Share address, skip reason for moving

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We moved from our home of seven years when the bank would not renegotiate our mortgage and chose to foreclose. As is common, there was a substantial shortfall (several million).

The house ended up selling for 10 percent less than we paid for it, and 40 percent less than our basis after improvements. We may be able to avoid bankruptcy, but it is not clear at this time. Perhaps this is too much information, but it helps you better understand our situation.

One of our neighbors who was aware of the situation called me and said he …

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We moved from our home of seven years when the bank would not renegotiate our mortgage and chose to foreclose. As is common, there was a substantial shortfall (several million).

The house ended up selling for 10 percent less than we paid for it, and 40 percent less than our basis after improvements. We may be able to avoid bankruptcy, but it is not clear at this time. Perhaps this is too much information, but it helps you better understand our situation.

One of our neighbors who was aware of the situation called me and said he was sorry for our misfortune. His call was greatly appreciated. I’m sure the other neighbors were aware as well, but never said anything. Actually, I think we were probably the talk of the neighborhood.

Nevertheless, should I notify our other neighbors of our new address, mentioning that our personal circumstances have changed, or just move on?

GENTLE READER: Having literally moved on, you can easily move on socially; no explanation is necessary. But Miss Manners is dismayed at the implication that you were on cordial terms with the neighbors you left behind, but now believe that they are gossiping unsympathetically about your plight.

It was kind of one person to commiserate, but others might feel that it would be intrusive to acknowledge that they know about your financial plight – if, indeed, they do. In either case, your moving away without a word would seem as if you were the one to cut them off, not they, you.

It would be graceful to assume the best of them and send your new address. But please leave out the part about your personal circumstances. That is only asking for gossip, and the misinterpretation that you are expecting them to give you more than sympathy.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.