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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / July 2005Speaking of Fences (OT)
I've been living in this apartment complex for 9 years now. I never had a complaint until they decided to rip out and re-build the fences around the patios in 1999. The old fences were 6 feet tall and provided privacy but they needed to be replaced. The new ones they installed are only 3 feet tall! Granted, I don't have a jacuzzi on my patio. But my sliding glass doors into my bedroom open onto the patio and face the main driveway. I don't feel comfortable changing changing my clothes in my bedroom without making sure either the vertical blinds are closed or I step into the bathroom or the closet. I was assured no one could see in (how do they know, did they come look?) I was given a buttload of excuses, but we all know it was cheaper for them to have 3 foot fences installed. Among the excuses given was "so our security people can tell if someone who doesn't belong there is on the patio". Really? So they know what my friends look like? They know what *I* look like? (Not only that, I've never *seen* these alleged security people. Maybe they are invisible, like greeblings.) I have a covered patio swing and when it's not 100F degrees I like to sit outside in my swimsuit or shorts and a tank top and read. So, the yard guys are walking around trimming hedges, cutting the grass and picking up fallen branches. Privacy? Nope. Lots of gawking going on; makes me very uncomfortable. Then there was the time I was out there refilling the bird feeder; I took it down off the shepherd's hook and was pouring seed in when a man who lives down the street (not in the complex) spoke. I nearly jumped out of my skin. There he was leaning over the fence; I had no idea he was there. Yes, this makes me feel so much more "secure". I wrote a strongly worded letter to the management firm and of course received no reply. It wasn't enough to make me move; they are excellent about taking care of everything else. But I just don't enjoy my patio as much as I used to. Jill  SignatureI used to have a handle on life...but it broke off. I'm condo-hunting right now and firstoff informed my r.e.agent there is *no way* I will even look @ what locally they call "garden-level" - which could be either basement or ground-level - apts. Less trouble to break into than higher floors. I have a suggestion for your dilemma though: tall potted ficus trees, as many as necessary, (real or fake if your patio's covered) positioned around perimeter of patio to obscure present unobstructed views. I used this to advantage on patio of a '70's-era apt. where we lived in Miami which faced (yes!) I-95 (we called it "the Niner" affectionately) southbound. It was *not* ground-level. We hung strands of lights on them @ Xmas. They were real. > I've been living in this apartment complex for 9 years now. I never had a > complaint until they decided to rip out and re-build the fences around the [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > > Jill > I'm condo-hunting right now and firstoff informed my r.e.agent there is *no > way* I will even look @ what locally they call "garden-level" - which could > be either basement or ground-level - apts. Less trouble to break into than > higher floors. I never thought of that--my first inclination would be to want a ground-floor to make it easier to haul groceries and my self up a flight of stairs. Also jumping out a window in case of fire would be handier if it was ground floor. Tornados, wait, you don't have tornados do you. I used to leave the upstairs windows unlocked, even open, when we lived in the city. I didn't take into consideration the agility of the average burglar. It was no problem for them to get on top of the fence, then on top of the garage roof, then in the bedroom window. Speaking also of fences, there are eight cows lined up with their heads through the barbed wire fence staring at me right now. I know how you hate cows, it made me chuckle. This is watermelon/canteloup season. I take the rinds outside and throw them over the fence for "the girls". I think they think if they stare me down I'll take something out there. Sherry ROFL, Sherry, I don't hate cows but I can see where you'd think so: I'm just very very afraid of them unless they are reduced to ground-up status in between two buns....urban Miami is a lot different than where you live, Sherry, AFA safety in "garden-level" housing. Ditto MileHigh.... >> I'm condo-hunting right now and firstoff informed my r.e.agent there is >> *no [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > Sherry > ROFL, Sherry, I don't hate cows but I can see where you'd think so: I'm just > very very afraid of them unless they are reduced to ground-up status in > between two buns. Unless the cows are buffalo, and then they're still scary! *grin* *duck* Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca Heh....scarier, hairier, and much smellier. >> ROFL, Sherry, I don't hate cows but I can see where you'd think so: I'm >> just [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > *grin* *duck* right now and firstoff informed my r.e.agent there is *no > > way* I will even look @ what locally they call "garden-level" - which could > > be either basement or ground-level - apts. Less trouble to break into than [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > handier if it was ground floor. Tornados, wait, you don't have tornados > do you. I live on the third floor. If there is a fire, we are low enough to survive the jump/fall. But we are high enough that no one