How to deal with neighbours?

piratefairy

Yes I agree, having lived in my flat for a little over a year now, I have seen all other neighbours on my floor (3 other doors) in the hall etc, and say hi etc, but nothing more..I'm thinking of having a drinks eve or somehting with some friends soon, and may invite one as she's about our age, but not sure how to go about it either as it feels i may have left it too late after moving in..

Bogof_Babe

erichamster wrote: »

I actually think when you live in flats you are actually much less likely to talk to/know your neighbours. It seems silly because you live so much closer to the people but maybe its something to do with people being more likely to move etc from flats, rather than settle for a long time?

Or maybe when you live closer together people are more inclined to not come across as too nosey or intrusive? That is certainly how it seems in our flats anyway.

I think perhaps people are maybe more possessive of what privacy they do have, due to being forced to live in such close proximity to others, complete with noise nuisance, shared landings etc.

The bloke next door has been crashing his furniture around all afternoon and it's really getting on my nerves now!

Mips

I seriously would not even bother asking them anything, exchange pleasantries if you pass on the landing or something... but having nice quiet neighbours who don't speak to you is great :j

Fluffi

amalis wrote: »

Hi all,
as a new houseowner I am a bit confused about how to communicate with my new neighbours? We just bought an apartment in a house where there is one more flat (ours is ground floor, their is first floor). Since we moved we did not have any contact with our new neighbours which is weird for me because we live in same building. We obviously have a lot of question to ask them. So what should I do? I my previous flat when we moved, it was the neighbour who was living there came and invited us for a bottle of wine. What are the rules in this case?

Really - what sort of questions? (I'm not being rude - I just can't imagine needing to ask my neighbours about anything)

I have to admit I fall into the category of person that has no real interest in knowing my neighbours. I wouldn't be best pleased if one randomly turned up at the door wanting to be invited in - especially if I hadn't tidied up first or I was busy/sleeping. I don't mind chatting to people if I see them outside but only if I thought I wanted to be friends with someone would I be inviting them into my home.

I'm with Dippychick - quiet neighbours that you don't even know exist are the best!

Hermia

If I were you I'd just say hello when you happen to bump into them. I live in flats and have to admit I would be avoiding neighbours who looked like they wanted to come over or be friends! Most of the blocks I have lived in were full of young professionals who worked long hours and just wanted to collapse on their sofas in the evening. I agree with Bogof_Babe in that I think flat dwellers are often even more protective of their privacy, because they are living so close to other people. BTW, I don't know any of my neighbours, but we still take in each parcels etc.

Zazen999

Has it really come to the point in our evolution that we have to ask on an internet forum how to say 'good morning' to people around you?

amalis

thank you all for attention to my thread.
Nooo, it's not about should I say good morning or hello It is more about shall we invite them for a bottle of wine (as my neighbours did in my previous flat).
Questions? well, it is a leasehold and they do own all the ground around us and there are normal questions like: do we have to ask permission to change windows? can we cut a bush obstructing our window? etc.

DKLS

Never invite neighbours in to your place, at best if they spot you, put your head down and mumble loudly, they will soon get the message.