We all have our own definition of how life should be lived – some people can’t stand a speck of dust while others don’t mind a little clutter here-and-there. To each their own. Well, the list below is a compilation of nine folks that live in a world of their own and have us ALL questioning, Can You Believe People Live Like That!?
The Collyer Brothers
When it comes to people living in absurd conditions, the infamous Collyer Brothers from New York City are certainly the All-Stars of Slop. Widely known as the most notable hoarders in history, the full depth of their condition was discovered when police responded to a complaint of a foul smell emanating from their apartment – when the police finally managed to break in, they discovered 103 tons of garbage, consisting of human organs pickled in jars, 14 pianos, decades of newspapers, the chassis of an old car and much much more. The smell, however, wasn’t from the piles of refuse; it was the decomposing bodies of the brothers that had died as a result of literally being trapped in the trash.
The Russian Cat Woman
While some city laws in the U.S. prohibit pet owners from owning 4 or more pets, this crazy cat lady in Russia shatters that cap and raises the bar substantially. Yep, for the love of the feline, this eccentric pet lover hosts over 130 cats in her small apartment – kitty chaos!
City of the Dead
There is a place called Varanasi, better known as the City of the Dead, that the Hindus consider one of the holiest cities in all of India. According to their beliefs, it is an honor to die within the city’s limits because it allows the soul to escape the cycle of reincarnation. That said, most of the bodies are cremated so the air constantly smells of burning flesh – those that are not cremated, are simply weighted down and thrown in the river to rest in a watery grave. Imagine living in a city where you’re surrounded by death in the form of burning flesh in the air and rotting bodies in the water!
Meth Lab Montage
When people say, “Don’t do drugs,” they need to emphasize, “especially not Meth!” Not only does Meth cause your body to eat itself form the inside out and age exponentially, but also the putrid living conditions of a Meth lab are second to none. Eventually, the lab envelopes the entire living space and surrounds the operators in chemicals, grime, tubes and an immanent fire hazard – not to mention, the addicts tend to ignore general maintenance of the home in place of their Meth fix.
While the Russian Cat Lady from above was living with over 130 cats, it at least appeared that she had things under control. This individual however was busted for living with 114 cats and 14 dogs in absolutely atrocious living conditions – so deplorable in fact, that when police entered the home, they found hoards of garbage, feces and over 20 pets that were already dead and in an advanced state of decomposition.
Trash Piles in Indonesia
While many of us live in suburban America with plumbing and carpeted floors, there are many around the world that have it far worse – living in conditions that we would consider out of the question. For example, there are folks in Indonesia that live in the trash piles surrounding the city and rummage through the piles as a means of income. Can you imagine sifting through trash as your day job, only to sleep in the same pile as your home?
Clevelanders
Considering it tops everyone’s list for worst places to live in the United States, one would have to ask Clevelanders, How do you live like that? Widely known as the Mistake by the Lake, Cleveland, OH has a dark history of crummy conditions: In 1969 the Cuyahoga River caught fire because of the overwhelming pollution, in 1978 it became the first U.S. city to default on its debts since the great depression and not to mention it’s miserable weather, high unemployment, high taxes and a long-standing curse on all of its professional sports teams.
Judy the Junk Collector
Here is another prime example of a hoarder that has filled her home to the brim with junk that she has convinced herself has value. Somewhere between the debt and the garbage that she has accumulated, she’s a shining example of folks that make us wonder, Can you believe people live like that!?
Full House
OK, Danny Tanner might be the biggest clean freak on the planet but when you’re asking yourself, How do people live like that?, you have to look to Full House for some inspiration. Think about it; 1 widower in everyone else’s business, 1 uncle in a rock band that hosts band practice at their SF row house, 1 lonely aspiring comedian, 1 teenage girl, 1 middle child, 1 infant, an annoying neighbor with no tact, an ad agency being run out of the basement and one full family with twins living in the attic. If this were a real American family, it wouldn’t work.
