Hopitus wrote:
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 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


"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.