The economy has perked up around here and with it, the real estate market. House sales are beginning to happen faster. That is, houses are on the market for weeks now, instead of for months & months.
Neighbors who are selling their homes are sprucing up what they have, meaning that our street has looked exceptionally nice this spring. And with the subsequent home sales, we have new younger, active neighbors.
This is a good thing, huh?
~ • ~
I’m seeing lots of these now.
~ • ~
I realized the foregoing as I was driving, very slowly, the long way home through our subdivision. It dawned on me that as well as being outside on the move, many of our new neighbors are driving new cars. Perhaps I’m overly aware of this sort of thing because I drive a 12 y.o. car, but I was kind of amazed.
~ • ~
I’m not seeing any of these.
~ • ~
The cars that I noticed weren’t fancy and/or sporty. They were Fords or Toyotas or Hyundais, usually trucks or mini-vans or SUVs, middle of the line, practical. But they were bright + shiny + new.
So that’s what’s up around here. Not too exciting from a blog story-telling point of view, but encouraging from a midwest homeowners point of view. Of which I am one.
You gotta take the happy where you find it, eh?
THE SPECTACLED BEAN 
That’s wonderful news about your neighborhood! It sounds like common sense people living there.
I love the bicycle sculptures: such bright colors and very appealing:) I would go sit on one!
LikeLike
Beth, I hope that we end up with a new bunch of neighbors who are as practical as their vehicles– and who maintain their properties to my exacting standards!. 😉
Come visit here and I’ll take a photo of you sitting on one of those bikes. They are fun. You’d look good.
LikeLike
If the hubby ever gets to go back to Cinci for work, I’ll come with him, and we can take that picture!
LikeLike
Okie dokie!
LikeLike
Spring is always nice as the neighborhoods cleans up and plants (although with all the rain, new plants are sogging and giving up frequently right now). And there’s the homes for sale that always get a little bit extra in hopes of attracting attention. When we moved in here, it was rare a house came on the market, but kids have grown up, people have retired and moved, or changed jobs with NASA not a prominent, so there’s been some turn around with neighbors.
AS you say, the plus side is once again there’s little kids who want to chat about anything and ride bikes. Nice to have action running around again.
Love that sculpture!
LikeLike
philmouse, about the chatty little kids…
A woman on her horse was sauntering through here. [This is normal.] I happened to be out front when she rode by, and saw a little girl about age 5, new to the neighborhood, with her mother in tow, running after the woman on the horse.
The little girl stopped long enough to explain to me that: “IT’S A HORSE!!!” Her joy was contagious. I’m so acclimated to things here that I forgot how wonderful a horse can be. It’ll be good for me to be reminded of such things again.
LikeLike
We got new very young neighbors 2 years ago. They are busy professionals with a child. Unfortunately this is their first home and no one taught them neighbor courtesy. They bought the house for a lot of money but have failed to take care of the outside. There are weeds all over the place. Looks trashy. On our other side we got new neighbors about 6 years ago and they have done a lot to make their home beautiful. You never know what you are going to get even if you live in a really nice development. Fortunately I live in front of the water retention pond and have no back neighbors.
LikeLike
kate, you make a good point. I can hope that these new neighbors keep things spiffy, but I can’t make them do it. Fortunately the neighbors on either side of us are here for the long haul, so the changes are in front of me. Easy to shut the blinds and go stare at the forest behind the house!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Certainly doesn’t hurt for when you want to sell your own home. 🙂
LikeLike
Carrie, it certainly does help us… when that moment arrives… a long time from now… I hope.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad things are picking up where you are, Ally. 🙂
LikeLike
Me too, Andra. It’s been years since I’ve seen houses sell this quickly. It’s reassuring and kind of fun to watch from afar.
LikeLike
I’ve come a callin and love the pictures you posted. I grew up in a hood like yours. My current address is much more of a busy thoroughfare when you walk out the door, but I remember the peace of a nice, clean street with pretty houses set upon tended lawns. The trees ruled and the air smelled good. Thanks for taking me back there 🙂
LikeLike
Susannah, thanks for stopping by. It’s peaceful here, if you don’t consider kid and dog noise to be distracting! And I like how there are trees everywhere I turn. Can’t wait to see how these new neighbors modify their properties. The vibe around here has already changed for the better, I believe.
LikeLike
I’m happy for the good changes! Are those new cars giving you any ideas? 😉 Some of my neighbors need to do some sprucing, like painting their houses or finishing what they started 2 years ago. Drives me nuts.
LikeLike
Margaret, I try not to think about cars. Ever. As long as the one I have is working, I’m content with it. And I hate those half-finished projects, too. What were those ppl thinking when they started something they are unwilling or incapable of finishing on a timely basis?!! Get with it, people.
LikeLike
Perhaps the bird lady will sell and move somewhere without birds. Whatever happened to her streamers?
Horses are wonderful. I lived with a small pasture for recovering horses behind me. Every night when I came home from work they lined up at the fence, waiting for their bits of apples or carrots. Some were quite shy at first, others shoved their heads inside my jacket hoping for extra. They thought my dog was quite a curious creature. Oh, I had permission from the owner btw. I think they liked that the horses were getting social time.
Horses are much more fun than golf carts, which is what we see around here.
LikeLike
Zazzy, I was thinking the same thing! Be a great time for her to get away from here and her arch enemies. 😉
We only see the horses, with riders, passing through on this street. Lots of times if a bunch of kids start following the riders, they’ll stop to let the kids touch the horses. It’s a big deal for a certain kid age group. And a delight to watch from afar.
We used to have a few golf carters around here, but they’re gone now. I don’t know if they moved or sold their golf carts or came to their senses. Walking is always a nice way to get from point A to point B on this street!
LikeLike
Ha! When I pulled into the driveway with my rental car for the trip I’m on (a brand spanking new Toyota Corolla), my neighbor and his wife were just about to leave themselves and asked with glee if I’d gotten a new car. Nope, I’ll still be driving the old Neon that was manufactured last century. I think they were silently hoping that there would finally be something, anything spiffy on my property for a change (besides the squirrels, of course)…
LikeLike
evilsquirrel13, nice wheels. Even if only for a day or two. Funny how new cars catch everyone’s eye! Won’t your neighbors be bummed when they see your old Neon back in your driveway.
LikeLike
Home sales spiking in the Midwest is nothing but Good News. It’s nice to get a rejuvenation of a neighborhood, and it’s nice when homes are sold, not merely put up for rent, which is what happens a lot in our area. Legacy homes were hard to move, and the sons and daughters had to rent the houses so as not to take a loss or leave them empty.
LikeLike
nance, I’m enjoying the rejuvenation. So far, at least. Probably what amazes me the most is how pretty this street can look when neighbor’s put some thought to it! Most of the houses are now owner occupied which is a good thing. Hope the new owners continue with the trend. I like all this freshness around me!
LikeLike
These are all good signs. Little things add up. 🙂
LikeLike
Kourtney, yes they do. *yeah*
LikeLike