I feel like it's less likely these days because not living in the same place for decades, houses having back but not front porches, etc..

My wife and I live in a subdivision and outside of a neighborly wave or "how are you," no one really talks to anyone.

What about you folks?

[No]
3

Yes
0

[Edited on August 11, 2014 at 12:16 PM. Reason : .]

8/11/2014 12:09:53 PM

nope

8/11/2014 12:14:35 PM

Negative GhostRider

8/11/2014 12:15:38 PM

It took us a little while, but we have pretty good and various neighborly relations.

We live in a "transition" neighborhood, so it makes it a little interesting (although the neighborhood is almost full transitioned right now). We've got some old ghetto/poor neighbors that we give all of our old/used shit to. We know them all by name and will stop and have short conversations with them while walking or dog or when we walk to bars/restaurants.

We have a really cool guy that lives across the street from us (Neighbor Dave), who is fun as shit to drink and hang out with. He's in his late thirties, single, and played lacrosse at UNC. We'll go to beer festivals and local shows together.

We have a married couple diagonally across the street from us that we've had dinner with a few times. They have two kids, so we don't "go out" with them (although my wife had a "ladies night" out with the wife once), just go over there for dinner or have them over for a few drinks. We also have watched their pets a couple times (two dogs and a cat).

We have a couple post-college girls that live next to us. We were happy they moved in, because the prior neighbors were a 15-member family with a big time drug dealer. Someone bought the house and renovated it, so anybody new was definitely going to be a plus. We tried to hang out with the girls a couple times, but they act like they're still freshmen in college doing beer olympics and playing drinking games all the time. It was fun for a while, but I like to black out by my own choice...not because I keep getting fucked over by their stupid drinking game rules.

So overall...I like my neighbors and have pretty good "interactions" with them.

8/11/2014 12:18:36 PM

I know everyone immediately adjacent to me. One of my neighbors just quit smoking after 49 years .

8/11/2014 12:19:58 PM

Ya, we've only been at our place for about seven or eight months, so that could be part of it. A lot of the folks seem older than us (mid 30s with kids or approaching retirement), but if we're home, then we're spending time with each other and if we're out it's only for a quick jog or to mow the lawn.

[No]
4
Yes
2

[Edited on August 11, 2014 at 12:22 PM. Reason : .]

[Edited on August 11, 2014 at 12:22 PM. Reason : .]

8/11/2014 12:22:28 PM

I just moved in to a new place...so right now the answer is No. But I've spoken with a couple and introduced myself. I don't expect to be having any talks like Wilson from Home Improvement though.

8/11/2014 12:22:33 PM

there's 3 other people on my floor, 2 of which i've never ever seen (but i know someone lives there) and the other is some old couple who have 2 horribly untrained dogs.

the only one i ever see and exchange hellos with on a regular basis is this thin attractive mid 30's woman on the floor below who always has 2-3 dudes over at her place on the weekends.

8/11/2014 12:34:51 PM

Out of about 20 homes in my neighborhood, I have regular contact with 3 neighbors, semi-frequent contact with 1, infrequent contact with 3, occasional contact with 8, and no contact with the remaining 5.

8/11/2014 12:46:45 PM

We live in a society where the same person will thoughtlessly disclose more personal detail to strangers than at any point in history through social media, yet at the same time will actively avoid face-to-face personal interaction with neighbors.

Yes, I am talking to you, person with the photo of you eating cake with your second cousin on the internet for all to see, yet who runs from your neighbor everytime you go out to pick up your mail. Just because I stand in your bushes at night shouldn't dissuade you from at least saying hi. God knows I stare at your facebook photo albums enough for you to at least wave once in a while.

8/11/2014 12:49:14 PM

I have lived in my house (in nice neighborhood, not urban but not suburban - we have deep set front lawns, but our houses are only about a driveway's width apart) for almost 3 years. I have had approximately 0 conversations with any of our neighbors. I will wave or smile when I cross paths with them (which is rare), but I couldn't pick any of them out of a lineup if you paid me. granted, both sides are renters and I think they've come and gone quite a bit, but I've also become pretty anti-social in my old age, and pretty averse to small talk with almost everyone. it's weird, and I blame the internets.

8/11/2014 12:51:30 PM

We are friendly with our neighbors directly across the street (an older couple), cordial to the two diagonal across the street as well. The neighbor directly to my right is a grumpy old dick and has called the city because my grass was too long (I had been out of town a couple weeks) and done other passive-aggressive shit as well. The house to my left was an old man who recently died but he was cool too.

