Odd neighbor scenario

[Anonymous]

OP-It's 1.

Had the same thing happen when we moved into a rental here. People acted like we didn't even exist, and we ended up renting for 3 years!

What I did--pretended like they didn't exist--after trying. I started ignoring them, no waves, no hellos, no smiles. Believe it or not, when I decided I didn't care and was going to do the same thing to them, they started being friendlier! Who knows.

It's weird area, so not you.

[Anonymous]

And, we are white. And neighbors of all colors did this to us. Like I said, when I acted like they didn't exist, they eventually became more friendly. Not racism.

[Anonymous]

I'm in my 50s, I've moved around the country and we have owned 4 houses in that time. In every neighborhood we've ever lived in, we've had at least one neighbor (usually two) on our street who never said one word to us. In five or ten years. Never knew their name, never said hi, never made eye contact.

It wasn't that I didn't try at first. I did. But these types of neighbors made it clear this was going nowhere. So I stopped saying waving as I was going to my car, or saying "hi" as I walked past. Sometimes they were like this with everyone in the neighborhood, and sometimes it was only certain, new people.

If you're a renter, then long-time owners may see you as only temporary and not worth their time to get to know. Just go about your business, and be friendly with the neighbors who are nice to you.

[Anonymous]

I vote for 3, and please report back with what happens.

[Anonymous]

Maybe neighbors are angry to have next house be an airbnb/short term rental.

[Anonymous]

They’ve probably had a bad experience with renters from that home. Sorry to say but homeowners are not thrilled to have renters in the neighborhood. It’s not right, but could be a factor.

[Anonymous]

I agree that it's probably renter discrimination. People of all persuasions feel entitled to look down on renters if the neighborhood is generally owners. If you stay for a few years they might say hi then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are probably tired of short timers moving in and out next door to them.

+1. They hate the idea that they live next to a short term rental and you are a constant reminder of that. They’ve seen people come and go and they just don’t feel like being friendly. I’d probably be the same. Sorry, but it’s true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just give it time. Maybe they have an issue with the landlord or there was some drama with the previous neighbors. I'm not saying they're acting appropriately, but you never know what's going on for other people. Be normal and nice and they'll probably soften over time, and if they don't they probably aren't people you want to hang with anyway.

This exactly, OP. It's very, very likely nothing to do with you personally; it's much likelier that they don't like the fact the place next to them is a rental or they had issues with previous renters or with the landlord.

I would continue just to be civil, acknowledging them with a brief hello or wave when you see them, but not going out of your way to "kill them with kindness." Take the high road of being civil but don't invest your time in trying to win them over, or ask them "did we offend you." Not worth it if you and they are not going to be neighbors for the long term anyway.

[Anonymous]

OP, if it's a nice well established neighborhood, then they're probably tired of renters coming and going. No use establishing a relationship with them since they are only there for a few years and then move on.

Also, in some nice neighborhoods, renters are look down upon because they can't afford to buy,

[Anonymous]

OP, no matter how much you earn or how nice you are, renters are look down upon in neighborhoods with mostly homeowners. It's just a fact of life.

[Anonymous]

They don't like the fact the house is rental.
They are tired of people coming and going.
Just live your life and keep the yard clean.