New to St. Louis (Ballwin, Manchester: crime, houses, neighborhoods)

[SCB123]

We moved here three years ago, bought a nice home in West County, and were excited to settle down. We have lived all over the world while serving our country.
I must say that I have never lived in more hate filled place in my life. Soon after moving into our home a neighbor started stalking me. When he didn't get what he wanted he ruined my reputation in my new neighborhood, and it seems, all of our neighbors are willing to believe his trash. This is hard for me to understand as I don't know any of these people.

I have been nothing but friendly to everyone, and tried very hard to keep the peace in this neighborhood, to the detriment of myself.

One neighbor robbed another neighbor, and the two women have nearly come to blows on the sidewalk in front of my home, both before and after the robbery occurred. My next door neighbor has stood in her front yard and screaming to me that I have no friends in the neighborhood. Her husband shook his fist in my face one morning while screaming at me to turn my music down in my car. Well, after this I'm not nice, and I never will be kind to these people ever again. I will not sacrifice my mental health to keep the peace any longer. The police have been involved, and were told that everyone in this neighborhood is afraid of me, because I served in the military. Good I hope they are pee their pants out of fear every time they see me.

I don't have any friends in my neighborhood, and I do not want these people as my friends.

I started grad school at one of the local universities, but after all of this, and trust me the bad neighborhood experiences continue, I feel I have nothing to offer in this community, and no one has anything to offer me. How I wish I could see things differently.

Everyone says move, but we have moved so much that we feel if these people don't want to live near us let them move. Another part of me wants to move; let these people have each other.
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]

[loki03xlh]

Sorry to hear about your experience. What town in west county did you move into? I know that people in this town (stl in general) can be pretty rough on outsiders at times, but nothing like what you are experiencing.

[AJohnston_STL]

This is pretty far-fetched, and it certainly doesn't sound like you are living in west county. Where are you living?

[AJohnston_STL]

Let me reneg my last comment...it kind of does sound like the type of people that would live in west county; holier than thou, I have more money than you, etc.

[Brickmama]

If this is indeed true, you might want ot try moving ot the city where people are more respectful and personal.

[SCB123]

We live in the Ballwin-Manchester area. Just yearerday my neighbor ran outside as I returned home. She started talking to her dogs about me, calling me the "b" word ect... I think this woman has mental health issues. All I know is that happy people don't act this way. Part of me feels kind of bad for these people. I just can't let them rub off on me. When the market gets better we are going to sell, and find a better place to live. I just don't want to move again, we moved so much in the military.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

Although crime might be higher (depending on the neighborhood), the city might be easier on you. The city homes might be cheaper, and the people might not be as crazy. You will have a little more crime probably, but saner people, and maybe more diversity.

I've never lived in Ballwin or the city, but I can't think of any place you'll find crazier people than what you describe.

[DeBaliviere]

Sounds like you're just in a weird neighborhood. Don't use your experiences there to judge St. Louis or St. Louisans as a whole.

And I'd echo the recommendations to check out the city or inner-ring suburbs. You need to get out of that crazy neighborhood!

Edit: Thanks for serving our country, BTW.

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by SCB123

She started talking to her dogs about me, calling me the "b" word ect... I think this woman has mental health issues.

Sounds like one bad apple is ruining it for everyone. Try not to let it bother you!

edit: You might also look into selling your place right now. Much of West County appears to be largely insulated from the calamitous market -- homes in places like Des Peres in particular are still selling like hot cakes.

[wustu87]

Over the years I have lived in five different neighborhoods in St. Louis city and county and I will have to say in each place that the vast majority of the neighbors and very nice and pleasant, but there is always one crazy neighbor on just about every block or two. I do not think moving to or from any specific neighborhood will protect you from having a local sourpuss, since every neighborhood typically has someone they complain about. All you can hope is that the lunatic is not your next door neighbor, but hopefully 2 or 3 houses down!