my neighbohood just throw wrappers and stuff on the sidewalk.
Maybe you could join a community garden (if there is one) - you could get to know people from your neighborhood. Or some other kind of social community group. I have been on the waitlist for my community garden. Or, since you like to read, maybe a book club through the library.