Monday, April 13, 2009

Do you get along with your neighbors?

Here's a big question...do you get along with your neighbors? Do you even know your neighbors?

How do you think people should handle problems with neighbors in the Village? Should they talk to their neighbors? Should they just send a complaint to the Covenants Committee...call the police?

Do you have any real life examples of what's worked or maybe what's not worked?

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

My only complaint about my neighbors is that sometimes I can hear them come into their unit and walk up the stairs. Seriously, when its late, please take off your shoes. Its like dorm living here in sometimes. There's not enough insulation between the walls.

If I had a real problem though I would talk to my neighbor and if it wasn't resolved make a complaint to the covenants committee. The neighbor is better off hearing it from you and trying to resolve it then getting AV involved.

Anonymous said...

I once had a neighbor that left their dogs home all day. They would bark ALL DAY long. I never complained but the neighbor on the other side eventually said something. The dog owner had no idea that the dogs were barking all day long. They ended up bringing them to doggy day care not just because of the complaint but because they cared about the dogs as well. The moral to the story is don't assume your neighbors know they are bothering you.

As for the covenants committee, I'd much rather someone say something to me than get a note from AV.

Anonymous said...

I had two neighbors (renters) that were noisy -- tv, stereo, wi. I told them directly and very politely, but it didn't seem to phase them much. They were renters, so I told them I would have no choice but to file a complaint with the covenants committee. before any action could be taken, they got up and moved. Needless to say, this has not been an issue with the current renters next to me. I think people just need to be aware that the walls are thin and there is little privacy between units, and it's just a matter of respecting your neighbors.

Anonymous said...

My neighbor likes to complain about me and another unit in our row but refuses to say anything to our face. It's frustrating because I try to be a good neighbor but how long do you let someone bad mouth you with no real complaints. Some people just like to be miserable.

Anonymous said...

I have awesome, respectful neighbors. I'm almost too afraid to move given that I've had it so good here....

Anonymous said...

There's definetly a difference between "renters" and "owners" regarding who has the most disregard toward their neighbors well-being.

Owners are more respectful of the rules while renters, for the most part, are out for themselves.

It's the difference between ownership and here today, gone tomorrow.

I'm lucky, my neighbors are great, and they're all owners.

Anonymous said...

There is also a difference between those who are "considerate" and those who are "selfish."

men and women, Idiots and intelligent, too.

I'm not sure that it is so easy as "renters" and "owners."

Were it so, the solution would be to disallow "owners" to rent.

Anonymous said...

I have good neighbors - and I really don't know if they own or rent.

Anonymous said...

The owners rent because they could no longer deal with the renters...

Anonymous said...

Syntax aside, you're an economist, right? Logician?

Anonymous said...

We do all know that we live in Arlington, Virginia right? sTEN minutes from Washington D.C? One of the largest cities in the country? Where most people are transplants from other parts of the country, RIGHT? With that said.. it's a BLESSING to find other neighbors (whether renters or owners) that get along... and are actually able to bring a community sense to the neighborhood. As in life, there will ALWAYS be someone who, due to their own experiences (not being invited to prom perhaps?), dissapointments, what have you... want to squash whatever togetherness they might find. It's not just here.. It's everywhere.

To those people... If you want solitude and quiet... Join a Monastery. (Except, You might find there as well.. people who also WANT to be friendly and get along.)

Let me end by saying...

Ever hear "If you point your finger at someone.. there are THREE fingers pointed BACK AT YOU?" Maybe this is a time to look at YOURSELF and how your unhappiness might be the cause of your distain for your neighbors...

Anonymous said...

Anonymous, above, is exactly right in this case. Not only a refreshing post, but one that is spot-on. Kudos to you, dear poster, please don't be a stranger to this board.

Anonymous said...

Direct communication is always best, but some people just don't understand what being considerate to your neighbor means. I like to be direct, and if it doesn't result in anything, it's time to break out the heavy artillery. The largest group of jerks like this are some dog owners. Most of you are great, but it's the inconsiderate ones that spoil it all. Put your dog on the friggin leash, and obey the rules...or move out. Why anyone thinks putting a large dog in the small units we have is a good idea is beyond me. Your dog is out of control because you don't care enough about it to put it in the proper home, or to get it properly trained. I always have to laugh at the owners who think animals understand speech.

