How to discourage your DC from moving to dangerous yuppie neighborhood?

[Anonymous]

Let's image crime is a big concern. And not prejudice. Op, did they ask you what you think? Tell them. Lightly. Once. If they haven't asked, and you can't help yourself but say something, know you are doing it or yourself, because parents are still concerned regardless of an adults age. But know that your comments aren't likely to matter. More than once or trying to change their minds is rude so don't do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If my parents had stopped us, we would haven't bought a row house three blocks from Eastern Market in 1996 for $140K.

Can't complain about housing costs and then refuse to move someplace that isn't 100% perfect.

Wow, that worked out awesomely for you.

Buying in up-and-coming neighborhoods works out awesomely for everyone over time. You just have to be able to stomach imperfection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s a dangerous yuppie neighborhood?

A gentrifying neighborhood with too many black and brown people.

- signed, a black person.

100%

[Anonymous]

This reminds me of my dad’s horror when he heard I was moving to Clarendon in the early 2000s, and then (shudder!) Dupont a few years later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This reminds me of my dad’s horror when he heard I was moving to Clarendon in the early 2000s, and then (shudder!) Dupont a few years later.

I beat you to Clarendon by 20 years. The metro only went to Ballston, I think. Anything beyond that was no man's land.

I recently sold and retired 10 years early.

[Anonymous]

Try to send them competing listings, especially if it is a female.

[Anonymous]

He is an adult, and unless you have a financial stake in the decision, you really don't have a say?

Take it from someone who lived in a really, really rough neighborhood in North Philly for 6 years in my younger years, I feel like a lot of people have unrealistic ideas of the danger faced by their loved ones in such areas. The vast majority of the serious, violent crime in these neighborhoods are targetted at people already involved in drugs/violence/gangs/etc. The vast majority of people are just trying to live their lives in a bad situation.

Yes, there is a higher risk of property crime (car break ins, B+E, etc), but ultimately how comfortable he feels about that is his decision. It is not wrong to bring that up - especially if he has other options - but if he is smart, don't get flashy, and try and get along your son probably are going to be okay.

To be honest, while me living in that area was a financial decision, I dont know if I would go back and change that decision, even if it was possible. I still talk to a lot of my friends from the neighborhood I lived in, and it taught me a lot of humility as someone who grew up fairly well off. It also taught me empathy for those who are struggling. I did have my car broken into once, and my home was also broken into once, but I was never seriously hurt, even as someone who stood out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s a dangerous yuppie neighborhood?

Gangs of women in suits & sneakers chasing you down with baked Brie.

And it turns out they just wanted to find out your pesto recipe.

[Anonymous]

How are young adults supposed to get their start if they don't live in higher crime areas? My first purchased apartment in DC was in a "supposedly" gentrifying neighborhood (still waiting on that) and I still own it 20 years later. DH and I bought our first house in another "supposedly" gentrifying neighborhood (also still waiting) and sold that one and made an absolute killing.

That's how it is.