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.


"jmcquown" wrote in message
...
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
--
I used to have a handle on life...but it broke off.