Childhood Memories Transition Into The Economic Downfall
By Meagan Jordan
14 May 2009
What city do you live in? What neighborhood?
These photos are from Lexington, KY... around the Gardenside area
What are some adjectives that describe your neighborhood?
Gardenside consists of a very low income, poor neighborhood, down the street it consists of older retired aged couples, and then there are the younger middle-class families that live near or around the elementary school. Not too many interesting things really go on, but plenty of people commuting through the neighborhood.
How long have you lived there, and what brought you there?
I lived in the Gardenside area from birth until I was around the age of 19. My parents became legally separated while still living together when I was around 20 years old when I was off at college in Savannah, GA. My parents had a company together, had a stable good life, helped my brother and I out financially however they could, but their unhappiness started to show through and they fell apart just like the economy downfall effected parts of the neighborhood. Now, being 2 years later after their separation, they are still going through their divorce and strive everyday to keep my brother and I close to them.
What is your favorite thing about this place? Your least favorite?
I love that Gardenside holds so many of my childhood, pre-teen, and teenage memories. I love that it still looks so similar to how it used to, how it never seems to change besides the few places that the economy has brought down. I hate that when I pass my old house I know someone lives their now that doesn't it appreciate it as much I still do.
Do you feel that you belong there?
I feel that my childhood is stuck there, but I no longer belong in that neighborhood.
What is the most common misconception about where you live?
Most people I went to highschool wouldn't know the area that well, so they assumed when I said I lived in Gardenside that meant I live in the lower income area. The lower income area that is near the YWCA is on the opposite side of the neighborhood, its split up in so many different sections. So, really most people I went to high school with that didn't live in or around that area thought it was ghetto area.
What is a special fact about your city that you have to live there to know?
I believe it is the horse capital.
What aspect of your city do you secretly love?
I love that I can be in the country in less than 10 minutes if I'm feeling like I need to be around nature, or I am in the city in the same amount of time if I need to be around a ton of people.
