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?