Where the Sun Breezes Don't Stop Shining

Student Writings from Lare Training Center

Chelsea, Massachusetts

Student 1

In June 1990 me and my husband started to think about buying a house. Because the house where we lived the landlord raised the rent $100 twice. He was a cousin of my husband. That made my husband upset. He started to talk to real estate agents.

At that time we didn't have a big problem with money. I had a good job, took home $400, sometime I made $500 if I worked Sat. or Sun. My husband had two good jobs, too. That time I had saved up for the down payment. I was planning to buy a house. I had only two kids.

My husband checked just seven houses before he made a decision. He bought this one we live in Dorchester because the price was good, the yard for the kids and the parking. I don't like the house and it has plenty of problems. The real estate agent didn't explain the problems. The roof leaks, the water heater burned up and the neighborhood isn't good.

It's not a bad house. We have a lot of space for the three kids and their stuff. But I don't feel happy. I want to move somewhere there are nice yards. Brockton looks very nice.

Student 2

I would like to have my own house. If I have the opportunity to buy one it has to be with a yard, so I can plant many trees especially fruit trees; also I would like the house with windows. In the first floor I build a kitchen, bathroom and a living room. My idea about the two-family is to put my kids on the top when they get big.

In Chelsea all the houses have the same construction. In my country you can have different kinds of houses. Where the rich people live, in Newton, for example, I like the houses. I don't want to buy an old house, because then I have to spend more to fix it up. It doesn't have to be new, but not too old.

Here to buy a house is a big business. I mean investment in a house is something serious. If you don't pay, they take it back.

We are making plans to buy a house. Someone said we have to buy in Chelsea, because the city hall will give a loan. My wife went to classes where they explain everything. I don't understand it yet.

I think Fannie Mae is a special program where the government lends money for low income people. I think you need 5% of the price of the house for the down payment. I'm not sure about this. I know you have to qualify your income. It can't be too high or too low.

Student 3

Two years ago we looked for a house to buy. We looked at newpaper, asked the realtor and some friends. We looked at houses in Dorchester and Mattapan.

When we saw the house on Temple Street in Mattapan we liked it. We looked at everything, inside, outside, down in basement. The realtor said $65,000. We went home thinking. My husband likes it because it has parking lot for 6 cars and another side have yard. He will plant vegetables or flowers. One week later we came back talk to realtor. He said he had one person asking that house, too. If we want to buy it you must pay $65,000, no discount. I said "oh, no!"  But my husband told me you can't found another house look like it. We made the paper with the bank for loan money.

My house have two family. We live on second floor. The first floor rented with one Vietnamese family. On second floor we have one big bed room, one small bed room, living room, dining room, family room, the kitchen room and one bath room. Before moved in my husband fixed two more bed rooms on the deck.

Now my kids they like that house very much. They don't want to move. I hope we live there forever or when my husband has to move to another state for his job. I like to live in Boston with my own house. This summer we plant more flowers. Now looking very nice around my house. I dream later when I save money I will give make new kitchen and bath room, build the stairs to make easy for my kids go up and down.

Student 4

Two years ago we were gratify to move to our own house. The house is bigger than apartment we lived before. After moved we need set up everything and a lot of work wait for us.

One month later the grass grew up around our house. At that time we called the gardner to cut the grass. It was expensive price we paid. So we decided to buy a lawn mow machine. In the spring and summer time we need to cut grass, plant plants and take care flowers. In fall season we need to sweep the leaves. In winter time we have to shovel snow. We bought many tools at home. Before we bought house we don't need to do these work, but we like work hard at home.

LARE Training Center, Chelsea, MA.    Evening ESL Program for Adults

Teacher's notes: The evening ESL class is mixed level from beginner through intermediate. The first languages are Cambodian, Haitian Creole, Spanish and Vietnamese. Many of the students are younger, in their twenties, though some are in their 30's and 40's. All are employed. Most do not own houses.

Updated August 27, 1997 by David J. Rosen