topic Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors in Community Chat

Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

luvmyteddy4 — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 06:15:37 GMT

Four different houses all around me. I am going crazy. I am homebound and sick with no family or friends to help out.

I have all these new neighbors and it is not quiet anymore.

house 1 - 3 dogs that bark when they leave and their windows are open. Leave their trash cans out in front 24/7 which is illegal.

house 2 - a cat that roams all over and the guy has illegal pipes on his SUV. Extremely loud, he comes and goes all the time and warms his truck up for 30 minutes this winter. Sounds like a motorcycle in my bedroom. They park where I have trouble getting out of my driveway and I have talked to him and his GF.

house 3 - renters just moved in with 2 cars and frequent guests that park anywhere they want to. I think they park everywhere but their own house, I don't get it. Already heard them fighting a bunch. They park next door to their house and in front of mine which messes up the people that actually live there. 2 more new dogs that bark when they leave too.

house 4 - the house next door just sold and a father bought this house for his single daughter. Maybe she will be quiet but who knows, I am expecting the worse.

Most of these people do not mow their yards very often and I hate strange cars parked in front of my house and on the grass. I have had to call 911 a few times in the recent years and it would be nice if they could park in front of my house if I need them.

I have lived here 30 years and the neighbors seem to sell every 4 years or so. Big turnover. I have tried to be friendly but they don't seem to care.

I can't move and maybe because I am home all the time it's starting to get to me. This is a pretty nice neighborhood or use to be.

Any opinions or suggestions? I called the city and I can complain and file complaints but would it really do any good. I don't want to be the crazy neighbor that everyone hates but I can't stand all the inconsideration. I just want peace and quiet. Would this bother anyone else?

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

4Kicks — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 06:27:15 GMT

If you are absolutely certain you cannot move (do you own or rent?), I would suggest shades and earplugs and turning your television up. Or getting headphones for your television or stereo. It sounds to me like your neighborhood has changed a lot from what it used to be. I am sorry for the situation you are in, but if you must stay developing a tolerance for it and blocking as much of it out as you can is the best advice I can give you.

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

tansy — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 06:29:56 GMT

I live in a community with an HOA. Many people don't like this kind of community but we no longer have problems like you described. No real advice for you:/

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

tansy — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 06:31:08 GMT

Oh, I would try a white noise machine though. Google Lectrofan.

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

ROMARY — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 06:35:52 GMT

Hoping and praying that your new next door neighbor is a very nice person. That will help a lot because she just might feel the same as you, and perhaps she will be able to encourage folks to be more considerate, etc. Lots of good luck to you, and let us know if your new neighbor next door is a nice, considerate person.

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

ROMARY — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 06:40:27 GMT

Are there any community services where folks can come in and check on you, perhaps take you to their center for an hour or two each day? Some type of services could be available. Also, maybe a social worker or someone can try to help bring more peace and quiet into your neighborhood. If you need medical help, I'm certain that someone from a community agency can help by sending a nurse out to see you, etc. Just thinking of options.

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

Deb1010again — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 06:55:28 GMT

I am so sorry you are homebound, have to listen to all that krap and have no family/friends to help out. You are totally right to feel the way you do based on your description of the neighbors and their violations. I tend to agree with 4KICKS that unfortunately (and unfairly) you probably are the one who will have to adjust. It doesn't sound like your neighbors are willing to compromise. You might try talking to them again, one by one. Or you can keep calling the cops to come out on a case by case basis and quiet them down.

It really does s.uck when a neighborhood goes downhill. That happened in a neighborhood DH and I lived in once. We had ladies of the night hanging out near the fence of our apartment complex. Luckily we now own a house and we have plenty of space between us and our neighbors and it's a good neighborhood (knock-on-wood).

Good luck and I hope things get better.

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

Kachina624 — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 08:04:29 GMT

I think you're going to have to live and let live. Most of your complaints are minor and petty. Most people are active, have friend and lives to live. As long as it's a public street w/o a no parking zone, people can park where they wish. Dogs bark...if they become excessive barkers you can call the police or animal control. Young men often have loud cars; hopefully they're going away when you hear them.

