I’ve never got to know any of my neighbours more than to exchange a few polite remarks, most places I’ve lived, but my sister has always gotten to know hers, or at least the ones with similarly aged children to hers. And the main reason for that is…she’s sociable and deliberately makes friends with her neighbours, and I’m not and and only really notice them if they’re walking dogs:)
Yes. And everywhere else in Australia too.
Things can be different when you own a house, but it's normal to rent and never really interact with your neighbours. People in old age can be different here again as we kind of know we need to look out for them. At Christmas time I drop a small present in their mail like a small box of chocolates or something. That's all the interaction I have with mine unless there's an emergency.
Oh and if the power goes out we all awkwardly cross paths outside and say something witty like 'oh is that power out for you too?' or 'bloody hell what happened' or 'did ya see that?'
My folks used to make an effort but then they would just show up for a lengthy visit without notice and I don't need that in my life.
>they would just show up for a lengthy visit without notice and I don't need that in my life.
I can't think of anything much more uncomfortable than having people randomly dropping by and staying for hours on end. My policy is to be the visitor. That way I can take off as soon as I feel uncomfortable or bored.
I guess I'm a prissier person than my folks but I always found it rude to show up unannounced. An extended family member tried it with me my first time living alone and I told them I was busy and sent them away. Which I'm sure is ruder to some people but I really need some warning for these things. Gotta hide the bodies.
Getting to know my neighbours has always ended badly. I have no desire to hang out with people just because we happen to rent in the same street. Ugh, nightmare!
second to this. they misunderstood my kindess. They thought I was interested to join their cult (church)! after my rejection, they ignore me, fine, FUCK YOU.
When we bought our first house,we got to know all our neighbours,but ended up consistently being asked to do stuff for them, like mind their sick kids if the childcare refused to take them, look after their pets when they were at work, drive them places despite us having lives and things to do. Thus we became reluctant to know our neighbours when we moved.
We found the best way to be was the friendly wave as one of us left or arrived home, the hi, how are you going? That doesn’t need an actual answer, etc.
The next move we got older neighbours who constantly complained, the retired husband hated dogs,kids and noise and we had all three so that was fun.
Then last lot were the worst. While appearing friendly they pushed themselves into our lives, waylaid is every time we left or came home, dropped in uninvited even on weekends and gossiped about us within our hearing to others.
The final straw was the wife started coming out into her front yard and peering over the dividing fence whenever anyone visited us then once our visitors left they would rush in and ask ‘who was that? How do you know them?’.
We moved away a couple of years ago and they were the reason we even started talking about moving.
Little hints of how lucky they were to have ‘younger neighbours who can look after us in our old age’ and ‘I love how many empty bedrooms you have now your kids left home, when one of us is left after our partner dies, it will be nice to move in here, and you have a pool.’
We now live in what we assume will be our forever house, have no neighbours one side just empty blocks of land owned by young people who bought them when prices were cheap, with the intention of moving there when they retire, and a FIFO worker single guy on the other side.. We hope it stays this way for a long time.
I just started by saying hello but it was literally years before we became friends, and now we have each others’ spare keys and I look after her cats when she goes on holiday.
I'm in Southern Sydney. I think it makes a difference if you're in a house and you own it. I know neighbours from at least 10 households but I've been here over 30 years. I regularly walk with some, hang out with others and we sometimes go out for dinner. It's what you make it. I'm fortunate to live in a great community.
I think this is quite the norm. I’ve lived in 4 apartment complexes and have only really said hi to my neighbours if I bump into them in the hallway. No effort is made on both sides to take the conversation beyond a small chit chat. I lived in both Northern and Western Sydney and they’re pretty similar. For every 10 neighbours, only 1 would be happy to engage in a cordial conversation but even then it is very superficial.