Anonymous said...

You must be a cat person...

"Many people won't even consider a large dog if they live in a small space or if they don't have a very big yard. Parents are often wary of large dogs, especially if they have children under the age of five. If you research some of the large breeds of dogs you may discover that they fit your lifestyle better than you think. Here are a few large dog breeds you may want to consider if you have limited space. Saint Bernards...In this case, looks can definitely be deceiving. These dogs are very gentle and friendly. They are great for families as they are extremely tolerant and patient... On average, full grown Saint Bernards will weigh between 110 and 200 pounds.

They are very intelligent and easier to train than many large dogs as they are very eager to please their masters...Saint Bernards also make good watchdogs. Their size alone is often a deterrent to would-be intruders.

Saint Bernards should do well in an apartment as they are relatively inactive and laid back indoors. A small yard is sufficient as long as they get to go for a walk a few times a week."

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/326549/consider_a_large_dog_for_your_small_pg2.html?cat=53

Size and space have nothing to do with a dog's ability to thrive and be happy - it has to do with lifestyle matching and an owner willing to provide the appropriate amount of exercise. Most dogs, when indoors will nest; that is, try and get their bodies into the smallest spaces they can.

Idiot.

Concerned22204 said...

Call the police because you don't get along with your neighbor? Isn't that like calling the police because McDonalds ran out of McNuggets?

BIG DOG said...

You're right. My 90 lb. dog nests in the knee hole of a desk. It's so cute. And he sleeps there all day.

Anonymous said...

Great that YOUR breed of dog is trainable, and that you do that...it's those that don't that are the 'problem'. Before you get into name-calling, read someones entire post. My ire is with irresponsible owners who are oblivious to that fact (and I guess now with illiterates). Probably 90% of the dog owners in AV are responsible owners who obey all the rules and care enough about their pets to take them on walks (with leashes), not let them run wild all over. Gotta love it when you criticize irresponsible dog owners, and they fire back assuming you own another type of animal. Maybe I should let my snake roam free in the yard and see how your dog likes running up on my porch then? There are repeated cases of 'harmless' dogs attacking people, so I hope your dog isn't the one off it's leash and charging me while I'm training, as I'll not feel any regret for macing it.

I think I'll just install a webcam and send the photos to the covenants committee. Like I said, you try direct communication, and when it falls on deaf ears, I'll escalate it baby!

Anonymous said...

Does the non-regretting, web-cam operating-while-in-training, macer-girl have any neighbors?

Thanks for the laugh. Back to your training, now.

Anonymous said...

We had a neighbor that was crazy and would bang on our walls if we made the slightest sound, by accident, in the morning. I guess 7 am is too early for her on a workday?
Every Wednesday she would have a dinner party and play loud music until midnight. And sounded like she had dance parties also it was so loud.
She also had construction projects going on at 8 am on Saturday mornings. Right next to our bedroom. How convenient.
She told us to be quiet after 10 pm but failed to mention the rules didn't apply to her.
After a night in the emergency room and getting home at 2 pm she stopped us outside our apt in the morning and told us we were being too loud. Didn't even blink when we apologized and told her the reason we were up so late. Nice neighbor.
She stole things off our back porch when we were moving. I saw her another day on our back porch while we were at home. Find anything good back there? Trespassing much? Stealing much?

We didn't need another crazy mother as a neighbor, we already have two of those. And we moved away from them for a reason.

Do renters not have a voice in the matter at all? I think we handled the situation better than the owner... by living with it.

Anonymous said...

*2am.

CUPCAKE said...

Who says dogs don't understand English?

Anonymous said...

yes, I have good neighbors.

I do wish that all dog owners would obey the leash laws. The bad apples are spoiling it for the responsible dog owners. There's a poorly trained dog near me who is always off leash. When it charged at me, growling, I said something to the bleached-blondie owner. I said hello to her one day and she ignored me. Twit. And no I don't think it has anything to do with the size of the dog.