Too many neighbors crowding the block

I live on a once-quiet cul-de-sac. As I write, there are 11 cars and trucks parked on our street all belonging to one household. This is the west San Fernando Valley, supposedly away from the hustle and bustle of the city, suburbia at its finest. Homes on our block run in the $750,000 range.

Our neighbors have turned our street into a commercial venture with a gardening business as well as a boarding house/motel. Each morning as the boarders leave, some of whom work for the business, others arrive and park all day while they go out to their various assignments.

After a hard day’s work, on selected afternoons and nights, they crack open a couple of cases and enjoy a few cold ones in the frontyard.

The American dream can still be achieved even at these outlandish real estate prices in Southern California if one is creative.

Just get 15 or 20 people together, pool your money, find a broker and a lender and a hybrid loan, and there you go. Homeownership with a twist. Calabasas here I come.

EDWIN H. TUCKER

West Hills