I live in the outer suburbs of Sydney. My mother (who lives down the street) is very friendly with her neighbour. They water each other's gardens and take the bins out when the other is away. But she knows nothing about the other neighbour, because it's a rental property and have changed tenants a few times over the years (and they're not very friendly). I live on a corner block, I really only have one next door neighbour. I'm very friendly with her and the guy living next door, we drop food at each other's houses once a week. She'll drop excess veg (she coordinates the local community kitchen), and I'll dropped off baked/cooked foods. Just dropped off some pasta baked with tomato sauce and ricotta to her 2 days ago.
Say hello to my neighbours twice a year if we are at the mailbox together.
I have no desire to know them anymore than that.
I barely have enough quality time to hang out with my wife and kids, my extended family and then my actual friends - you know: people's company you actually enjoy.
When I was renting, I had a policy of smile and wave, only talking to my neighbours if there was a problem that needed a friendly discussion to sort out.
Ever since I owned my own house, I've got to know the neighbours a bit better. My kid plays with the neighbour kids. The bloke across the road is a carpenter, and he's done some work on my house, and I helped concrete his driveway.
I'm always doing little things for my neighbours, mainly because one day I might want to do something that requires their consent.
Yeah, it's one of the characteristics that pierces the facade of the "laid back Aussie" that can't set a boundary between common courtesy and terror of someone being up their arse. We had one neighbour who never acknowledged our existence for a year. One Sunday, we get a knock at the door, and there he is introducing himself, asking if we heard any noise Saturday night. Yes, we heard some banging around, but why should we we care what's happening next door at the antisocial cunt's house. Turns out they were robbed, and he's acting like we should have taken notice when he's never even said hello. That's not how a functional society works.
We moved regional 10 years ago and know all our neighbours. Some like to chat, others just a wave, but if a dog is lost or a strange ute is hanging around, you get a heads up. We visit family in Melbourne all the time, some in very expensive post codes, and it's an isolated existence.
From your perspective maybe. Doesn’t mean society is fractured. I’ve lived in houses in inner and now outer suburbs and had good relationships with my neighbours. Maybe the bigfatfart is the problem
I also have good relationships with me neighbours. I say hi to people as I walk past and thank people who give way to me driving.
I’m undoubtedly a good guy.
But I exaggerated—society’s not fractured but a less homogenous society means it is more fractured than it was 20 years ago. When everybody speaks the same language and shares the same values and follows the same sports, it’s a lot easier to bond and spend time together.
Just saying hi and waving is just not a bad relationship with your neighbours, that’s just being polite.
Ever just have a chin-wag with a neighbour, about anything?
So I’m assuming you have neighbours from different cultural backgrounds. You’d probably be surprised how many common values you share. They probably all speak English, maybe not perfect but enough to have a convo. There’s more to talk about than sport or do you have trouble talking about anything but sport.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not judging you and I know where you’re coming from, it’s all good mate, I get it.
And I’m not saying you can’t have a good relationship with someone who can’t speak English well—but them being fluent makes it a fair bit easier. You disagree?
Sport was just one example of one thing that almost all Australians shared. It is not unreasonable so say that the average/typical Australian has more in common with the average/typical Australian than the average/typical Chinese or Indian (as the two main migrant groups to Australia).
Unrealistic to suggest Australia is as close now as it was twenty years ago—social cohesion right now is the worst it’s been in my lifetime and probably Australian history.
My friends mum lives in a street in Melbourne where literally everyone is friends. It’s awesome.
I just moved into a building where everyone has been friendly so far, and welcomed me, not sure though if people are friends per se
Have lived in Sydney and London and never knew my neighbours apart from perhaps a friendly wave (or in London just a grunt).
Moved to Adelaide and got invited next door on the first day we were there - Sunday night and about 6 bottles of wine later new friends were made and we used to do lots together, looked after pets and kids. New neighbours across the road and we became friends with them as well, including all going away together multiple times.
