Does anybody live in a low income area *by choice*? (foreclosure, rent)

[jojojohnson76]

^ It's refreshing to hear that, when the big push by most is to get the hell out of cities and in to the sterile suburbs.

[censusdata]

I live in an area now that has a diverse mix of people, from yuppies to theater performers to bums and drug dealers. I live here in part because it is w/i biking distance of where I go to college.

Even after I graduate and have a good job I plan on living in a low income neighborhood. Why? A lot of it has to do with my interpretation of the Bible (as I am a Christian) that believers should not live in luxury while others are in poverty. Despite dozens of examples of wealthy Christians selling their possessions (including real estate) and giving to the poor, most "Christians" today believe that God wants them to live in 4 story houses in gated neighborhoods, while despising the poor.

There are other reasons as well. Here in Louisville, many low income areas have been nearly depopulated and now have few crime or traffic problems. Plus you can get a lot more house for your money than in the burbs. I could buy a huge house with a store front downstairs for $150,000! A tenth acre lot in the suburbs cost nearly that much itself.

[mead]

I live in the North Bronx. I could definitely afford to live in a better area at this point, but I have roots in my neighborhood and too many connections. Plus I genuinely enjoy living in my neighborhood. There's lots of bars in my neighborhood, and a bunch of the stores are open pretty late, so I usually go walking around when I get bored.

Eventually I'll probably end up leaving, but not for a while. I'd like to eventually live in a nicer neighborhood of Manhattan, however I doubt I'll be able to afford that anytime in the near future.

[zonababe]

Most people looking to move don't use the term "low income" but many are looking for inexpensive housing and a lower cost of living.

[southernnaturelover]

All "low income" areas are not the same. A poor rural area where people leave their doors unlocked would be okay, but I wouldn't live in a "ghetto" where everyone has bars over their windows.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

All "low income" areas are not the same. A poor rural area where people leave their doors unlocked would be okay, but I wouldn't live in a "ghetto" where everyone has bars over their windows.

couldn't say about "ghetto" because I have never lived in that situation. I do live in a rural area that frankly, I couldn't tell you where the house keys even MIGHT be.

[schmidt486]

Most people probably wouldn't mind living in areas like these, but I think the thought of high crime deters most. It is generally accepted that poverty and crime go hand in hand.

[StuckPA]

We're currently 'stuck' in lower northeast Philadelphia if anyone is familiar with it. It's not the worst neighborhood but maybe a step or 2 up;
It's mostly entrenched locals who have lived here for generations and anyone coming in from the 'outside' will definitely feel it!
Anyway we have to kinda stick around here because it's my wife's 'turf' where her job and family are,we could probably afford better somewhere else but that's where everything stands currently.

[DannyBanany]

We always tried to get my grandmother to move out of the sketchy part of town and she refused. She lived in the same house for 20 years and nothing ever happened to her.

[StuckPA]

Originally Posted by DannyBanany

We always tried to get my grandmother to move out of the sketchy part of town and she refused. She lived in the same house for 20 years and nothing ever happened to her.

What's the definition of 'sketchy' though? It can vary from area to area.
We have old people that lived around here their whole lives also and 'nothing ever happened to them',but then again they stay in the house most of the time also.