All in all, we have pretty friendly relations with close neighbors and a few others who are outside alot in the neighborhood as well although it is mostly due to my wife who is a social butterfly. We have lived in this house for about 10 years too, which definitely helps.

8/11/2014 12:53:01 PM

I'm not big on small talk. I wave and hi, and every now&then I try to have a brief conversation.

[Edited on August 11, 2014 at 12:53 PM. Reason : ]

8/11/2014 12:53:05 PM

But seriously, I end all my conversations with my neighbors (particularly with the married females) with the gratuitous, "Don't worry, you know where I live" (wink). I think it is an important part of maintaining a sense of community.

8/11/2014 12:55:29 PM

I introduced myself to our closest neighbors when we moved in, but that's the only time we've ever talked. We see them and wave every once in a while, but that's about it. The neighbors on our other side, I never actually see them. I see their cars gone sometimes, but I think I have only ever seen them once.

We know two other families in our neighborhood. One texts me when they need something, which is the extent of our relationship. The other we met through a mutual friend and will invite over if we have something going on.

8/11/2014 1:08:52 PM

I drink with my social neighbors weekly.

We make fun of you anti-socials.

8/11/2014 1:09:40 PM

No.

8/11/2014 1:16:45 PM

Neighbors across the street are great. I've talked with the people that live next to them several times. People on one side of us are ok, I've waved and had to run through their yard chasing a cat but haven't had conversations with them. Other house next to us is for sale. Anyone want to be our cool childfree neighbors? I've been trying to find a gay couple that likes to throw amazing parties to buy the place, but I might have to lower my expectations.

8/11/2014 1:23:54 PM

I'm the 2nd of a group of 5 houses at the end of my street.

My neighbors directly to my left are a pretty cool, laid back coupe in their mid to upper 40s. I used to chat/hang out in the yard with them. I say USED to because 1 1/2 yrs ago they got a puppy. A puppy they never trained very well that barks at every. goddamn. thing. it. sees and hears. To help "keep her busy and entertained" a year later they got another dog, same breed (and puppy). Thankfully this dog doesn't bark (much) but this one lunges at you constantly. So I more or less don't talk/hang out with them anymore, because if I do one is constantly barking at me and both are jumping lunging at me. Meanwhile my dog just looks at their dogs like they're retarded and then usually ignores them.

Neighbors directly to my right are great, a coupe in the late 20s with a small young beagle. Hang out with them more often and we occasionally dog sit for one another.

Neighbors 2 houses down to the right are the stereotypical neighbors that everyone hates. A strange family that keeps to themselves and doesn't lift a finger to maintain the yard. Don't kill weeds, don't trim, don't cut the grass. Also they have like 5-6 different cars and I'm pretty sure there's 9-10 people living there (3 bdrm house). We're currently at war with them via the HOA to get their yard maintained.

3 doors down is the (infamous to TWW) tikihut girl. She's super friendly and we hang out from time to time at the pool or downtown.

4 doors down are a few guys finishing out their time at NCSU. House is owned by their parents and I think they're all going into the military upon graduation.

I know a lot of other people in my neighborhood and drink with them at the pool, grill out, etc. But none of them live within 1/4 mile of my house (large development).

8/11/2014 1:25:24 PM

Wife and I (35, 39) moved back in November to new home (demo and rebuild) in an older neighborhood in Charlotte.

We live on the socio-economic fault line in our neighborhood. The house to the left is a couple in their mid 30s w/ one child. The house to the right looks like there's a meth lab in it.

No bullshit- the day we closed, the lady who owns the shithole house came by to introduce herself. She owns the house, but doesn't live there. It looks like shit. Trees growing into the side of the house, weeds overgrown. It's a fucking eyesore.

She asked that if things "got bad" to call her, not the city. She said some other neighbors complained that her house is a nuisance. I was a bit taken back with her request. Please don't call the city, call me if my shithole home has an issue... WTF???

My builder tried to buy her property for $100k and she said no way- she could get more $$$. They laughed at her and told her good luck.

Two houses down is a community house where the cops have been called a few times.

The only neighbors to introduce themselves to us when we moved in was the couple right beside us. We've had drinks/dinner a few times.

But what really gets me is that no other neighbor came by to introduce when we moved it. I thought that being the new ones coming in, people would come by, but I guess not.