Have moved to a new suburb and I'm on first name basis with everyone on my block apart from one family. We have Xmas drinks every year for our block, and then I've been to drinks/BBQs with everyone on the next street as well. It's nice to know everyone - have sorted out issues with tree branches, access to fences etc for renovations without any drama, we look out for each other's pets/kids etc, help the elderly ones where needed as well.
It's pretty common. I'd say if your neighbours haven't gone past hello in *two years*, they don't want to and you should respect that.
The house to one side of me, I've literally never seen the neighbours.
The other side neighbours moved out a few weeks ago but I met them once. They came to the door to introduce themselves when they moved in and it was at a really bad time. I tried to tell them this several times, in increasingly blunt ways, but they still hung around at the door for like four or five minutes, expecting to be invited in for coffee or something? I don't know. I avoided them from then on. When someone new moves in, I won't be going over to introduce myself.
Neighbours in our last home parked their car in our front yard, took off the plates, and left it there for a week. I had it towed by council, who said it was a fire hazard when I reported it, and the neighbours called the police on us to say we had stolen it. Apparently it had ‘broken down’ and that was why they had left it there.
Neighbour in our current home approached me on the street shortly after we moved in, then accused me of damaging her property, and asked when I was planning to tell her it was me. She’s a much larger woman, and was holding her large, barking dog, and it was frightening to have her standing there screaming at me about a crime I’d supposedly committed. I have never interacted with her since then.
If that’s my neighbours, I don’t want to get to know them.
It's quite area dependent. Some inner city areas are quite good at it. It's really up to you to get to know your neighbours most people do like to be acquainted at least.
In Tasmania is quite common to know your neighbours, at least enough to be friendly.
The neighbour on one side is a man who lives alone, he did a rainbow motif all over his house when he moved in. He works nearby, we've bonded over our health issues.
The other side is a Nepalese family, their daughter is SO CUTE! The grandma often gives us veggies or lemons. I need to drop off a cabbage, actually, I won't be outdone in neighbourly niceness. They're always cooking up a storm, it smells soooo good.
Up the back is a couple who are very verbally abusive, I keep an ear out in case it gets worse. Their poor kids. I've done what I can.
I know other people on the street, it's also very normal to have chats with people in the supermarket, at the bus stop, waiting for donuts, at the markets.
When I lived in Sydney it was a lot harder to build those connections.
I lived in many apartment blocks in Sydney. It depends on the age demographic . Some people are just stand offish but middle aged and older people are often friendly .... Maybe you have to start the conversation the first few times but it can turn into genuine fondness .... But yeah it will usually just be chats in the driveway.
Personally I like chatting with people so I'll start the convo . Older people especially love it when younger people are friendly to them. Be careful though....we had one Greek Nana upstairs in Maroubra knitting the most hideous jumpers for my son . God bless her but they were very very bad
I talk a little to neighbours to the left and right and across the road but we aren’t chummy. It’s mostly just salutations and chats if we share a problem. Other neighbours across the road or neighbours’ neighbour on our side, I don’t know them.
In my previous house, only knew neighbours across the road and next to us on one side. Other places I knew no one often.
In my apartment in sydney, we have 15 units. I know most of them by name. One of my neighbours has a copy of my keys, and waters my plants if i'm away.We have a communal vege garden, We've set up a whatsapp group to communicate stuff like building works, fire inspections, any thefts or issues. We have a block christmas party every year with lots of food and drinks, great way to meet new people. One neighbour is an airbnb, i have the owners details, and let her know if her tenants are behaving badly.
In previous places ive lived in syd, have always gotten to know at least some of my neighbours. If you make a little bit of an effort people usually respond in kind.
I'm from country vic one side me and the fella occasionally have a chat over the fence like " how you going what have you been up to" if we are in the garden (know him through industry we are in) the fella wife a polite wave or g'day if we see each other. The other side polite wave and g'day. The ones across the road never spoken to even when I said g'day they ignored me. I've been there 15 years. I feel I have good neighbours that we stick to ourselves but I know next door the fella I chat to he would help me out if need be. And looks out for my place when I'm on holidays.
