"The infamous clothesline question. . . " smh

polaris_x

at least now i understand how communities get developed where everyone has to use the same paint and aren't allowed to hang flags ... :fp: ...

i find it utterly sad that someone could claim eyesore as a reason not to do what's right on so many levels ...

drying your clothes by air:
* preserves the life of your clothes
* uses less energy and products
* is good for the planet
* saves people money

and people aren't supposed to do that because someone considers it an eyesore!?? ... what if i consider people wearing jeans an eyesore - should we ban that!? ... fucking absurd ...

MotoDC

riotgrl wrote:

Never thought a thread about clotheslines would get contentious

Leave it to AMT, right?

MotoDC

The clothesline thing is ridiculous, I agree, but all you folks focusing on the "eyesore" part of it -- you're missing the point. It's not that it's an eyesore per se, but that it creates a perception of the neighborhood that could potential lower property values. Like it or not, clotheslines are associated with...well, not poverty, but not wealth either. The perception of wealth can create economic value.

Thirty Bills Unpaid

MotoDC wrote:

The clothesline thing is ridiculous, I agree, but all you folks focusing on the "eyesore" part of it -- you're missing the point. It's not that it's an eyesore per se, but that it creates a perception of the neighborhood that could potential lower property values. Like it or not, clotheslines are associated with...well, not poverty, but not wealth either. The perception of wealth can create economic value.

The point has not been lost- it's just weak.

On a smaller scale and speaking strictly from the environmentalist side of things: if people subscribe to this line of thinking... then they would have the same (or at least similar) value set as larger, greedy, demonized corporations seeking a stronger bottom line even if it means a cost to the environment: both primarily concerned with their economic welfare.

MotoDC

Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:

MotoDC wrote:

The clothesline thing is ridiculous, I agree, but all you folks focusing on the "eyesore" part of it -- you're missing the point. It's not that it's an eyesore per se, but that it creates a perception of the neighborhood that could potential lower property values. Like it or not, clotheslines are associated with...well, not poverty, but not wealth either. The perception of wealth can create economic value.

The point has not been lost- it's just weak.

On a smaller scale and speaking strictly from the environmentalist side of things: if people subscribe to this line of thinking... then they would have the same (or at least similar) value set as larger, greedy, demonized corporations seeking a stronger bottom line even if it means a cost to the environment: both primarily concerned with their economic welfare.

Eh, I don't recall seeing the point made once, so whether it was lost is a matter of opinion. Perhaps it wasn't lost on you. Anyhow, I agree it's weak vis-a-vis the clothesline, but it's still stronger than the raw "eyesore" complaint. If I risk 100s of thousands of my own money on a home, it's reasonable to expect the image that contributed to that high cost to be protected. I honestly didn't read the OP's article, so I guess I'll add the caveat here that it shouldn't be the local gov't making these ordinances, but the neighborhood's HoA. If it's the local gov't making this rule, I do have a problem with it.

polaris_x

MotoDC wrote:

The clothesline thing is ridiculous, I agree, but all you folks focusing on the "eyesore" part of it -- you're missing the point. It's not that it's an eyesore per se, but that it creates a perception of the neighborhood that could potential lower property values. Like it or not, clotheslines are associated with...well, not poverty, but not wealth either. The perception of wealth can create economic value.

this line of reasoning is also absurd ... if i park a porsche in front of a condemned home - am i gonna sell it for more? ... housing values are gonna be based on numerous variables ... if a clothesline is one of them - people have lost all sense of reason ...

i live in a neighbourhood that's average house probably goes for $800k (i rent) ... and many people hang their clothes ... i pretty much hang all my clothes to dry ... only thing i don't are towels and my sheets (mainly because they are kinda big) ...

just because some people consider a clothesline a sign of "not wealth" doesn't make it fair or reasonable ... if i put $200 jeans on the clothesline - what then? ... if a neighbour comes home with a ton of shopping bags from wal mart - what about that? ...

pandora

oh gosh nothing smells better than clothes hung out to dry in the fresh air and sunshine
remembering by gone days and my Mama
I long to live in the countryside where no one can tell me no
That's living!

