# Fishtown: Neighbors Feeling a Change For The Better

Fishtown has been in a constant state of flux since the neighborhood became less centered on industry following a mass exodus of factories in the 1960s. Lifetime residents of the neighborhood have seen an incredible amount of change in their lifetimes as new families have moved into the neighborhood steadily. [![Neighbors in line for food at the Meet The Neighbors event](https://phillyn-media.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/25225442/photo-34-300x225.jpg)](https://phillyn-media.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/25225442/photo-34.jpg)Neighbors in line for food at the Meet The Neighbors event At times, [gentrification](https://foreverfishtown.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/tension-caused-by-gentrification-in-fishtown-is-a-choice/) is as simple as an old home being torn down for an [expensive condominium](https://www.memphisflats.net/) or an abandoned factory cleared out for arts space. The conflict has been muted and relegated largely to dirty looks, but some neighbors are beginning to see the tensions between lifers and new residents diminish. Gathering recently for the annual Meet the Neighbors event hosted by the [Fishtown Neighbors Association](https://fishtown.org/) at the Fishtown Garden Center, area residents new and old met for food and entertainment but more importantly, a chance to communicate with each other on how the neighborhood can be made better. https://vimeo.com/99065566 *- Text, images, and video by Kevin Stairiker.*