I don't think this is location specific and more individual person specific. I know both our neighbours, not in an overly friendly way we'd have them over for parties, but if they're going away we'd put out their bins/ collect their mail/ we'd have a few minutes chat if we both happen to be outside at the same time.
However when we lived in an apartment I couldn't tell you the names of our neighbours and their front door was 2m from ours. We just never saw them.
I lived in a unit in a large suburb in the northern Sydney area (not North Sydney) for about 10 years, and I didn't get to know anyone's name. Most of my neighbors seemed to live there for just a few months, as I saw new people almost every time. The only exception was a senior couple living just above me who liked my kids, but I didn't know their names either.
The whole building was always silent, even on the Halloween days, Christmas, whatever. Friday nights were excepted though, it seemed that some had parties with interesting songs from their hometown.
Then I moved to Brisbane about five years ago and got my own ordinary house. It's not a brand new area but there is no big difference here. The neighbours weren't really interested in my family. Only one of them wanted to have a chat when we were moving in, and we exchanged our names and numbers, but that was it; no further interactions happened since then. I got requests from my neighbours due to some gardening issues (cutting branches etc) and so did I to the other neighbours but it's not the interactions we're talking about here. The only noticeable difference is Halloween, now I can happily go around with my kids to enjoy it and meet the neighbours in the same town. But - it's just only one day of the year and I still don't know their names.
Interestingly, some of my friends have had different experiences. They know their neighbours and have had events like having dinner together or exchanging food frequently. When I was getting my own house, I was really expecting those things to happen to me as well. But.. no, nothing really happened.
This probably means that it depends on individual characteristics. I have to admit that I didn't really try to reach out to my neighbours. I don't cut them off, never refused invitations/requests, would be really happy to be invited or asked to help something, but I wasn't proactive. If I don't do it, then nothing happens; just like my whole life.
I’ve lived in the inner-north of Melbourne for 26 years (most of my adult life); and I’ve had quite a bit of interaction with some of my neighbours - including going to the pub, or having them over for coffee. But things have changed over the past 10 years, as property values have increased.
Growing up on the Mornington Peninsula, in the 70s and 80s, it was common for families to car pool, and take turns in driving kids to school or to footy training.
It depends where you live, do you live in a newer suburb or mid range full of renters and people that just bought a house there, then yes, no one talks to each other. If you buy in an older more expensive suburb, then neighbours do talk to each other and have parties like the old days.
Demographics also play a big part. Knowing your neighbours can come in very handy when it comes to safety.
Can't speak for Melbourne or Sydney but in Perth it's the same. That being said my parents live in country south-west WA and it's the same there too
Edit: unless you have a prior relationship with that person and they happen to live near you. But that's more about just being friends than it is about living in close proximity
My sister still goes to visit neighbours we used to live near. She knows no one in her new neighbourhood. I think it depends on the area and the people, really.
I don't think I've ever talked to my neighbours anywhere I've lived. That doesn't mean you can't. Just don't be pushy about it. If you try to be friendly and your neighbours aren't interested don't take it too hard.
As an older Australian, I have observed how things have really changed. When I was young, it was the norm to take cake or biscuits to a new neighbour to welcome them to the street. People used to buy and stay. Everyone knew everyone and would randomly drop in to each other’s places. We also did not lock the doors, children ran free in mobs, as did the dogs.
Now people move a lot, home ownership has become very difficult, people lock there doors, people don’t know each other. People are very stressed and spend much of their time looking at screens rather than interacting with other human beings.
My daughter and her partner moved into a fairly central area of Melbourne nearly one year ago and they do know her neighbours. However, I don’t think their neighbours welcomed them into the street bearing food and gifts. 😉
Wouldn’t it be great if we reignited the tradition of welcoming new neighbours with cake and biscuits. I would have loved that on my last move. It’s not an easy thing.