8/11/2014 1:32:40 PM

I wish my neighbors were coupes

They're all sedans.

[Edited on August 11, 2014 at 1:36 PM. Reason : .]

8/11/2014 1:35:55 PM

^^Are you in Wesley Heights??


it's almost full on avoidance in my neighborhood. It's a condo neighborhood and there is a decent amount of turnover. Of the 6 units on my side I've been there the longest at this point but I only really speak to one of my neighbors, a girl who's usually out walking her dog when I am heading off to work. In fact I fixed her bike last week and that's the most neighborly interaction i've had there in 3 years.

i don't expect block party levels of friendliness, but growing up in a neighborhood that had block parties and a lot of social events between neighbors, it's weird to see so many people around my age that try their hardest to avoid any kind of interaction.

8/11/2014 2:03:21 PM

^^I'm just imagining a crazy sitcom involving transformers.

"If you're so good at transforming, why don't you make yourself into a goddamn mower and cut that lawn, Optimus!"

[Edited on August 11, 2014 at 2:05 PM. Reason : prime]

8/11/2014 2:05:43 PM

One neighbor is really nice, but seems to have a very busy social life. The other neighbors just built a house right next to ours. I've talked with the a couple of times, but now it's basically just waves and pleasantries. I don't think they like that my dogs barks at them because he doesn't think they belong there. I'm ready to move somewhere that has an actual yard and not houses 10 feet apart.

8/11/2014 2:08:21 PM

@Jeepin4x4

Hell nah! Cotswold.

8/11/2014 2:09:27 PM

ah ok... I've got some friends that live off of Craig Ave. over that way. I'm in Elizabeth near Laurel.

8/11/2014 2:12:26 PM

I've hung out with the neighbors at 3/5 places I've lived and the other two were just not feasible. I don't see why you wouldn't talk to your neighbors. My parents were also HUGE on being neighborly growing up, so maybe it rubbed off on me.

8/11/2014 2:18:02 PM

i do when i see them but i hardly see them

they are some indoor loving folk

8/11/2014 2:36:28 PM

not too much. the new neighbor I've talked to a bit but everyone else that's been around me for many years I don't really chat with or keep up with.

8/11/2014 2:42:10 PM

i only talk at length with a neighbor who we knew very well (ie. core group of friends) before she bought a house in our neighborhood

i have had conversations (ie. something more than just "hello") with several others, but i wouldn't invite them to a party

8/11/2014 2:43:14 PM

yes - very social neighborhood

8/11/2014 3:01:32 PM

Unfortunately, no, other than waves and hellos. Unless you count the time a little kid from somewhere brought over a random plate of chicken and rice and then ran off. My boyfriend gave it to his friend and said he cooked it.

8/11/2014 3:11:25 PM

My wife wanted to do a yard party or something after we first moved in, but whenever we plan something like that, we tend to invite our Triangle friends and not neighbors.

8/11/2014 3:12:35 PM

Live on a cul-de-sac in North Durham -

We talk to our immediate neighbors on the right of us. They're really nice. We wave when we see each other. [Yes]

To the left of us is a retired couple with a crazy cat lady (seriously has like 4-5 outdoor cats). We've talked to them once in the year we've been here. [No]

Next to them is another family, with a kid who just turned college aged and 2-3 older kids who come by on weekends. They're nice, we wave at them and will talk to them. [Yes]

Next to them and directly across from us is a guy. Can't tell if he's married or not, people come by to visit but dunno if they're family or what. Never waves. Lights always on, yard hardly maintained. Kinda weird. [No]

Couple other neighbors down the street that we talk to and that we're good friends with.

Mostly on at least "waving" terms with the neighbors with a few exceptions.

8/11/2014 3:13:07 PM

In my old neighborhood I did all the time, but it was college townhouses.

Where I live now I really only know one neighbor and its just because he goes out of his way to know everyone.

8/11/2014 3:23:20 PM

Quote :

"I wish my neighbors were coupes They're all sedans. [Edited on August 11, 2014 at 1:36 PM. Reason : .]"

Whoops!

