How are your neighbors?

[Anonymous]

22:59, that is pretty heavy. We live in a fairly posh (as described by one neighbor) neighborhood in NW DC, but the culture is much more heterogenous than 22:59's description of AU Park (which runs counter to what I know from my friends who live there). Yes, there are some neighbors who flush green whenever they perceive you have gotten an "edge" on them (e.g., school admissions, administration appointments, etc). But most folks are fairly, even very, nice and generous. While this was not my first choice neighborhood (a little too posh for my taste), we are here for circumstances beyond my control, but I've been pleasantly surprised at all the gems I've discovered and have really embraced it as my home.

[Anonymous]

I live in Greenbelt and I couldn't have asked for better neighbors or a better area to live in. My neighbors are some of the best people I have met in my entire life. We are all great friends and do lots of things together. There are several of us that hang out together on a fairly regular basis and we will often all go out to dinner together. We all have children about the same age and they play together and act more like siblings than friends.

[Anonymous]

AU Park is a basically a dump lined with mostly tiny homes on busy streets with poorly kept yards and cars piled up along every block. I love how those douches take themselves so seriously.

[Anonymous]

It is the people with the attitude of "well then, move" that make the D.C. area so warm and welcoming. Holy shit.

I say, if the neighbors with their heads up their ass are so freaking wonderful, why don't they live in a better neighborhood? Otherwise, take your attitude down a bit and act well, neighborly. What a concept.

[Anonymous]

Looks like the same PP is trashing AU Park - or do that many people use the word douche??

[Anonymous]

My street in Columbia Heights is an even mix of old-timers and yuppies. The newcomers (like us, I guess) are insular and busy, but courteous enough. The old-timers are friendly, take care of their yards, and know my kids' names.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looks like the same PP is trashing AU Park - or do that many people use the word douche??

New poster here; just to comment on the "douche" thing. I used to throw the insult "douche bag" around constantly, until I watched one episode of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," in which Khloe called her sister's boyfriend a "douche lord," which he really seems to be. So now "douche lord" is my go-to expression. It's awesome.

Sorry for the footnote. Please, continue the debate about how awful AU Park is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You should consider writing children's books.

In the great green neighborhood

There is a little gray rescue dog and

SAHMs and WOHMS driving Priuses

and bears sitting on fair trade chairs, etc....

This may be one of my favorite all time DCUM posts. It almost deserves its own thread for others to contribute to the story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is the people with the attitude of "well then, move" that make the D.C. area so warm and welcoming. Holy shit.

I say, if the neighbors with their heads up their ass are so freaking wonderful, why don't they live in a better neighborhood? Otherwise, take your attitude down a bit and act well, neighborly. What a concept.

Douche Poster here. Well, that's it, being neighborly. How do you define it? AU Park has been much more transient than I expected. The homes really are not tiny, at all, as another poster suggested. Some are starter homes. But most people have added on--those who haven't still have enough room to take a family of 4 up through teen years. It's really just been the catty remarks of one neighbor about another's children or lifestyle--it's rushing to call authorities to report a neighbor for a branch or other condition around the property--rather than just talking to the neighbor; it's just not be friendly or saying hello when you see a child that you certainly know on the sidewalk (just storming by with your head down staring at the middle distance) so many of the neighbors have devolved into this now that the kids are older.)

Not everyone , of course! But it is a trend that is ongoing and seeming to be at a point of no return. Everyone is occasionally busy and absent-mindedly could do these things but this has been going on 4 or 5 years--The neighborhood is really developed a hostile vibe. Now with the mayor signs in the yards it just feels like medieval fiefdoms--extremely polarized. Not that I have EVER talked about politics or religion with any neighbor, that would be so uncomfortable.

I'm just blown away by how things have deteriorated.

[Anonymous]

Love East Bethesda - very tight knight neighborhood and DH, DD and I have tons of friends.

[Anonymous]

PP, agree that social capabilities have deteriorated. Also wondering WTF the other PP meant by "courteous enough". Maybe this is the problem!

Emotional intelligence, anyone?

I find it humorous when a neighbor tries to snub you and it is clearly (and we know it) not for financial, professional or education reasons. Assuming that is why they think they can snub you. A word to them: We KNOW you have nothing to snub about, neighbor. Everyone who mentions you has only negative to say. You look silly when you are tripping over yourself trying to look superior. You are making an ass of yourself. Carry on.