The big eruv: So So
We have found several interesting apartment ads, but the most interesting one is stunning. HUGE 103 m2 (more than 1100 square feet), balconies, loggia where we would put the pets, one guest room, living room and dining room independent, gorgeous pink tile bathroom, one second bathroom (!), etc. And it's in the big eruv, in a building with everything non Jewish (no kosher etc) needed around, 2 or 3 Jewish families in the building (at least one very frum, and one modern - the father uncovered his head when he entered his apartment, the daughter was wearing shorts and a strappy top). Shabbes door etc perfect. Also not too far from the métro, a treat in suburbs.
Small problems:
It's high (sixth floor!) and the stairs aren't lit but there is a small "lamp" on top and the stairs are straight so it's definitely better than here.
The cathedral is just, like, in front. I hope it's not noisy for mass.
The closest shul is around 15 mins by foot so with a baby IYH, it's not doable (not more than here, despite shul being in the building - but at least, if it rains, you hardly get a drop if you stay under the balconies).
I don't know if the average family is as frum as here, and here it's already quite mixed!
You need a car for anything kosher, unless you want to shlep bags on one kilometer.
But the big problem is the population. More precisely, the non Jewish, non black, non Muslim, non Catholic, non Asian people. The "white people" living not in the eruv, but just around. The apartments are very cheap around, non functional, buildings are old and dirty, you see the kind.
Well, these people are very bitter looking (many of them are old and/or sick and/or disabled, lo alenu), and are quite depressing to look that.
The young mothers, often single mothers statistically, look old before age, the kids look sad, dirty and neglected (toddlers alone running around bare foot near glass style) and the young boys are trying to act like gangsters, while the girls already as pre-teens dress absolutely awful.
Think of a middle schooler, barefoot in torn fishnets under a pink short cut like a bathing suit bottom and a corset like top (without shoulders or straps or... back), "dancing" (moving her ass) on rap music on the playground, no less. Or her friend in ultra tight jeans, "artsy" (cut because it was torn and stained) tee and practicing walking "sexily" in 4 in high stilettos. Not sure I can deal with my daughter seeing that pitiful show. I especially need to send my husband seeing what happens on shabbes, if there are many frum kids, bad influences, utter dangers etc. I would come but... I'm NOT walking 3 kms each way ;)
Or am I just unlucky to have seen those two social cases and should I concentrate on frum neighbours? I'm a bit lost.
Small problems:
It's high (sixth floor!) and the stairs aren't lit but there is a small "lamp" on top and the stairs are straight so it's definitely better than here.
The cathedral is just, like, in front. I hope it's not noisy for mass.
The closest shul is around 15 mins by foot so with a baby IYH, it's not doable (not more than here, despite shul being in the building - but at least, if it rains, you hardly get a drop if you stay under the balconies).
I don't know if the average family is as frum as here, and here it's already quite mixed!
You need a car for anything kosher, unless you want to shlep bags on one kilometer.
But the big problem is the population. More precisely, the non Jewish, non black, non Muslim, non Catholic, non Asian people. The "white people" living not in the eruv, but just around. The apartments are very cheap around, non functional, buildings are old and dirty, you see the kind.
Well, these people are very bitter looking (many of them are old and/or sick and/or disabled, lo alenu), and are quite depressing to look that.
The young mothers, often single mothers statistically, look old before age, the kids look sad, dirty and neglected (toddlers alone running around bare foot near glass style) and the young boys are trying to act like gangsters, while the girls already as pre-teens dress absolutely awful.
Think of a middle schooler, barefoot in torn fishnets under a pink short cut like a bathing suit bottom and a corset like top (without shoulders or straps or... back), "dancing" (moving her ass) on rap music on the playground, no less. Or her friend in ultra tight jeans, "artsy" (cut because it was torn and stained) tee and practicing walking "sexily" in 4 in high stilettos. Not sure I can deal with my daughter seeing that pitiful show. I especially need to send my husband seeing what happens on shabbes, if there are many frum kids, bad influences, utter dangers etc. I would come but... I'm NOT walking 3 kms each way ;)
Or am I just unlucky to have seen those two social cases and should I concentrate on frum neighbours? I'm a bit lost.