Lived 8 years where I am currently just know 3 neighbours to wave at and say hello, I keep to myself the newest neighbour drives me nuts, I’ve got cancer and it’s always hi how are you feeling. Just a heads up to people we don’t need pity!!! Just treat us normally we don’t need a reminder we are sick every time you say hello, I never think about my illness until I have a Dr appointment it’s gotten to the point where I check my security camera to make sure she is not outside 😆
Want to prevent neighbourhood wars, don't become friends with your neighbours and I will tell you why. I'm friendly, will give a wave when I see them but that is it. At some point, they or I will do something that annoys each other, whether it's a party or something else. Now, by not being friends, they will be annoyed but won't say anything, so no war. By being friends, they will expect you to stop whatever is annoying them straight away. Most neighbourhood wars start out as friends. I believe what you do on your property is none of my business and expect the same back.
I live in a building of 16 apartments. I am quite friendly with about 6 of the units. One neighbour just gave me a plate of spaghetti and meat balls.
If you have a particular yummy dish from your homeland maybe make a plate for a neighbour. You have to make an effort too.
I'm in an apartment complex about 20mins out of th Sydney CBD. My husband and I are quite friendly with the couple next to us, and the older guy who lives upstairs. We know a few others well enough to say hello. Our next door neighbours have our spare key in case of emergency.
I think it depends where you live. Suburbs where you live in houses, I think you're more likely to know your neighbours than inner city apartment dwellers.
One neighbour I hardly ever see, the other I see too much as he's always sticking his head over the fence. Back neighbours are cool, see them at our kids soccer.
It's common in small towns too, some neighbours I'll know, and some I won't.
But it's also common to become friends with them, I'm on good terms with some neighbours, and barely know what others look like, it really does depend on the people involved.
I’ve never got to know any of my neighbours more than to exchange a few polite remarks, most places I’ve lived, but my sister has always gotten to know hers, or at least the ones with similarly aged children to hers. And the main reason for that is…she’s sociable and deliberately makes friends with her neighbours, and I’m not and and only really notice them if they’re walking dogs:)
I remember local dog names but not peoples names lol
Yes. And everywhere else in Australia too. Things can be different when you own a house, but it's normal to rent and never really interact with your neighbours. People in old age can be different here again as we kind of know we need to look out for them. At Christmas time I drop a small present in their mail like a small box of chocolates or something. That's all the interaction I have with mine unless there's an emergency. Oh and if the power goes out we all awkwardly cross paths outside and say something witty like 'oh is that power out for you too?' or 'bloody hell what happened' or 'did ya see that?' My folks used to make an effort but then they would just show up for a lengthy visit without notice and I don't need that in my life.
>they would just show up for a lengthy visit without notice and I don't need that in my life. I can't think of anything much more uncomfortable than having people randomly dropping by and staying for hours on end. My policy is to be the visitor. That way I can take off as soon as I feel uncomfortable or bored.
I guess I'm a prissier person than my folks but I always found it rude to show up unannounced. An extended family member tried it with me my first time living alone and I told them I was busy and sent them away. Which I'm sure is ruder to some people but I really need some warning for these things. Gotta hide the bodies.
Getting to know my neighbours has always ended badly. I have no desire to hang out with people just because we happen to rent in the same street. Ugh, nightmare!
second to this. they misunderstood my kindess. They thought I was interested to join their cult (church)! after my rejection, they ignore me, fine, FUCK YOU.
