Good Neighbors

Being and having good neighbors are important, both literally and metaphorically.  We are fortunate to have far more good neighbors than not, which directly contributes to enjoying our lives.  What, one might ask, defines being a good neighbor?

As I look at it, being a good neighbor is a combination of multiple factors.  Being ready and willing to assist, while concurrently not being intrusive and respecting the privacy of others. 

For example, a neighbor on one side is nosy, liberal in her complaints about all manner of things, intrusive to the point of entering our property without approval to “borrow” things, determined to tell us how we should act, unconcerned about her yapping dogs, comfortable demanding to enter our house to look at recently completed remodeling, and unwilling to share financial responsibility for the fence between our properties that her vegetation caused to be irreparably damaged (we ended up assuming all the costs for replacing the fence).   She also complained to us about trees in another neighbor’s property that encroached on her view, seeking that we do something about it.  (Our solution to the trees was reaching an agreement with the other neighbor whereby we pay a little twice a year to have the trees trimmed.)  All in all, her nosiness and demanding, intrusive nature are severely off putting.

On the other side, our neighbors are friendly, non-intrusive, and willing to work with their neighbors.  When the joint fence on that side of the property needed repairs, in part due to work during an upgrade to our house, I paid for some of the lumber and working with my neighbor, we joined forces to repair the fence.  These neighbors routinely schedule a neighborhood progressive dinner and stop to chat with folks.  Across the street are neighbors that stand ready to help out.  For example, one day I had a tire with a leak.  While standing there bemoaning this fact, one of the neighbors came across with an air tank and we pumped up the tire, enabling me to get to a shop to have it repaired.  He and his wife also host an annual New Year’s soiree, which is a staple in the ‘hood.  The other neighbors across the street are the salt of the earth, always there with a laugh, a story, and the willingness to help out.  A great family, we’ve watched their sons grow into men and have enjoyed the occasional BBQ around the pool.  Many a Saturday we have stood around talking about all manner of things, sharing good laughs, and updating one another on the families.

There aren't any reliable methods for screening the neighbors in an area in which you might want to purchase a home, so it is somewhat the luck of the draw.  Looking at it, we consider ourselves very fortunate that only one neighbor is a pain and the others are so grand.  These are the folks that make it a pleasure to live here.  Waving, assisting one another, smiling in passing, joking around, and doing so while also respecting one another’s privacy contribute to the positive feel on our block.  (It is interesting that there never seems to be anyone chatting with the one objectionable neighbor.  In fact, another neighbor from the next block came by one day, incensed that our nosy neighbor doesn’t control the yapping of her two small dogs.)  Having such neighbors directly contributes to the enjoyment in our lives.

This is so important in the grander scheme of things as well.  The world would be a far better place if everyone stood ready and willing to assist, while concurrently not being intrusive and respecting the privacy of others.  Alas, far too many folks and elements of our government are bad neighbors.