MotoDC

polaris_x wrote:

MotoDC wrote:

The clothesline thing is ridiculous, I agree, but all you folks focusing on the "eyesore" part of it -- you're missing the point. It's not that it's an eyesore per se, but that it creates a perception of the neighborhood that could potential lower property values. Like it or not, clotheslines are associated with...well, not poverty, but not wealth either. The perception of wealth can create economic value.

this line of reasoning is also absurd ... if i park a porsche in front of a condemned home - am i gonna sell it for more? ... housing values are gonna be based on numerous variables ... if a clothesline is one of them - people have lost all sense of reason ...

i live in a neighbourhood that's average house probably goes for $800k (i rent) ... and many people hang their clothes ... i pretty much hang all my clothes to dry ... only thing i don't are towels and my sheets (mainly because they are kinda big) ...

just because some people consider a clothesline a sign of "not wealth" doesn't make it fair or reasonable ... if i put $200 jeans on the clothesline - what then? ... if a neighbour comes home with a ton of shopping bags from wal mart - what about that? ...

I'm sorry you don't understand real estate...the line of reasoning is standard and accepted...you may disagree as to whether clotheslines themselves impact property value...I said myself that the rule is ridiculous...that the impact in this example is exaggerated at least...nevertheless the line of reasoning that the general appearance of a neighborhood impacts the value of the houses contained in it is pretty basic...

If you want to talk about absurd lines of reasoning...wal mart bags would generally be found inside the house other than the 5 seconds that they are carried from car to house...so it's an irrelevant example...if you wanted to decorate your front-yard tree with wal mart bags...then maybe we'd have a what-if to discuss...

polaris_x

MotoDC wrote:

I'm sorry you don't understand real estate...the line of reasoning is standard and accepted...you may disagree as to whether clotheslines themselves impact property value...I said myself that the rule is ridiculous...that the impact in this example is exaggerated at least...nevertheless the line of reasoning that the general appearance of a neighborhood impacts the value of the houses contained in it is pretty basic...

If you want to talk about absurd lines of reasoning...wal mart bags would generally be found inside the house other than the 5 seconds that they are carried from car to house...so it's an irrelevant example...if you wanted to decorate your front-yard tree with wal mart bags...then maybe we'd have a what-if to discuss...

haha ... it's funny cuz i work sort of in real estate ...

sooo ... you admit as much that it is ridiculous but that we should accept it nonetheless!??

really - this topic makes me:

1. glad i don't live in such an ignorant community
2. sad that there are places where people are like this

as for the wal-mart bags ... am i now to believe that if a person indeed were to say have wal mart bags in front of his house ... for whatever reason - you'd be ok with the same judgmental assumptions?

MotoDC

polaris_x wrote:

MotoDC wrote:

I'm sorry you don't understand real estate...the line of reasoning is standard and accepted...you may disagree as to whether clotheslines themselves impact property value...I said myself that the rule is ridiculous...that the impact in this example is exaggerated at least...nevertheless the line of reasoning that the general appearance of a neighborhood impacts the value of the houses contained in it is pretty basic...

If you want to talk about absurd lines of reasoning...wal mart bags would generally be found inside the house other than the 5 seconds that they are carried from car to house...so it's an irrelevant example...if you wanted to decorate your front-yard tree with wal mart bags...then maybe we'd have a what-if to discuss...

haha ... it's funny cuz i work sort of in real estate ...

sooo ... you admit as much that it is ridiculous but that we should accept it nonetheless!??

really - this topic makes me:

1. glad i don't live in such an ignorant community
2. sad that there are places where people are like this

as for the wal-mart bags ... am i now to believe that if a person indeed were to say have wal mart bags in front of his house ... for whatever reason - you'd be ok with the same judgmental assumptions?

If you work in real estate...i hope you understand that neighborhood appearances do impact individual property values...

my opinion on the clotheslines is that the local gov't should never ban them (outside of some weird extenuating circumstances)...HoAs should have the freedom to do so but shouldn't opt to...perhaps at most a restriction on the size so that you don't have giant contraptions like in the video in OP's link...

if someone decorated their front yard with wal mart bags...who needs assumptions at that point...not many folks would want to live next to that just on the face of it...

polaris_x

MotoDC wrote:

If you work in real estate...i hope you understand that neighborhood appearances do impact individual property values...

my opinion on the clotheslines is that the local gov't should never ban them (outside of some weird extenuating circumstances)...HoAs should have the freedom to do so but shouldn't opt to...perhaps at most a restriction on the size so that you don't have giant contraptions like in the video in OP's link...

if someone decorated their front yard with wal mart bags...who needs assumptions at that point...not many folks would want to live next to that just on the face of it...

i do understand the various things that go into property values ... in most places - having a clothesline is not one of them ... and it is my belief that in places where they are - it's wrong ...

i'm not even suggesting decorating with walmart bags ... but say they put their garbage in those plastic bags and left them on the curb for pickup ...

either way - assessing property values on clothesline is absurd ... whether people do it or not ... talk about taking away someone's freedoms!