can look into our windows walking by, and no one can jump onto our balcony from the ground. If burglars want in, they will need to either get around the security in the lobby or be athletic enough to rappel up to our balcony. Smash-n-grab isn't an option. We get a bit of excercise hauling up our groceries up the stairs, but we don't exhaust ourselves. --Fil PS. Those maintenance guys sound super creepy. Ick :( It should be part of their job to be friendly YET INOBTRUSIVE, not hanging out like they were your friend or family or something. I feel very fortunate that our building's management is mostly hands-off (though they are helping us out with our loud-music-playing neighbours.) > PS. Those maintenance guys sound super creepy. Ick :( It should be > part of their job to be friendly YET INOBTRUSIVE, not hanging out like > they were your friend or family or something. Yeah, it freaked me out, to say the least. The manager told me the guy leaving me gifts had placed personal ads in the newspaper. Uh... then when you tell him to *stay away from me* tell him I don't qualify for the job! Jill Ditto our apt. Corner PH on bldg tall enough to where I can see gold-domed Capitol from l.r. windows - no one but firerescue has ladders high enough to reach up here (told to us by cable guy, who had to rappel his line down side of bldg) and we have an ancient but colorful elevator. Secure entryway. If anybody gets in here it'll be through the door and we are well versed in urban survival skills. Reason I moved in here: very near relative's houses, and corporate owners of bldg. LOVE cats & d-pets (any amount you want is fine). I bet Memphis is a lot tamer (not counting the maint.men LOL) than Capitol hill MileHigh. Let's hope so. > right now and firstoff informed my r.e.agent there is *no >> > way* I will even look @ what locally they call "garden-level" - which [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > hands-off (though they are helping us out with our loud-music-playing > neighbours.) right now and firstoff informed my r.e.agent there is *no > > way* I will even look @ what locally they call "garden-level" - which could > > be either basement or ground-level - apts. Less trouble to break into than [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > handier if it was ground floor. Tornados, wait, you don't have tornados > do you. I live on the third floor. If there is a fire, we are low enough to survive the jump/fall. But we are high enough that no one can look into our windows walking by, and no one can jump onto our balcony from the ground. If burglars want in, they will need to either get around the security in the lobby or be athletic enough to rappel up to our balcony. Smash-n-grab isn't an option. We get a bit of excercise hauling up our groceries up the stairs, but we don't exhaust ourselves. --Fil PS. Those maintenance guys sound super creepy. Ick :( It should be part of their job to be friendly YET INOBTRUSIVE, not hanging out like they were your friend or family or something. I feel very fortunate that our building's management is mostly hands-off (though they are helping us out with our loud-music-playing neighbours.) right now and firstoff informed my r.e.agent there is *no > > way* I will even look @ what locally they call "garden-level" - which could > > be either basement or ground-level - apts. Less trouble to break into than [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > handier if it was ground floor. Tornados, wait, you don't have tornados > do you. I live on the third floor. If there is a fire, we are low enough to survive the jump/fall. But we are high enough that no one can look into our windows walking by, and no one can jump onto our balcony from the ground. If burglars want in, they will need to either get around the security in the lobby or be athletic enough to rappel up to our balcony. Smash-n-grab isn't an option. We get a bit of excercise hauling up our groceries up the stairs, but we don't exhaust ourselves. --Fil PS. Those maintenance guys sound super creepy. Ick :( It should be part of their job to be friendly YET INOBTRUSIVE, not hanging out like they were your friend or family or something. I feel very fortunate that our building's management is mostly hands-off (though they are helping us out with our loud-music-playing neighbours.) > I'm condo-hunting right now and firstoff informed my r.e.agent there > is *no way* I will even look @ what locally they call "garden-level" [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > It was *not* ground-level. We hung strands of lights on them @ Xmas. > They were real. I thought about it. However, there are no 2nd floor apartments in this complex. And like Sherry, I was tired of hauling groceries upstairs. Plus if they want to break in, they will find a way. Burglars can climb stairs just like we can :) Potted ficus trees would be nice but there's another problem. I have split oak logs piled up inside of the patio against the fence to use in my wood-burning fireplace during the winter. It's the side next to the driveway. Jill >> I've been living in this apartment complex for 9 years now. I never >> had a complaint until they decided to rip out and re-build the [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] >> -- >> I used to have a handle on life...but it broke off. > I've been living in this apartment complex for 9 years now. I never had a > complaint until they decided to rip out and re-build the fences around the [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > about taking care of everything else. But I just don't enjoy my patio as > much