[RayinPenn]

Last night my wife was shopping with her sister who lives about 15 minutes away. I had just walked the dog and noticed one of my low voltage outside lights was acting up so I fooled with it a bit and came in. My son was busy with his game in the front of the house. Then the dog begins to make a ruckus I go to the front of the house look and see nothing. Then there is someone banging and pulling on our outer door. I yell Carolyn is that you? No answer and I don't see her car. More noise I run (more of a hobble, old man bad knees) and get the shot gun, load it and dial 911. I tell them the story and that I am armed. The police say put down the gun. I stay inside I don't put down the gun until A few minutes pass and here comes the wife. I go outside sans shot gun and hustle the wife inside. Police come and look around and find nothing.

Before the police leave I see my neighbor and tell him about the neighbors Super Bowl night burglary ( they stole an obscene amount of jewelry) and what just happened. He generally keeps to himself. He says well "I've had my door banged on twice in the last few weeks. I've even gotten my gun with the laser and swept the woods to let them know I mean business". He shows me he's got a small handgun in his pocket.

I go back in the house and realize it's 39 degrees out and I'm drenched with sweat. I sit down and think did that really happen? Some neighbors stop by and they say they are getting cameras...he also makes some suggestions about how he keeps his shot gun ready.

I usually sleep quite well but this morning I am up at 430AM. The neighbors burglary already had me on edge no doubt. I think Kids? Could it be? I just don't know.

Nearby Delaware in particular Wilmington was just voted "one of the most dangerous small cuties" I think 2 more years until my son graduates...

I've added this new post because the last one has too many pages...

[Sandtrap328]

Definitely sounds like a bad situation and a declining area. For your safety and for the safety of your family, I would suggest selling the house at whatever price you could get and move away.

You may take a bath on the sale, but it is better than being afraid for your life, doesn't it? Waiting 2 more years of living in fear until your son graduates will have a negative impact on your health. Move to a safer area to make sure you all will be around to see him graduate.

("boarder" means a renter. "border" means a boundary.)

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328

Definitely sounds like a bad situation and a declining area. For your safety and for the safety of your family, I would suggest selling the house at whatever price you could get and move away.

You may take a bath on the sale, but it is better than being afraid for your life, doesn't it? Waiting 2 more years of living in fear until your son graduates will have a negative impact on your health. Move to a safer area to make sure you all will be around to see him graduate.

("boarder" means a renter. "border" means a boundary.)

He is right. Listen to him.

[RayinPenn]

Daughter is a university and gets the in state rate....

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by RayinPenn

Daughter is a university and gets the in state rate....

Stay in Pennsylvania and move. You have two healthy kids to help you. You may take a bath, but you will assuredly take a bigger bath later if things are going downhill.

[Sandtrap328]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Stay in Pennsylvania and move. You have two healthy kids to help you. You may take a bath, but you will assuredly take a bigger bath later if things are going downhill.

GracieGirl is right. Listen to her!

[manaboutown]

I owned and operated a commercial rental property in a part of town which for years was safe enough. Then the city granted section 8 status to most of the apartment houses in the surrounding area. Shortly, the neighborhood became rough. One heard gun shots now and then. After on two occasions being unable to get to the property during the day due to swat teams having the roads closed off while they were busting crack/meth houses I gave up and sold it at a loss to an out of towner. I never looked back. Selling that property was unquestionably the right thing to do and I only regret not selling it sooner.

SELL!

[Villageswimmer]

I Feel so bad for you and your family. I can't imagine how horrible it would be to feel unsafe in your own home.

[SALYBOW]

Originally Posted by RayinPenn

Daughter is a university and gets the in state rate....

Check with the Univ. At ours, once you start school as an in state resident you can continue at that rate. After living on campus she is now a Penn State resident in her own right.

[RayinPenn]

Will do sally...thanks

[Nightengale212]

Ray do you have an alarm system ? I do not live in a high crime area but about 15 years ago fortunately nobody was home when both my neighbor's homes across the street were broken into by an armed criminal. That incident really shook me up and within a week I had an alarm system installed and have felt very safe ever since. Plus, the reduction I get on my home owner's insurance for having an alarm pretty much offsets my alarm monitoring fees. Suggesting this as an option if you can't make a move now.