Basketball hoop at our house and we are caught between multigenerational neighbors

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd give the hoop to the neighbors with kids and let the two neighbors work it out. It will be one more house away from the elderly neighbors, and you don't have to be in the middle. I mean, they should let your kid play when he comes home from college right? If you are letting theirs play.

+1

Also, don't kowtow to pushy neighbors. It never ends well - if you give them an inch, they think they are a ruler. This is particularly true if they think their being there "longer" trumps your needs. Bullshit. (Not to mention, if they could not afford the neighborhood at today's prices, that is their own problem.)

[Anonymous]

Try this next time, "Sorry about the noise, Mr. Oldman. We'll the kids to try to keep it down. Have a great day!"

That's all you have to say. Be nice and make him feel like you listened. No need to change your rules or say a thing to the kids.

[Anonymous]

As someone who works untraditional hours, I'd really love it if kids weren't out making noise until 10am on weekends, however, I realize that is unrealistic and unfair. 9am-9pm seems like generous and neighborly hours.

You're doing it right, OP and your neighbors are being unreasonable. I'd just tell them what your hours and policy are and tell them you feel bad that they are annoyed but they are not being reasonable. If they want to get angry and call the cops, let them. Nothing will come of it because there is no expectation of perfect silence all day long on this shared planet.

[Anonymous]

We'll "tell" the kids...

[Anonymous]

When I get old I sure hope I'm not one of THOSE old people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call the neighbor that complained. Tell him to call the parents of the kids that use the hoop, and have them work something out. Easy, then you are neutral like Switzerland.

I'd do this. Your time range is entirely reasonable and needs no adjustment because of your neighbors' complaints. I feel for them but OTOH, it's kinda tough, they have to live with it if the hours are reasonable IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Honestly, it sounds as if you set reasonable limits so I would just ignore your senior citizen neighbor. The reality is that we live in a crowded area and reasonable noise level, such as the basketball playing as you described, is normal.

Your hours are more than reasonable. We don't let our kids play loudly outside until after 9AM on weekends, nor do we mow grass, use the leaf blower or any other loud yardwork before 9AM. That's being considerate of your neighbors. After 9AM, well, people need to be able to get that stuff done. We also don't let the play loudly outside after 8:00. If the neighbors have a kid with an earlier bedtime, they let us know and we respect that. We do have neighbors (like the PP) that let their dogs out at 6AM, leave them there for a couple hours during which time they bark and get into fights with each other. We've never spoken to them about it - although if I had a newborn, I just might.......

It's very nice of you to make the basketball goal available to other kids. Ignore the crotchety neighbors.

Some kids and adults sleep later. I find before 11 rude. I can see an hour or two a day but I would go insane listening to thumping for hours a day, which happened to us. I have health issue and need rest.

[Anonymous]

OP I just wanted to say that it is very nice of you to keep the hoop for the other neighborhood kids. We have a neighbor like you and I can tell you that those of us whose kids use their hoop think this neighbor just rocks.

[Anonymous]

The thumping noise of the basketball is probably what is annoying him and not the cheering. That noise can reverberate inside neighbors' homes. Trust me, I know. Not only that, sometimes kids use more than one basketball and you never know when they choose to start playing, disturbing your focus and peace. There are often covenants concerning hoop placement or noise ordinances, so hope you are following them.

I would talk to both him and the other neighbor and work something out. Don't be a jerk. It could very well escalate, especially with someone who might have time on their hands to make an issue of it.

[Anonymous]

I am sad because this is going to cause a rift in a 20 yr relationship. My neighbors are losing their coping skills.

[Anonymous]

Dad here. If the backboard is creating a lot of noise, tighten it up. You can eliminate the rattle with a little bit of ingenuity.

[Anonymous]

^ I hope this won't involve any work or money.

[Anonymous]

Neighbors are not entitled to silence during your reasonably set hours.

[Anonymous]

Kids playing basketball don't make that much noise. They must be doing something else along with playing, playing music perhaps? Talk to your neighbors and determine what noise is bothering them.

[Anonymous]

Tell your senior citizen neighbor to take out his hearing aid. It will be nice and quiet then.