There has to be some tolerance on your part. Sounds like this is just a normal neighborhood with active people. Be careful that you don't get the reputation of being a fuss budget and trouble-maker. These people are "normal"; it's you who is abnormally quiet and sedate.

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

Lindsays Grandma — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 09:19:37 GMT

On 8/11/2014 kachina624 said:
I think you're going to have to live and let live. Most of your complaints are minor and petty. Most people are active, have friend and lives to live. As long as it's a public street w/o a no parking zone, people can park where they wish. Dogs bark...if they become excessive barkers you can call the police or animal control. Young men often have loud cars; hopefully they're going away when you hear them.

There has to be some tolerance on your part. Sounds like this is just a normal neighborhood with active people. Be careful that you don't get the reputation of being a fuss budget and trouble-maker. These people are "normal"; it's you who is abnormally quiet and sedate.

I think she has every right to be unhappy with inconsiderate neighbors. and I wouldn't call this just a normal neighborhood. People cannot park where they wish and cars that have been fitted with illegal parts that make them loud are just that, illegal and it doesn't matter if the owner is young or old. Calling the poster abnormally quiet and sedate is rude and uncalled for and unfair.

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

Big Sister — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 09:31:18 GMT

What you are having to endure is horrible. I am so sorry you can't have peace and quiet in your own home. That's the one place where we should enjoy serenity.

Call the city and see what their advice is.

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

ID2 — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 10:48:40 GMT

On 8/11/2014 kachina624 said:
I think you're going to have to live and let live. Most of your complaints are minor and petty. Most people are active, have friend and lives to live. As long as it's a public street w/o a no parking zone, people can park where they wish. Dogs bark...if they become excessive barkers you can call the police or animal control. Young men often have loud cars; hopefully they're going away when you hear them.

There has to be some tolerance on your part. Sounds like this is just a normal neighborhood with active people. Be careful that you don't get the reputation of being a fuss budget and trouble-maker. These people are "normal"; it's you who is abnormally quiet and sedate.

Absolutely! It seems like the OP sounds a bit envious of everyone around her having such a full, active life and she doesn't feel good. Hope she feels better and starts to enjoy life soon!

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

151949 — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 12:57:32 GMT

As much as i get disgusted over our HOA - any of the problems you mentioned would not happen because of the HOA. When we lived in Pa we had neighbors on both sides of us that had barking dogs. It was like barking (yapping) in stereo all day long. Eventually, the one couple moved and the dog on the other side died - but we put up with that for 20 years. We had a dog but never allowed the barking. Here at the campground we had new neighbors that have 3 yapping puppies. 24/7. We asked the owner to do something about it and she did not so 8 of us together all went to the campground owner - she moved those workers off our hillside to another section - now those puppies are pestering someone else.

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

stilltamn8r — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:04:16 GMT

First course of action..talk to them ALL, they may not even know they are annoying you.I think youdon't want to becuae in your heart, you know you are just being overly cranky about certain things...

#1 you really don't have much of a case except perhaps the trash cans- which are not noisy, are they? Perhaps that family should give away their beloved pets?

#2a roaming cat..Well,when I was growing up, NO ONE had indoor cat, they all roamed...now its a crime? Is it an "attack" cat that somehow bothers you? Horror, he warms up his "loud" truck in the morning..is it a diesel? What exactly ARE "illegal pipes" I sell trucks for a living and not sure what you mean, muffler? Since you spoke with them, have they continued to "block" your driveway?

#3, TWO whole CARS??? wow..the nerve- Frequent guests? Perhaps they are nice friendly folks- they park on a public street? Shame on them.. Someday, you may need an ambulance, and this will mess everything up if you do? do you know how ridiculous that sounds? Believe me an ambulance will find a place to park on a residential street in an emergency..

#4 hasn't even HAPPENED yet..but you are already thinking the worst..

