I want to move but we cannot afford it

[janis362529]

I was so unsure about renting here from hubby's boss( 2 bd condo for a family of 5) but the rent was right. Hubby's boss has mentioned us taking over the landscapeing for a $400 reduction which will cut our rent to $400 if they get rid of lazy bones. But OMG the neighbors are driving me nuts.

Background
A little more then a year ago I had a complete breakdown and was hospitalized with PTSD, sever anxiety, depression, and borderline. Slowly I have been making huge steps to recovering my mental health and have been doing great. I take my days very easy and do my best at keeping things in order around the house but it is no where near Stepford Wife perfection but far from trashy mess.

Well today I had a major set back due to my neighbors who to give credit are not aware of my mental health issues. When I left this morning to take my daughter to school and run errands they came and CLEANED my area of the condo( Front steps, gravel yard right next to my front door, area surrounding my back door and picnic table area) Everything they picked up they put in a pile in front of my back yard. The pile at the bottom was my container garden, followed up on top with a tent I had laying out on the table to dry, some wet blankets again laid out on table to dry, followed by my table top grill, then the kids toys and on the top was my house phone which I leave on my front stoop so I can grab and make a call while watching the kids in the car. Then then took our little wading pool and leaned that against the other neighbor's wall. So I now have crushed plants, greasy blankets, very damp folded tent, and a soaked phone.( the rain came back)

I feel so violated but this is just the icing on the cake so to speak. Hubby's boss speaks to him about once a month that the neighbors are complaining about the noise(hello 3 kids) but since the weather has been good we have been outside all day and they go to bed at 7( we hear our neighbors till midnight(hubby and I sleep downstairs), the kids toys in the yard( every night we pick them up but again the neighbor's daughter also plays with them when we are not outside), and other petty stuff

I want to leave so bad but hubby's boss is very relaxed with getting the rent. They know what Ray makes and nows that work has not been very busy so they work with us knowing that they will get the money. They take Ray's overtime and put that to the rent which is nice. So our rent is $800 due on the first well on the first we may give them $300 and then nothing for 2 weeks and then give them $500 from his on call week. We are now only $200 behing which our stimulus that we got today is going towards plus we are paying for July since Ray will be out on disablity and the checks take a few weeks to start coming in.

I soooooooo wish I could afford the security to another apartment peferablly a house so that I do not have to deal with jerks.

Sorry about the vent. Does anyone have any ideas of what I could say to them( the neighbors) or how I can find the money to leave or maybe the patience to just deal with them.

[prftstrngr]

First of all...remember to take care of yourself first. Dont let them get to you! Your health and well being is important and your family needs you to be well.

Now....I think I would try to get together with boss/landlord and neighbours. In order to resolve it it cant be a he said-she said situation. You all need to talk it out at the same time. Hubbies boss rented to you knowing you had kids so that shouldnt be an issue and Im sure your kids arent up til midnight keeping the neighbours awake. They shouldnt have the right to pick up your things and just pile them by your door. Ask them if they have a problem to please let you know... example....kids toys in front of their door and you will do your best to resolve it.

I think the key is some communication between all parties involved. there has to be a way you can come to some mutual agreement. Especially since you really cant spend the money to move right now.

If that doesnt work....I would start to save every extra penny until you can afford to move! Good Luck!

[larabelle]

I agree that all of you need to sit down and talk. I know that some neighbors believe cleanliness is a very BIG deal and can not cope with mess of any type, meaning on their property and/or on their neighbor's property. Can you tell that I know of several people/friends/relatives who believe this to be the case? Did they speak with you about the mess prior to just cleaning your area? Regardless I would have a long chat with them.
You do have a GREAT deal since your hubbie's boss is so relaxed with the rent. I do not know of anyplace which would allow you to rent and pay in segments versus paying the entire monthly amount by the beginning of the month.
The noise would drive me crazy...you hear them until midnight!!! That is just crazy!! I can not cope without my rest so I would be trying to move ASAP.

[janis362529]

Well I went ahead and wrote an extremmely pleasent note. Thanking them for helping keep my yard Stepford wife perfect and asking the next time they feel up to it to please leave items on my stoop alone and not to move my container garden.
A little while later MIke the neighbor spoke with my husband and appoligized saying he went way to far. Ray(hubby) continued with the super nice tone of the letter and told them he appreciated what they did but that I have some mental health issues and he was upset that he had to loss 2 hours pay to calm me down. He went on to ask them to talk to us before going right to the landlord or taking it upon them selves to clean up our area. SO we shall see.
The funniest part of it all is they asked if we wanted to join them at the lake since the kids have a great time together.
On Monday Ray is speaking with the boss in charge of the outside to find out more definite what the boundries are and what is/isn;t acceptable.
Ugh I so wish we were renting a house and not so close to uptight people.

[larabelle]

Well I went ahead and wrote an extremmely pleasent note. Thanking them for helping keep my yard Stepford wife perfect and asking the next time they feel up to it to please leave items on my stoop alone and not to move my container garden.

You handled things extremely well. I am so glad that everything worked out just try to keep things really neat in your area or I have a feeling their will be a repeat of them "cleaning" up your area.

[IntlMom]

I'm glad that things look like they have smoothed out this time, I hope it continues to get better.

[FrugalMomof3]

I think you handled the situation really well and thank goodness your neighbors didnt take it the wrong way and be PITA's about it.

2ndly, remember to take it easy, dont let others make your blood boil, that will only fuel them and make you feel worse.