I used to live in a connected house in Brooklyn. In fact, the whole neighborhood is streets of ten to twenty all-brick, connected houses. So if even one person had a roach problem, it could migrate a couple houses down. Having cats would definitely help.
One time, our neighbors decided to move and had moving sales. Well, apparently their house was so decrepit and disgusting, the stove just covered in food and soot, roaches roaming freely everywhere. We had seen a roach or two in our house, a waterbug maybe, but were surprised that we hadn't seen more considering how close it all was. I guess the brick/cement walls were tight?
I grew up in that house for 20 years, so I'm partial to having fond memories despite my mother always complaining about how its' too little square feet and too many steps. We were robbed when I was little, I have no recollection except lucid and possibly ~fake~ dreams. My parents responded by putting wrought iron bars on all the windows. Smart move. In fact I was often afraid of being mugged since I had to get on the bus to goto Brooklyn Tech at around 5am when it was dark. But I survived. Used to carry bear-grade pepper spray and a nice sized SpiderCo Civilian defense knife. Never had to use them thankfully.
We had a basement that we finished nicely, so it was 3
decent sized floors - but so many, so many steps, two long flights. My parents still live in that house but want to move. I believe they purchased it nearly 35 years ago for close to $150k. Now it's worth $800k. And its' not a mansion, brownstone, or anything fancy. That's NYC / Brooklyn for you ;-)
One time, our neighbors decided to move and had moving sales. Well, apparently their house was so decrepit and disgusting, the stove just covered in food and soot, roaches roaming freely everywhere. We had seen a roach or two in our house, a waterbug maybe, but were surprised that we hadn't seen more considering how close it all was. I guess the brick/cement walls were tight?
I grew up in that house for 20 years, so I'm partial to having fond memories despite my mother always complaining about how its' too little square feet and too many steps. We were robbed when I was little, I have no recollection except lucid and possibly ~fake~ dreams. My parents responded by putting wrought iron bars on all the windows. Smart move. In fact I was often afraid of being mugged since I had to get on the bus to goto Brooklyn Tech at around 5am when it was dark. But I survived. Used to carry bear-grade pepper spray and a nice sized SpiderCo Civilian defense knife. Never had to use them thankfully.
We had a basement that we finished nicely, so it was 3 decent sized floors - but so many, so many steps, two long flights. My parents still live in that house but want to move. I believe they purchased it nearly 35 years ago for close to $150k. Now it's worth $800k. And its' not a mansion, brownstone, or anything fancy. That's NYC / Brooklyn for you ;-)