8/11/2014 3:44:40 PM

There are 3 vet school students in the house next to my boyfriend and I. A few weeks after we moved in, they threw a party. At first I tried to ignore it (I was home alone watching a movie), but it was pretty loud. Instead of getting ornery, I invited myself over. I was a total creeper about it too - I got dressed then waited by the door until I saw a car pull up. I walked outside as a couple was walking by and said something to them like "Hey! I just moved in and I'm crashing this party. Can you point out my neighbors?" We all walked in together and they pointed out the one girl who lives there. I shook her hand and said "Hey, I'm your neighbor. I'm here to party. I brought wine" and pulled a bottle out of my bag. She introduced me to the two guys who live there, then I texted my bf about everything and he came over to the party when he got home. We hung out with them for a bit and haven't interacted with them since. 8 months later and they haven't thrown another party.

8/11/2014 3:52:27 PM

^ so what you are saying is you ended up airtight by night's end

8/11/2014 3:57:44 PM

begonias, that's amazing.

8/11/2014 5:31:57 PM

we interact with one set of neighbors pretty often. we'll do dinners/cookouts together, i've been dove hunting with him, he gave me a ride to pick up my wife's car from the shop the other day, he borrows some tools/equipment from time to time, i helped him out with his well pump by cleaning the sand out of the pressure switch. we're actually pretty good friends i guess

all the other neighbors i just wave at and speak to occasionally. we'll discuss neighborhood and/or home ownership type stuff.

8/11/2014 5:39:48 PM

Yep. We didn't talk to many of our neighbors after moving into the neighborhood, but after having kids we ended up with more situations to get to know them.

We know the neighbors on both sides of our house and across the street. Three of those include teenagers who babysit for us. Its awesome to have a sitter that close. We've met the family behind us, but neither of us has made an effort to get to know each other.

We're also good friends with a big family down the street. Most of the kids in that house are in their 20s and are big partiers, as are there parents. Its no uncommon when the weather's nice to see an entire group in the half-circle drinking and playing games. Now that we've gotten to know them we can just wander down with a 6 pack, and join in.

Also, once you have kids and have to weigh the costs of going out (sitter costs, date money, curfew, etc.) it starts to become a lot more appealing to get drunk with the neighbors since you can put your brood to bed and carry a baby monitor next door to party.

8/11/2014 5:42:39 PM

My Chapel Hill townhome neighbors to the left are from Jersey and we say hi but I'm getting irritated with their dogs shitting everywhere in my backyard and them not cleaning it up, plus they park horribly. The neighbors to the right are from the Bronx and are extremely friendly and courteous.

8/11/2014 5:48:39 PM

I have about three neighbors outside of the immediate area that just don't spend any time at all outside, I wave at them when I see them drive by or something.

Everyone else I talk to, hang out, all the cetera.

8/11/2014 6:10:15 PM

I speak with 2/5 of my closest neighbors

With my immediate neighbor (40's couple with 3 boys), we'll send dishes and desserts over every once in a while. When we're feeling trigger-happy, we'll ride out to my in-laws' land for some shooting. He and his wife gave us a bunch of baby stuff (jumparoo, stroller, car seat, etc) for $free

With the other neighbor, I guess I wouldn't hesitate to do the dishes and range-time thing with them, but having to walk across the street to their house changes the whole dynamic I used to call them "Swingers' Club" because the wife likes to strut her stuff

Other immediate neighbor just moved out. They seemed nice but seemed pretty busy with their son's Legends and Late Modifieds racing career. Our little 0.25 acre lots couldn't accommodate all their gear and trailers.

Other neighbor across the street are the usual loud, obnoxious, oblivious type. They're lucky if they get a wave (from anyone).

8/11/2014 6:55:21 PM

late models or modifieds? never heard of a late modified.

8/11/2014 7:01:40 PM

Quote :

"^ so what you are saying is you ended up airtight by night's end"

FACT

with the female neighbor doing her share too ifyouknowwhatiamsaying

8/11/2014 7:07:03 PM

late model, my bad

[Edited on August 11, 2014 at 8:16 PM. Reason : "seemed nice but seemed pretty busy" wtf]

8/11/2014 8:16:05 PM

^^

Quote :

"WARNING: NOT SERIOUS"

8/11/2014 8:25:14 PM

i like the point you brought up about having back porches but not front porches. people are way more private nowadays. i think it's a negative thing for the most part.

8/11/2014 11:46:30 PM

I live in an apartment, but I try to be cordial with all of my neighbors. There are some who have lived where they live for years so I know them fairly well and am always nice and friendly. Others who are newer--well I still try to say hello and be nice. I think there's some unwritten rule where you'll kind of look out for each other if somebody comes by at night to snoop around cars or something.

8/12/2014 12:18:39 AM