Neighbors-Friend or Foe

You hit the nail right on the head! It use to be that you could rely on your neighbors for just about anything. I remember when I was little we use to go a couple doors down to help the little lady (very old) pick the pears off her tree so she could eat them and bake. She would let us have as many as we want and was so happy when we did this. If someone needed a ride, we would take them. When it snowed really bad, we ALL were out helping each other with their driveways and sidewalks. We would bake or cook for one another and bring it over to share. Many, many things have changed over the years and it's very sad.....Like you said, most are nothing but horror stories and very few help each other out today. This doesn't help our children to learn either, so things will probably just get worse.

*sigh* What you say is true. Some how we have gotten so frightened of one another, that we can not even reach out to each other in friendship and support. Even when I was growing up, the whole neighborhood took responsibility for the young ones out playing and kept an eye out for them. In my neighborhood we have a couple of homes that if the Boys basket ball rolls in the yard, they are screaming out the door. Instead of befriending theses young people who might actually be helpful to them, they treat them as criminals and look at them like they are out to commit some kind of crime if they turn their backs on them. We are talking about good well mannered children not hoodlums. If they would give the boys half a chance and get to know them they would see this. But god forbid one of them step on to a precious well manicured yard. Even my cat who will sometimes make a dash for the out doors when the door is left open is scolded and tried to be trapped. all of this makes being friendly and neighborly im possible.

When we moved in the house across from us was empty. To our right we got along with them but they have now moved out because they got divorced. On our left is an elderly couple. We get along with them well. They are like another set of grandparents to our kids. They even keep chocolate chip cookies in stock for them. We have also got new neighbors across the street but we haven't talked to them yet. They kind of seem like they want to keep to themselves.

We live in apartments and have lots of neighbors but we keep to ourselves. It's not to be rude or anything but I just don't like being involved with neighbors b/c if there is a problem later...you can't get away from them unless you move. **AT PEACE WITHIN** ~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~

We get along with our neighbors very well. Our neighbors across the street are very friendly and the husband helps us out with odd jobs around our house. He will come over and ask if we need help if he sees us doing something. The neighbors on the right of us are very nice too. My husband is trying to get the son a scholarship to college next year. On the left side they are friendly but a little odd. The husband is retired and seems to know about everything that happens in our yard. He also knows A LOT about all the dogs that live around us. A little strange but they're nice.

We live on a small court with only four houses. One family we talk with a maybe once a month or more. One family keeps to themselves but the wife is friendly if she is outside. The son is rather strange in that "maybe he'll grow up to be a serial killer" kind of way. The other family is a problem. They call the police or report neighbors to city hall on false charges all the time. We all just try to avoid and ignore that family. We like our court but kinda wish that guy would move.

I lve in a small town so I know all my neighbors. We all help each other out. There are five houses being lived in at this time so you can see it is tiny, not just small. I have known one of the people since I was pre-teen. The other family I have known for over forty years. The other two houses are lived in by my family. We all watch out after other. If we know someone is gone , we do question if someone goes to their place. I like my community and can't imagine at this point and time of living some place else. I just moved back here after here after not living here for over 38 years.

I have only just come over from a Pacific Island and the population of the Main Is is about 60,000 and we have the same problems.Before we knew who lived where,but know,the original landowners have immigrated overseas.Their place have been taken by distant relatives from the outlaying Islands.They arrive with a different perspective on life altogether.This is the cause of most of todays problems in the Islands.

It does seem to be a different world we live in these days compared to when our parents and grandparents were young. I do know a few of my neighbors, and we still have a few that are more foe than friend. There are about 26 houses on our street and I would say that about half of them I truly trust and treasure their friendships. The other half are people who just step outside to get in their car or mow their lawn, they don't say hello or anything, so I am kind of leary of those people, you just never know what to do or say. In the small town that I grew up in, my dad's family had always lived there, and we knew everyone. There was not a single person in that town that we could not trust, and we all watched out for each other. Sometimes it would be nice if things were that way again in the world, but I am afraid it won't be that way anymore-too much crime, and too much hatred in the world today.

At present, I rarely do get to talk with my neighbors. When I was young, I used to go around the subdivision and visit our neighbors. Everyone knows everyone in our subdivision while I was young. But then all of our friends went on their separate ways. Now that I live in a different subdivision, my neighbors are a bit stuffy and unfriendly. My neighbors seem to busy with their lives to even take time in talking with their neighbors. So, it is difficult for me to talk to them or engage them in a conversation. :)

I lived in a small community, so I know all my neighbors. They are reliable if you need them. They always help neighbors who needs help.

we talked to them 5 years back and then on they moved on.so the next one is ok here.very lonely and they dont mingle becos her hubby stays in the USA.so all their kids dont go out.the opp one also changed and he climbs the car from his gate.so i cudnt even see his face.the back one isnt of much help either.very stupid of me to say all this here.

i really don't speak to my neighbors because i don't like no one in my business. once you give them an inch they take a mile.

I guess it may depend where you live. I live in a city. I know who my neighbors are I think I could reconize them by face but as for all their names and what they do no. I think people are wary especially in a city to talk to people they don't know. I do have to say having a do though people are alot more into talking to you. I know pretty luch everyone in my neighborhood thru my dog. I think since dogs are so social all the dog people seem to find themselves.

I think it depends on where you live. I have lived in an apartment quite often over the years and while you can make friends with your neighbors, it's sometimes hard to keep in touch when they move. At one point, we rented a duplex in a nice neighborhood. Since we were there for several years, it was easier to know about your neighbors and make friends with them as they didn't move as often as people in apartments.

I wish I knew my neighbors better. We just bought a house in a new city and I dont know anyone yet. The neighbors right beside us introduced themselves after a couple of weeks and they seem really nice. At our old apartment everyone knew everyone and it was really great. At our second apartment, everyone stayed to themselves. I hope at our house we'll start to get to know people in the neighborhood.

We live out in the country , so our houses are not close together like in town. I really like my neighbors. We watch out for each other all the time. Just last week my neighbor went out of town and asked me to keep an eye out for the house. It was not a big deal as I can see the house from my house. I was just making sure that no one went there. She came over yesterday with a box of candy for me since I did this for her:) Two other neighbors have kids so I will let them come to my house before school and get on the bus with my kids so the parents can get to work on time. I have borrowed sugar and eggs from neighbors. We share things from our gardens. We are always there for each other. This is what neighbors should be like.

I know what you mean. It's kinda scary because most of the time you never know who your neighbor is. I always try to make a point to get to know my neighbors. I live in an apartment, so I feel like I have too. Which has proved to be great. My neighbors right now are the best I"ve ever had. Everyone on my block knows each other and knows each others kids. It's nice to know that if I go inside to get a drink, my neighbor is there to keep an eye on my daughter.