We were in your position 9 years ago. Friday and Saturday nights, you could listen for the gunshots and then the sirens shortly thereafter.

Do whatever you have to do to get out. Redefine your concept of "decent neighborhood." Look at properties further out - they will cost less. Go through all your "stuff" and unload anything you don't need at flea markets or ebay - you'll be surprised how much money you have sitting around.

This is not a seller's market, and your type of area won't sell fast or high anyway. Try to find a realtor that specializes in your neighborhoods - he or she will have more contacts to buyers and to financers who are used to those conditions.

It took us more than six months to sell ours, and we just managed to get out of it without losing money.

We had gotten to the point where we figured that even if we lost some money, it still would have been better than renting.