Jeanwah

oceaninmyeyes wrote:

riotgrl wrote:

Never thought a thread about clotheslines would get contentious

However, I will say I live in one of those neighborhoods with a HOA and we have by-laws that prohibit clotheslines. However, I decided about 2 years ago that I wanted one anyway and I put it in my backyard as close to the house as I could get it so very few of my neighbors would be able to see it. The VP of the HOA was not happy about this - luckily I'm married to him so I told him that if he would like a happy home life the clothesline stays True story.

I love this story. Riotgrl you are quite the rebel. :thumbup:

Yeah, great story riotgrl. Now, only if you could talk to the VP about getting rid of such a dumb rule altogether...

Jeanwah

polaris_x wrote:

at least now i understand how communities get developed where everyone has to use the same paint and aren't allowed to hang flags ... :fp: ...

i find it utterly sad that someone could claim eyesore as a reason not to do what's right on so many levels ...

drying your clothes by air:
* preserves the life of your clothes
* uses less energy and products
* is good for the planet
* saves people money

and people aren't supposed to do that because someone considers it an eyesore!?? ... what if i consider people wearing jeans an eyesore - should we ban that!? ... fucking absurd ...

My sisters, who all have and use their clothes lines but for sheets and beach towels only have said this to me while putting wet clothes on the line: the sun fades the color! You can't do that! :roll:

Jeanwah

MotoDC wrote:

The clothesline thing is ridiculous, I agree, but all you folks focusing on the "eyesore" part of it -- you're missing the point. It's not that it's an eyesore per se, but that it creates a perception of the neighborhood that could potential lower property values. Like it or not, clotheslines are associated with...well, not poverty, but not wealth either. The perception of wealth can create economic value.

Tell me, then, how solar panels could potentially lower property values. Same with wind turbines. Locally, a development voted to kick homeowners out of the community because they had solar panels in their back yard. Oh, and I've heard in some places that front gardens are against rules. Gardens are now eyesores too, to the wealthy, not aesthetically appropriate!

PJ_Soul

even flow - question mark wrote:

PJ_Soul wrote:

It can be an eyesore. I wouldn't be happy if my neighbors were stringing up their laundry. It gives a feeling of being in a slum a littl bit IMO. But people generally need to calm the fuck down and be more tolerant of other people's behaviour. Sometimes things just aren't going to please everyone - that's life.

That said, I'm in support of bylaws banning the hanging of laundry outside where it can be seen by others.

I'd rather see laundry then people picking their noses or hocking loogies on the street. Living in Vancouver (?), you know exactly what I mean.

Um, yeah, that is not pleasant. I'd rather see laundry than a lot of things one can see in Vancouver!

even flow - question mark

I'm sure that six cars, on a driveway is less appealing then a clothes line.

I'm sure weeds on a lawn are less appealing then a clothes line.

I'm sure that no lawn at all is less appealing then a clothes line.

I'm sure that a roof that needs replacing and still has not been, is less appealing then a clothes line.

I'm sure that when I want to sit in my backyard and enjoy nature, yet have to listen to some shitty music from some neighbours house, is less appealing then a clothes line.

Listening to the neighbours air vent from their dryer, while sitting outside is less appealing then a clothes line.

Cosmo

even flow - question mark wrote:

I'm sure that six cars, on a driveway is less appealing then a clothes line.

I'm sure weeds on a lawn are less appealing then a clothes line.

I'm sure that no lawn at all is less appealing then a clothes line.

I'm sure that a roof that needs replacing and still has not been, is less appealing then a clothes line.

I'm sure that when I want to sit in my backyard and enjoy nature, yet have to listen to some shitty music from some neighbours house, is less appealing then a clothes line.

Listening to the neighbours air vent from their dryer, while sitting outside is less appealing then a clothes line.

..
I like the gential crabs laced filthy couch on the porch decor... I think it is called, 'Eclectic, Shabby Chic Fung Sway' or something.

chadwick

MotoDC wrote:

chadwick wrote:

some places won't allow you to have a pool in your backyard unless underground. all above ground pools will be lit of fire immediately

Yeah, but, c'mon. Above ground pools? As bad as that old ford on cinderblocks with 2 feet of grass growing around the blocks...

it aint your flippin business what someone else has in their own backyard

chadwick

if i were a god damn multimillionaire in a mansion on a hill i'd be havin some badass laundry hanging around outside on me lines. i'd make it a fucking party & invite everyone to hang laundry & those whom believe i am out of my mind & crude & rude for being concerned with saving money & the environment, well, i'd hope & pray they all fall down & have a stroke

it aint just poor ppl who hang out their wash

Cosmo

I dry my panties on a 60 foot flagpole in my front yard.