I think when you read your list over again, you will find that you have very normal neighbors and certainly they could be worse!

Sorry you feel trapped, but there are agencies that can help you relocate if you are really serious...But the "devil" you don't know, may be worse than the one you do..

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

apple1964 — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:33:35 GMT

O/P you do not know what horrible neighbors are! We had some that threw garbage into our backyard pool. Would call and have pizza delivered to our home .. barking dogs and kids up and running around at all hours of the day and night. We moved away from the neighborhood and from these people. The neighborhood was starting to change for the worst. Which was the best thing we ever did for our sanity and for our children. Have you thought about moving perhaps to a adult community. I would consider that if I were you and you would be with people your own age and no kids. And no loud music and kids in cars! Just saying!

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

ivanatrump — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:42:36 GMT

A similar thing happened to my parent's neighborhood. The 35 year homes were now the most affordable ones in the area. Some were bought as rental properties, others sold to younger families. The town never enforced the garbage on the curb rules and noise laws were lenient. It was a public street so there was no law about parking in front of another house.

They eventually bit the bullet and moved.

OP, there is not a lot you can do. The more you complain, the worse it usually becomes.

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

~moxie~ — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:50:25 GMT

Can you afford to get double paned windows. You would be surprised at how good they keep the noise out. If you can't do the whole house maybe do your bedroom and maybe the front room. You have lived there 30 years maybe redoing the insulation? I know your pain with barking dogs and car noises but having double paned windows has reduced the noise to a minimum. I have a park across From my home and on the weekends cars park there and each see who can make the most noise through their speakers, that I can hear. So I go out on my front porch with my cell phone and pretend I am talking to the police while staring at the.cars and a few minutes later no noise. Also you should go to the police station and find out what ordinances they have . Most cities have noise ordinances. My town has a ordinance that they will go out once and if they have to go back the fine is huge.

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

Financialgrl — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 14:05:27 GMT

Have lived in the burbs, now I live in the country. In the burbs, I've seen others have the same issues you have. However, looking over your list, only thing I see that someone may do something about is mowing the yard. When I lived in the burbs there was code enforcement - they actually did very little but not cutting the grass was one thing they would enforce. A neighbor would not cut their grass and the county would send out someone to do it for them - and charge a premium to do so. Supposedly they didn't pay that either and when they finally sold their house, there was a huge lien owed the county so in the end they did pay.

You have two choices, move to a HOA community or move in the middle of nowhere. I will be 60 early next year but because I hate the issues that come with homes being on top of each other, I refi'd this house and took the money I save each month, put it into an account and I now pay someone to do anything I don't want to do or no longer am able - all yardwork, snow removal, clean out the rain gutters, etc.

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

KathyPet — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 14:06:33 GMT

It does sound like your neighborhood is changing and that you want the new neighbors to live the way you want them to live. probably not going to happen and unless you want to be known as the "crabby old lady" you will need to,either adjust or move. If the neighbors dogs bark all day while they are gone the neighbors might not be aware of it. You could tell them nicely and ask them to close their windows so the sound won't carry as much. leaving their trash cans out and parking issues are not anything you can do anything about UNLESS they are blocking access to your property. You say you can't move but don't say why.

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

issiestorm — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 15:16:18 GMT

Pardon my ignorance, but what is an HOA?

I live in a community with a lot of barking dogs. I have one myself but she doesn't bark nearly as much as the others. It doesn't bother me and half the time I don't even hear it because I'm so used to it. I tend not to let things like neighborhood noise bother me. Like another poster said, live and let live.

Re: Could Really Use Some Opinions/Suggestions On A Bunch Of New Neighbors

4Kicks — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 15:26:59 GMT

On 8/11/2014 Issiestorm said:
Pardon my ignorance, but what is an HOA?

I live in a community with a lot of barking dogs. I have one myself but she doesn't bark nearly as much as the others. It doesn't bother me and half the time I don't even hear it because I'm so used to it. I tend not to let things like neighborhood noise bother me. Like another poster said, live and let live.

Home Owner's Association