Speaking of Neighbors....

QueenDanceALot · ‎04-18-2013

Recently new people moved in next door where a grumpy old guy used to live. He and I got along fine as I just avoided him. hahaha Other than being grumpy and VERY opinionated on everything from how people should keep their houses and who I should vote for (oy) he was a good neighbor.

The new people are a 30 something trio - a guy, his sister and a guy roommate. I've met the guy (the home owner) and the roommate but not the sister. I was going to say "hi" to her one day when I was out in my backyard and she opened her door to let their dog out (I love dogs!!) but she just looked at me and shut the door. Okay, she doesn't have to be friendly or say "hi". I'm a private person and don't get into the neighbors' space or faces.

But speaking of space, they have a vehicle each and a large driveway enough for 3 or even 4 cars (depending on size) and space enough for 2 large vehicles at the curb in front of the house.

For awhile they were parking in front of my house when there was plenty of space at their house to park which was pretty annoying. And when they weren't parking in front of my house, their visitors were (even when there was plenty of space at their house). I told some friends of mine about it and they found a couple of traffic cones and, as a joke, set them up in front of my house. We had a good laugh and I just decided to leave them there. I started to feel kind of stupid leaving them there (and they're not exactly pretty either) and one morning when I was leaving the house I picked up one and stuck it in my garage. When I got home, their visitor parked in front of my house right in front of my walk. *Sigh* So I put the cone back. Again, I felt kind of stupid but it's really bugging me that these people can't park at their house where there is plenty of space.

Would this bother you? It annoys me that it actually annoys me but no one else in the neighborhood seems to have this issue. We all seem to respect the space in front of the others' homes where the homeowners like to park themselves or would like their friends and family to park when they visit. It's all private homes, not like living in the city where you just park where you can find a spot. And everyone understands people having a party or something and that's fine. But just clogging up the front of someone else's house with your cars when there is ample room at your house?

I took the cones away and decided that if this keeps happening I will have to just either accept it OR go over to the neighbor and ask that they park at their house.

And I hate having to do that.

Waaaaaa

bonnielu · ‎03-11-2010

We were the first house in our immediate area. We are on a cul de sac which I chose because we had four daughters and did not want to have an active street in front of our house. We basically live rural in a very nice mountain top neighborhood. Originally all the neighbors were the same age, young kids and everyone got along. As some retired and moved we have a change over... younger people opposed to the rest of us seniors. And the quiet has been disrupted. No real cars in front of our homes, but families with motorcycles and times during the day when they repair cars, loudly. In other words noisy lot of newcomers. Other than say something, or move out which I refuse to do, I hold out hope that I I can adjust to it. My point --- It happens to all of us. We were lucky to have 45 years oif peace.

Vivian · ‎03-11-2010

It sounds like they don't know how to be neighborly. I'd avoid them if at all possible. My nearest neighbor has a pet cow, pet sheep, a large parrot, and a cat. We live in a residential neighborhood but our neighbor apparently would like to treat it like a farm. She just got a bunch of chickens who chase after people walking their dogs. My beagle goes nuts with all the barnyard sound effects...and smells. Apparently an old zoning ordinance forbidding these "pets" expired. Who knew that we'd have to worry about farm animals in the suburbs?

bonnielu · ‎03-11-2010

@Vivian Florimond wrote:
It sounds like they don't know how to be neighborly. I'd avoid them if at all possible. My nearest neighbor has a pet cow, pet sheep, a large parrot, and a cat. We live in a residential neighborhood but our neighbor apparently would like to treat it like a farm. She just got a bunch of chickens who chase after people walking their dogs. My beagle goes nuts with all the barnyard sound effects...and smells. Apparently an old zoning ordinance forbidding these "pets" expired. Who knew that we'd have to worry about farm animals in the suburbs?

Even with ordinances people break the rules. Not supposed to conduct business in a garage... not the case. Not supposed to have more than 2 dogs or 2 cats. not the case. No one around to fix it even if there is a complaint.

On new neighbor got permission to build a structure which was in forbidden space because of water flow. Another neighbor parks an Rv.. it is forbidden also.

Lilysmom · ‎03-09-2010

@Vivian, the farm animals, especially the loose chickens, would drive me crazy! LM

MimiLouise · ‎06-22-2010

I too have this problem... several years ago a new neighbor moved in next door. Was out working in my yard when the neighbor came out ... i started to spreak and she just turned her head and went on about her business... needless to say we have yet met. Same issue with parking in front of my house when having company or her kids over for the weekends ususally.... and if its not her its my neighbor across the streets company who park in front of my house.... usually just a weekend thing so i let it go.....and yes i get aggravated. I like your cone idea, but mine would probably be stolen.

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

Where someone parks in the street doesn't bother me. My next door neighbors have a double driveway and 3 cars. One of the cars is always in the street, in front of our house. It doesn't bother me at all. It's a public street and I don't own the space in front of my house so even if it did bother me, there's really nothing I can do about it.

We also have a double driveway and 3 cars but all our cars are in the driveway so it's not like I need those spots in front of my house.

dex · ‎03-09-2010

I always try to find a way to get along with the neighbors..just makes life easier.I would try to get some conversation going with them when they are outside and after a time ask them if they would ask their friends to park in front of their house.I try to not sweat the small stuff though so as long as they didn't block my driveway or park on my lawn then I would just let it go.

mistriTsquirrel · ‎07-17-2010

That happens all the time here. Same cars every time. The thing that bothers me about it is that I have to put my trash bins out somewhere, and we have those toter bins that are picked up by a mechanism on the truck, so there has to be enough clearance around the bins on garbage day. And it makes it harder to mow, because they park close to the curb and I'm always afraid I'll ding the vehicle or mow over an unseen rock and the rock will fly into their car and I'll be liable for the damage. ::sigh::

It was even worse when I had these really trashy neighbors on one side. There is a space between the two driveways that isn't big enough for parking (unless you're driving a Smart Car). But they--and their visitors--would park there anyway. Even when they weren't blocking my driveway, it was still aggravating to navigate around such a closely-parked vehicle. One day, I was shoveling snow at the end of my driveway, and a visitor arrived. He angled his car in such a way that it was clear he was trying to back into the non-spot. He just sat there, waiting for me to leave the end of my own driveway, so that he could block it with the rear end of his car. I couldn't believe it. I stayed there, continuing to shovel. A female got out of the car, and I heard her say "well, I guess you'll just have to park somewhere else." D*** right you'll have to park somewhere else, you inconsiderate dummy!! If someone is standing in their driveway, and they would have to move in order for you to park, your parking spot is not a legitimate parking spot! Grrr.

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