Community Chat

[SunValley]

I love my neighborhood. We would best be described as good mailbox friends. We all know each other and are friendly while outside or getting our mail at the central mailbox. I could ask any of them to pick up a package if I was out of town and didn't want things left at the front door. No one has been overbearing or nosy. People are kind. For example, my driveway is always shoveled so I have at least a clear pathway to the door by one neighbor, and on trash days whoever is home will return the empty trash cans to the garage door. My next-door neighbors have gotten groceries for me when I had the flu. But no one assumes this means we all have to be besties or socialize. We are neighborly but private. Perfect for me.

As for the OP concerns, I would suggest meeting the neighbors once for coffee in a local coffee shop. A neutral location takes the pressure off from a return invite and it's easier to disengage.

[CalminHeart]

I just retired and would love to have friendly neighbors.  We don't have to be BFFs but it'd be nice to occasionally chat or hang out on the deck.

[bri20]

Maybe the OP feels the neighbors are keeping track of people coming and going, which is kind of creepy.

Just walk by their window and don't look in - keep your head down or wear sunglasses.  They'll get the message that you wish to keep to yourself.

[SaRina]

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@truffle wrote:

Pdlinda states it is when she leaves that she feels uncomfortable as she might look, as it is in her view.  Pdlinda, when you leave just wear your sunglasses then no one will know if you are looking or not.  Do whatever comes natural under the circumstances and if that means look then look, they will not know.  It's not your fault that the window is right there and if they were concerned about a peeper they'd close their blinds or curtains.  

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You know, I've been puzzled this entire thread about the physical situation regarding shades drawn, not drawn, seeing into kitchen, not seeing into kitchen...... and I finally figured it out before coming to @truffle's post, lol.  

The OP isn't talking about seeing her neighbors through her kitchen window -- she is able to see into her neighbors' kitchen window after she has walked out of her home.  ......  In which case, I was going to suggest exactly as above -- wear sunglasses so they don't know if you are glancing their way. This way, you won't feel uncomfortable.

[bri20]

The OP keeps her blinds closed so people cannot look in.

The OP's new neighbors keep their blinds open.  That is what is causing the problem. 

[SaRina]

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@bri20 wrote:

The OP keeps her blinds closed so people cannot look in.

The OP's new neighbors keep their blinds open.  That is what is causing the problem. 

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@That's what I thought @bri20, but if the OP keeps her blinds closed, then what exactly is the problem?  What does she see with blinds closed?

[bri20]

@SaRina, the OP said there is a walkway between their apartments.

I am assuming that when she leaves her apartment, she walks past the new neighbor's apartment.  They keep their blinds open so anybody walking by can see into their apartment.

The OP keeps her blinds shut, so nobody can see into her apartment and she can't see out. 

[SaRina]

Oh, yes @bri20.  We agree. I misinterpreted your earlier post and thought you meant looking from her kitchen window.  No problem. :-)

[bri20]

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@SaRina wrote:

@Oh, yes @bri20.  We agree. I misinterpreted your earlier post and thought you meant looking from her kitchen window.  No problem. :-)

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I got the impression that it's when the OP walks by that she can see into their window. 

It may be she can see into their apartment from her kitchen window too; but since she keeps those blinds closed, it's not an issue.

[aproudmom]

People, please read it all before replying.  She is not having an issue when she is home.  It is when she has to walk past the window area.  If the window is at eye level and in your view, I would wave so they know you can see in.  If you just walk by, that would almost be like ignoring them if they are right there.  I would rather know my neighbors.

Not to worry you, but I would get an alarm if you feel they are watching you.