There have been lots of cool things about moving from an apartment to a house – but the hands down most surprising thing has been our neighbours.
We’ve done some home improvements since moving in:
- New windows/patio doors
- New coat of paint
that aren’t going to change the world, but they look like there’s a lot going on from outside. And our neighbours’ response has been to repeatedly threaten to sue us.
The conversations that have taken place since then have been terse. Teeth grind as a hello squeezes out. Eyes are cast low and shoulders are squared all around.
They’re older than us, but they’re in their early fifties, not their eighties. They have a young son. They seemed normal at first! I was so excited to like them – their son “helped” us pull out bushes in our front yard with his mom laughing and chatting in the background. And then one month later they started saying all kinds of crazy things about how our house is about to fall over, how it isn’t to code, and how as a favour to us they’re taking pictures of our home so we’ll have records of the damage we’re doing.
Taking pictures of our house.
Don’t let all the mushy wedding talk fool you – I’ve got blunt bangs and big eyes, but if you want a fight? I will fight you. I’m adventurous and feisty as hell, and no one threatens my home, my mister, or me.
They harassed our painters and threatened us about the fence we spoke about building, saying what we wanted to do was illegal and that would call the police. So we called the gas and power companies, had them literally draw out the property & service lines, and give us our “go ahead” paperwork that the neighbours said would be impossible to get. And we got it within four days of that conversation.
In response to the service people walking into their yard and tracing the lines from their house, our neighbours have installed a webcam in their front window, presumably to have record of when we come into their yard – which we don’t. But it escalates the crazy of the situation. The complication is that part of our back yard is shared, so the crazy people have access to our house, yard, and puppies if they’re outside. Wholly unacceptable.
Last night? We got the call, and our builder is going to go ahead with building the fence for us this week – starting with the front section that the neighbours think is illegal to remove.
Before the winter we’re going to have closed off the side of our yard that we share, we’ll have a sliding fence and parking pad, and a real honest to goodness dog run so the boys can be out in the winter – safely. We’re going to be adding about 50 sq. ft. to our yard with this project, just by moving the backyard fence back – it’s going to be a dream in the summer. I want a garden, fucking right now!!!
It’s going to be amazing, and it’ll be the wrapping up of all the big projects on the house that we had hoped to take on in the first year – all finished in the first three months!
But in the mean time, before these projects are amazing? It’s going to be out and out war.
I’ll keep you posted!
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve got blunt bangs and big eyes, but if you want a fight? I will fight you.
This is the best statement of the week! The Crazies are going to have to find someone else to mess with soon. Hopefully they are just hazing you and things will calm down in the spring. In the meantime, good luck!
I’m so so sorry – this sounds awful.
The worst our neighbors do is shout expletives at their children. (Their children being 8-16 years old. Oy.)
(Oh! And they filed a complaint to the city against their other neighbors for building a fence and ruining the community. Because their boys couldn’t go in their backyard anymore. It’s crazzzy.)
why are people so miserable? I don’t understand it! It sounds like you are only doing things that would improve the value of your property and in turn, theirs. Hopefully they will get the stick out of their you-know-what and realize what great people you are, with only the best intentions. Good luck!
Wow–that’s even creepier than any of my creepy neighbor stories. A webcam?! Paranoid much? I’m glad that this doesn’t seem to be hampering your enthusiasm for your projects! They sound amazing.
I think that you yelling “This is Sparta!” would be a good first thing for them to catch on the web cam.
Oh MY! these people would totally make me want to hide. Have youa asked them what changed to make them all the sudden hate you? They sounds like some seriuosly insufferable twats. I hope it gets better, but something tells me it may have to get worse first. YAY fences!
Let me know if you need backup. I will totally make my first Canadian appearance to tell these people off.
Holy cow, Kyla!
Why is part of your yard shared with them? Is that a courtesy?
I don’t know why but for some reason I love reading about the crazy neighbors! Probably because I think it’s awesome how patient you two are and how you always win!
Alright KBea… You need me to come down there and whack some foo’s? Because I will. You’re only five minutes away. :)
I love how people go off on things they obviously have no idea about. I’m serious when I say I’d love to see the digs though. :) Whenever you’ve got time. I leave on the 3rd so maybe coffee before then?
Oh crud, these people sound like absolute nightmares :(
Holy crap! I wasnt around for when they threatened to sue you, I just went back and read that. WOW! Anal much? AND FOR NO GOOD REASON! We had a neighbor like this when we were little. We used to throw pennies ino his yard and see which of the five of us(brother, sisters and I) could go find it before he cam out and yelled at us. A good clean family fun.
Anyway…Im getting distracted, your neighbor…ew. Quell Nightmare!
That’s crazy! It sounds like they’re not willing to give you a break on any front. Well, I’d just like to see their faces when they try to borrow a cup of sugar.
Holy crap–your neighbors sound insane! I’m sorry! But at least your house will be super fab when you’re done w/all the work and then they can be jealous and grumpy instead of just grumpy :P
just because you’re young and cute people think they know better and can walk all over you. good luck! give ‘em hell!
Your telling of stories about the crazy neighbors make me laugh.
I can totally understand how some people see the fencing off of yards as a threat to the ‘wide open spaces’ look that some enjoy, but beyond anything else I HATE when people profusely lie (like telling you it’s illegal/impossible) to try to trick you into getting their way. So infuriating!
Definitely sounds like they’re trying to take advantage of you guys being so much younger than them.
just because you’re young and cute people think they know better and can walk all over you. good luck! give ‘em hell!
Oh my gosh they are insane!
Your yard is going to be awesome though in the end. It will be worth all their craziness :)
I absolutely cannot STAND people like this. I have encountered many similar people over the years and I’m just like you- fun on the outside but if you want to fight? Let’s GO.
That’s seriously the most absurd thing ever. I’m known to speak in hyperbole, but it’s totally *still* absurd. I wish you luck on your war.
Wow! Crazy neighbors!
This ain’t no Mr. Roger’s neighborhood :) I’ve had my share of kooky neighbors so I totally empathize. But these neighbors take the cake! Good luck.
I hate people like this. I will bring my stick and belt and wail on these people US of A style. you let me know.
Gah. I hate crazy neighbors. Our neighbors aren’t that intense…they prefer the passive aggressive approach. We indicated that we would be getting a new fence this summer since the old fence was rotten and had been poorly cared for by the previous owners. Our neighbors always managed to work into our conversations that they don’t like privacy fences, or chain-link, or this kind or that kind of fence. Sheesh. We now have a beautiful aluminum fence. They are concerned because it’s so “different” from everything else in the neighborhood. Oy!
KBea– Just as a PS)
I just had this HILARIOUS image of you standing in cavewoman furs in your front lawn with a spear in your hand, looking out onto the street… Yelling…
“THIS… IS…. KYYYYYYYYLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
Then charging into your neighbours yard…
I read your comment on chelseatalksmack about baggage and I just wanted to say that it was comforting in a way, to learn that someone else out there has the same “baggage” as me.
To you, who’s choosing to keep a more positive image, thank you.
Damn, girl! Get ‘em! Honestly, the first post about your crazy neighbors always had me worried, and I hope they move or stay out of your life!!
Good grief, and good luck with that! Some people are just strange, it always makes me wonder what made them that way.
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