To get slightly fed up with people being negative about where I live?

[Pyjamaramadrama]

I live in an area that probably has a tiny bit of a bad reputation. I also live in a big city where there are a couple of naice areas but most have a 'reputation', so it's hardly unusual.

The area was probably worse 10 years ago but most was knocked down and rebuilt, what now remains are mostly ex council houses which were bought and then 50/50 new builds which are HA rented or bought.

It's pretty quiet and there's no graffiti or litter apart from down the odd back street remaining from the old. I've lived here for 6 years and never had a single problem.

Yet quite often when I tell people where I live, they pull faces as if to say it's rough. I've also been told several times firstly not to get a dustbin, then not to put any Xmas lights outside, not to leave a reef on the door, not to put anything in my shed. As 'the kids' will nick it, burn it, smash it 'round there'. The thing is there's no 'kids' hanging around and none of these things have happened despite me ignoring their advice.

I've had worse very rude comments but I can't really say as they'd definitely out me if the people were reading. But things along the lines of how they'd hate to live here.

It genuinely isn't any worse than anywhere else in this city. There's nothing specifically horrible and all my neighbours are ok, are employed or own their homes.

The best of it is most of the people who comment live in similar areas or slightly worse, people I know who live in wealthy areas say nothing.

Can anyone think of any witty comments to come back with?

[Cantbelievethisishappening]

I wouldn't even be witty.... just enquire as to when they had moved to the area/lived in the area given their 'knowledge'.

[Feminine]

Obviously don't say, but now l want to know where you live. I am sure your area is just like any other. I am constantly surprised at the mess in some of the towns round here. 'Beautiful Dorset' ;)

[chanie44]

I live in a similar area and there are threads here on mn, where posters say my area horrible.

It isn't the nicest area, but we moved where we could afford to and there isn't anything I can do about it. Oh well.

[vrtra]

How do you fit a reef on a door?

[ArsenicStew]

Yet quite often when I tell people where I live, they pull faces as if to say it's rough

How rude.

I'd just remark on the rudeness, I think, and not try to debate the area.

[Feminine]

With tinsel.

[Feminine]

That was for vrtra

[vrtra]

[itsnotjustastick]

my response would be


there are worse places to live.......next door to you!

then laugh like a drain

[Bunbaker]

"Yet quite often when I tell people where I live, they pull faces as if to say it's rough"

I think that is so rude. I would never comment on where anyone lives. I would just assume that you live where you can afford to live, but never say anything about it.

[Pyjamaramadrama]

Goodness me of course I meant wreath. :-/

[ArsenicStew]

Gosh. More rude superiority directed at the OP. It's not as though that is what she is upset/posting about or anything

Big christmas pat on the back for everyone who can spell 'wreath'.

Merry Christmas OP. Ignore all the rude dickheads.

[Feminine]

That is obvious op ;)

[craftysewer]

We left a 'naice' estate, where I hardly saw anybody, to live in the next town 3 miles up the road. The new house suited our needs perfectly - more space, nearer DM (Ddad) had just died and on a bus route. People were quite derogatory even to the point of asking us 'if we knew what we were doing'. It was the best thing we ever did. I've put tubs outside the front door and have a planter on one of the windows and yes, at times, some plants have been nicked, but I didn't give up and over the last 10 years quite a few of the neighbours now put plants outside their fronts. Just ignore the people who criticise you, they are being rude and snobby.

[RandomMess]

I would try and give a laugh "you're out of touch it's not like that all the time I've been here"

[Pyjamaramadrama]

Ooh I like that one justastick

Won't say if course but it really is typical of most places in the city.

I feel a bit defensive as I've been very happy here.

[Hatespiders]

Well I live in Norfolk, which always produces sniggers and comments about too many fingers etc. But it's a beautiful, peaceful and gentle area with countless picturesque villages and countryside. We love it here.
People shouldn't have prejudices about places; as op says, places change over time.

[Roseformeplease]

And I live on the West Coast of Scotland and anyone I mention it to just goes on and on about the weather.

[chrome100]

I live in a "bad" area, as in lots of students, crime, litter etc but I actually choose to live here because I really like it! It's cheap, near work, on the doorstep of a swimming pool, cinema, city centre, lots of bars, restuarants, museums and libraries and I have a nice little garden.

I sometimes see people raise their eyebrows when I say where I live but I'd far rather be where I am than some dull-assed picket fence suburb.

[bearwithspecs]

Just tell them that you feel very lucky to live in a brilliant and tolerant community

[SouthernComforts]

I don't tell people the name of my town unless I absolutely have to. It is probably the arsehole of England. There's really no redeeming features at all so I just lie and say I live in the next county town over.

[elephantspoo]

That's how I felt about Macklesfield. But now that. I live in Dildo, I'm fine.

[AliceinWinterWonderland]

there's always the MN fallback of "did you mean to be so rude?"

I get this too sometimes about the area of town I live in - I've been quite happy here. I've lived in LOADS worse places. It says more about them (and their lack of manners) than it does about you tbh.

[Innocuoususername]

I get this about the "rough" area of London that I live in, particularly from one friend who still lives in the "naice" part we both grew up in. It's just so rude. The joke is on her of course: she is paying over the odds for a postcode with worse transport links into the centre and less green space. But I'm polite and would never use that as a retort . Instead I just close down any conversation by saying "oh I love it, it's a great place to live". I agree with Alice that it says more about them than it does about you.

[vrtra]

Btw I live in an actual shit hole please do forgive me for a tongue in cheek comment on the worst night of my year.