Jem and scout live in the 1930's just before and during the Great Depression. This effect of the time period plays a tremendous role on the characters.
Maycomb, Alabama Jem and Scout live in a small town called Maycomb. Where the grass grows on the sidewalks, the people have no where to go, and it's hotter than a black dog in the summer.
Jem and Scouts house, "We lived on the main residential street in town..."(lee,6). The two siblings live in a small house with a kitchen and three bedrooms, and a backyard with a tree standing tall. A perfect home for a small family.
The Radley place. "The house was low, was once white with a deep front porch and green shutters, but had long ago darkened to the slate grey yard around it."(lee,10). The town was scared of Mr.Radley, for if even a ball landed in his yard, it was gone forever!