Neighborhoods, Curse or Blessing?

Recent posts on Sweet Digs Seattle:

• Open House: The Playhouse in the Backyard is Bigger Than Some Homes
• Open House: Color Coordinated on Cap Hill
• Open House: $800k Home With Open Floor Plan on One Acre Lot
• Open Windows Near Microsoft: Sunday, November 4th 

Wednesday night was a beautiful night as far as Halloween’s go, and the trick-or-treat walk got me thinking about neighborhoods. As kids darted between houses, and fathers drove hoards of pre-teens in lawn-mower-driven trailers door to door, I found myself thinking about the whole neighborhood concept and wondering whether neighborhoods in general, were good or bad.

So this morning, after getting my sugar-hung over children off to school, I decided to list the upsides and downsides of living in a neighborhood, in an attempt to enlighten those of you out there, who might be considering a move.

What’s the bottom line? Is living in a neighborhood good or bad? Well, I’ve determined that it’s a fine, fine line between curse and blessing.  See for yourself.

BENEFITS TO LIVING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD:

1. It’s easy and convenient for trick-or-treating.
2. There are plenty of kids around.
3. People get in the holiday spirit and put up Christmas lights and other holiday decorations.
4. There can be C,C&R’s (conditions, covenants and restrictions) to ensure neighborhood conformity, uphold certain standards of taste, etc.
5. In a time of disaster, neighbors are close by.
6. In general, neighbors are close by (for borrowing cups of sugar, tools, home-repairing advice, child-rearing advice, etc.)
7. It’s easy and convenient to find out the latest neighborhood gossip.
8. There are organized, social neighborhood activities.
9. There are always people keeping a watchful eye over your home. 
10. Advice and opinions on your latest home decorating/remodeling projects are freely available.

DETRIMENTS TO LIVING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD:

1. It’s easy and convenient for trick-or-treating.
2. There are plenty of kids around.
3. People get in the holiday spirit and put up Christmas lights and other holiday decorations.
4. There can be C,C&R’s (conditions, covenants and restrictions) to ensure neighborhood conformity, uphold certain standards of taste, etc.
5. In a time of disaster, neighbors are close by.
6. In general, neighbors are close by (for borrowing cups of sugar, tools, home-repairing advice, child-rearing advice, etc.)
7. It’s easy and convenient to find out the latest neighborhood gossip.
8. There are organized, social neighborhood activities.
9. There are always people keeping a watchful eye over your home. 
10. Advice and opinions on your latest home decorating/remodeling projects are freely available.