Welcome to the Country. Where No One Can Hear You Scream.
Okay. I’ve always known that Justin and I currently live in the type of area that many people around the U.S. would refer to as “the boonies.” Or maybe the suburbs of the boonies.
But I didn’t fully come to grips with that fact until yesterday, when I was working my new job.
See, the city of Fayetteville is not that terrible. It has all of the basic amenities, a very small mall, a slurry of chain restaurants and fast food joints, and more and more “urban-chic,” privately owned cafés, coffee houses, restaurants, and specialty shops are cropping up here and there. Thanks to the existence of multicultural Fort Bragg and a high Hispanic population, we can be treated to all kinds of hole-in-the-wall culinary delights, if we know where to look.
The non-sketchy half of downtown Fayetteville is cleaning up quite nicely.
Much of the time, however, I prefer to visit friends in nearby Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, or Pinehurst/Aberdeen/Southern Pines, just to feel like part of a non-transient community for small fractions of time. And sometimes we visit the beach.
The problem is that military communities, in general, can become run-down relatively quickly if the city doesn’t stay on top of things, because if people don’t consider a place a long-term home, they don’t tend to care about long-term aesthetics. Abundant pawn shops, strip clubs and tattoo parlors cater to a young soldier’s basic needs, but it takes a bit longer for a wine café or an independent book store to attract a steady customer base.
So. I would consider this a transitional period for this area.
Then, there are the outskirts. The outskirts are a little… sketchier.
My new job as a real estate assistant involves a lot of running around, primarily stuffing the tracker full of lock boxes and corrugated cardboard signs, then fiddling with keys and combination codes and attempting to use my high-heeled sandals to stamp signs into the ground in 100+ degree heat while wearing a pencil skirt.
It ain’t pretty.
Add to that the fact that yesterday I was so middle-of-nowhere lost, that directly in front of me lay a beautiful field of goldeny wheat looking stuff, but I was too afraid of the ominous meaning in the shotgun pellet-riddled sign I’d just passed to stop and take a picture for you. Or maybe it was the lease we’d just signed with a guy who threatened to shoot us if we tried to get on his property without permission. Or maybe it’s the eviction stories I’ve been hearing around the office. Empty houses. Strangers’ secrets.
Yeah… maybe I’ll get that picture for you next time.
Those of you who are scared of the city and its petty thefts and crowd anonymity should come take a look at the country where everyone has a gun and no one can hear you scream.
Who would’ve thought working in real estate could be such a scary job?
I’m curious about you readers — are you city or country dwellers? Which do you prefer? More importantly, if you’ve ever worked in real estate, just how do you not end up looking all haggard, sweaty and bedraggled at the end of the day?
P.S. We’re doing something exciting this weekend and I’ll be back to tell you all about it next week.
P.P.S. I finished my desk and will be back to show you pictures of it next week.
P.P.P.S. I need my coffee. There really was no point in telling you that, except that I wanted another post-script.
Thank you for your time.
Comments
I much prefer the country because it’s spacious, relaxing, pretty, and quiet (except for the sound of shotguns and four-wheelers haha). Plus if you need anything you can just run to town but then you get to go back home away from the thousands of idiots that frequent Walmart.
P.S. Congrats on the new job girlfriend!!
Girl, I know you’re country, and I honestly couldn’t picture you anywhere else. ;)
That’s actually a lie — I totally think you’d thrive anywhere — but I know you love it here. :)
Thank you! I’m told there’s room to grow, but we all have to start somewhere, right?
I recognize that view in the picture!!
When I was in LA, I missed the finer aspects of country living. Now living in the country (if you consider Kansas City country) I miss the finer aspects of city life. However, I’ve been spending a lot more time downtown these last few months.
I think my soul oddly desires the concrete jungle.
I took that photo when you were here. :)
While I definitely appreciate nature and the peace and quiet of the country, I think it’s safe to say I’m more of a “city girl.” I like being close to things.
Must. Have. City. I don’t think I’m actually capable of living in the country, even though I occasionally think it would be nice to have more space and whatnot. My body actually rejects country life…when I went to spend Christmas in the country with the bf last year, I was physically uncomfortable the entire time…it’s too bad because I think it’s pretty…in photos…but I need my concrete to thrive!
Yeah… I find when I have the space, I have no clue what to do with it. It’s just more work. ;)
We live in the burbs. I’d love to live in a big city, because I miss the arts community and shopping of a larger metropolitan area, but there’s something to be said for living somewhere that your kids can roam freely.
I’ve actually considered working in real estate, because I’m such a real estate junkie, but with your glamorous portrayal, maybe I should stick with kept woman as a job title.
Haha, don’t let my less-than-glamorous portrayal change your mind. I’ve been learning a LOT of interesting things, and it could definitely be a lucrative career — even in this market — if you’re into it and know what you’re doing. Sure, there’s some hard(er) work involved, but I’m happy because it gets me out of the office. Just carry a can of mace and you’ll be fine. ;)
As I’m sure you already know I’m certainly 100% country. You know those dwellings built into the side of grassy hill that the hobbits from The Lord of the Rings live in? Talk about the perfect ideal house for me…besides the fact that I’m 6ft 6in tall hah. Actually, I live a 90 minute train ride out of NYC, possibly an even shorter drive, yet I’ve never been there. I have no desire to go to the city.
p.s. – Did you ever do any CouchSurfing like we talked about a few months back?? I totally made a profile, and the site is awesome! Just another thing to get addicted to. Here’s a link if you want to check it out. http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/nbush/
Nope, that doesn’t surprise me one, little bit. :) Though I DO see how you’d have a horrible time living in a hobbit dwelling at that height! I want the best of both worlds — a hobbit house near a city (not as big as NYC, but something with great culture, restaurants, ethnic foods, etc.) so it’s like I’m traveling while I’m still at home.
I never did do the couch surfing… chickened out being a girl and all. Have you done it yet??
Not YET, although I’m looking into the possibility of doing so in Peru. What I like about it is you don’t necessarily have to stay in someones house. If you want, you can simply invite someone to meet up for coffee or a drink and use it as a way to meet friends in other parts of the world.
Well I definitely think you should give it a try — even if it’s just to meet people. That way you know ahead of time that they’re people who are genuinely interested in meeting foreigners. So cool!!
I’m a suburban girl through and through. The city is great to visit, but I don’t like worrying about things like parking or property costs. The country is gorgeous, but I need the convenience of stores and fast food.*
It’s true, in the suburbs you can have the best (and sometimes the worst) of both worlds. But it’s still… the suburbs. :)
I have never lived in the country so i cant really make a fair comparison. Glad your new jobs working out for you.
Well, then stick to the city and only visit the country. ;)