as I used to. That really sucks, too! How about starting a petition among the residents? Do you have a renters' association or something like that? Hugs, CatNipped > Jill >> I was given a buttload of excuses, but we all know it was cheaper >> for them to have 3 foot fences installed. Among the excuses given [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > CatNipped Nope, no renter's association. I started a petition when they first started replacing the fences (before they ever got to mine) but it did no good. The new fences are nicely constructed but it was all about the money. Besides, it was 6 years ago so it's not like they are going to rip out the fences and start over at this point. I and others just have to deal with it. Really, otherwise it's a great place to live. When I first moved in my central A/C wasn't working all that well. They immediately replaced my outside unit. They've replaced the water heater, the carpet from the leaking water heater, the dishwasher and disposal, all within a day of my having a problem. Guess that's why I'm still here :) They also replace the smoke alarm batteries every three months. I never lived in a place where I didn't have to do that myself. Plus, I hate moving. Jill > I've been living in this apartment complex for 9 years now. I never > had a complaint until they decided to rip out and re-build the fences [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > into the bathroom or the closet. I was assured no one could see in > (how do they know, did they come look?) Er, and of course *before* complaining, you went out to the driveway and attempted to see in under various lighting conditions, right? If people /can/ see in, have you checked at your local Lowe's or Builder's Square or Menard's for sheets of easy-to-apply reflective film? SignatureOnce a suicide bomber, always a suicide bomber >> I don't feel comfortable changing changing my clothes in my bedroom >> without making sure either the vertical blinds are closed or I step [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Er, and of course *before* complaining, you went out to the driveway > and attempted to see in under various lighting conditions, right? Yep, during broad daylight you can see into my bedroom windows. If I have the lights on I can't see out but people can see *in*. > If people /can/ see in, have you checked at your local Lowe's or > Builder's Square or Menard's for sheets of easy-to-apply reflective > film? Why should I spend my money on this? This also doesn't address the fact that the yard workers are peering over the fence at me when I'm outside, making me feel uncomfortable. Heck, I don't know where these guys come from. For all I know they could have been recently released from prison. In my nine years tenency I've had a couple of "maintenance" workers make me feel uncomfortable. One was the guy who was leaning over my fence when I was filling the bird feeder; he hadn't worked there in years. When he did work here and a huge storm came up causing a massive electrical outage, he felt it necessary to knock on my door to make sure I wasn't late for work. He even asked me if I'd seen him shining his flashlight around at 3 AM. I complained to the manager. I already knew my office was closed. It was not his job to make sure I went to work. Then there was the other maintenance guy who started leaving me notes and things like wind-chimes as "gifts". He saw me sitting out there and also noticed I have wind-chimes on my patio. Okay, this got a tad too creepy. I called the manager; does this guy have a key to my apartment? Yes, he did. I filed a complaint and had the office change my locks and make sure he didn't have a key. He was living there at half cost in exchange for doing some routine maintenance around the place. Routine maintenance doesn't include leaving notes and little gifts. It wasn't the first time he'd been reported for approaching women he thought were single. He didn't live there much longer. Jill >> If people /can/ see in, have you checked at your local Lowe's or >> Builder's Square or Menard's for sheets of easy-to-apply reflective >> film? > > Why should I spend my money on this? Because in addition to providing you with more privacy, the film will cut down immensely on your need to run an air-conditioner. Just a thought - hope it all works out for you. >>> If people /can/ see in, have you checked at your local Lowe's or >>> Builder's Square or Menard's for sheets of easy-to-apply reflective [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > cut down immensely on your need to run an air-conditioner. > Just a thought - hope it all works out for you. Oh, it's fine now. Those maintenance guys are long gone. But any "improvements" to the property must remain intact as such. Since I'm unemployed I'd rather spend my money on food and such :) I was just bitching about how they handled the fence thing (from privacy to a near lack of). Don't mind me :) Jill > I wrote a strongly worded letter to the management firm and of > course received no reply. It wasn't enough to make me move; they > are excellent about taking care of everything else. But I just > don't enjoy my patio as much as I used to. Maybe you could speak to others in your complex and see if several people have the same concerns? I know what it's like having to worry about changing in my own apartment -- when Oscar was a kitten, she destroyed all of the blinds. I slept in a bedroom with no window coverings and changed in the bathroom! Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca |
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