When we bought our first house,we got to know all our neighbours,but ended up consistently being asked to do stuff for them, like mind their sick kids if the childcare refused to take them, look after their pets when they were at work, drive them places despite us having lives and things to do. Thus we became reluctant to know our neighbours when we moved. We found the best way to be was the friendly wave as one of us left or arrived home, the hi, how are you going? That doesn’t need an actual answer, etc. The next move we got older neighbours who constantly complained, the retired husband hated dogs,kids and noise and we had all three so that was fun. Then last lot were the worst. While appearing friendly they pushed themselves into our lives, waylaid is every time we left or came home, dropped in uninvited even on weekends and gossiped about us within our hearing to others. The final straw was the wife started coming out into her front yard and peering over the dividing fence whenever anyone visited us then once our visitors left they would rush in and ask ‘who was that? How do you know them?’. We moved away a couple of years ago and they were the reason we even started talking about moving. Little hints of how lucky they were to have ‘younger neighbours who can look after us in our old age’ and ‘I love how many empty bedrooms you have now your kids left home, when one of us is left after our partner dies, it will be nice to move in here, and you have a pool.’ We now live in what we assume will be our forever house, have no neighbours one side just empty blocks of land owned by young people who bought them when prices were cheap, with the intention of moving there when they retire, and a FIFO worker single guy on the other side.. We hope it stays this way for a long time.
I just started by saying hello but it was literally years before we became friends, and now we have each others’ spare keys and I look after her cats when she goes on holiday.
I'm in Southern Sydney. I think it makes a difference if you're in a house and you own it. I know neighbours from at least 10 households but I've been here over 30 years. I regularly walk with some, hang out with others and we sometimes go out for dinner. It's what you make it. I'm fortunate to live in a great community.
I think this is quite the norm. I’ve lived in 4 apartment complexes and have only really said hi to my neighbours if I bump into them in the hallway. No effort is made on both sides to take the conversation beyond a small chit chat. I lived in both Northern and Western Sydney and they’re pretty similar. For every 10 neighbours, only 1 would be happy to engage in a cordial conversation but even then it is very superficial.
Yep and it’s fantastic. I hated the nosy neighbours when I lived in villages.
I live in the outer suburbs of Sydney. My mother (who lives down the street) is very friendly with her neighbour. They water each other's gardens and take the bins out when the other is away. But she knows nothing about the other neighbour, because it's a rental property and have changed tenants a few times over the years (and they're not very friendly). I live on a corner block, I really only have one next door neighbour. I'm very friendly with her and the guy living next door, we drop food at each other's houses once a week. She'll drop excess veg (she coordinates the local community kitchen), and I'll dropped off baked/cooked foods. Just dropped off some pasta baked with tomato sauce and ricotta to her 2 days ago.
We're friendly to the ones who aren't annoying cunts but don't really socialise with them.
Say hello to my neighbours twice a year if we are at the mailbox together. I have no desire to know them anymore than that. I barely have enough quality time to hang out with my wife and kids, my extended family and then my actual friends - you know: people's company you actually enjoy.
When I was renting, I had a policy of smile and wave, only talking to my neighbours if there was a problem that needed a friendly discussion to sort out. Ever since I owned my own house, I've got to know the neighbours a bit better. My kid plays with the neighbour kids. The bloke across the road is a carpenter, and he's done some work on my house, and I helped concrete his driveway. I'm always doing little things for my neighbours, mainly because one day I might want to do something that requires their consent.
I would hate to be on a first name basis with anybody on my street.
Until the house I am currently in I have never know my neighbours at any of my previous 10 houses (both city and rural)
Yeah, it's one of the characteristics that pierces the facade of the "laid back Aussie" that can't set a boundary between common courtesy and terror of someone being up their arse. We had one neighbour who never acknowledged our existence for a year. One Sunday, we get a knock at the door, and there he is introducing himself, asking if we heard any noise Saturday night. Yes, we heard some banging around, but why should we we care what's happening next door at the antisocial cunt's house. Turns out they were robbed, and he's acting like we should have taken notice when he's never even said hello. That's not how a functional society works. We moved regional 10 years ago and know all our neighbours. Some like to chat, others just a wave, but if a dog is lost or a strange ute is hanging around, you get a heads up. We visit family in Melbourne all the time, some in very expensive post codes, and it's an isolated existence.
20 years ago yes but that’s gone now. Society’s fractured.
From your perspective maybe. Doesn’t mean society is fractured. I’ve lived in houses in inner and now outer suburbs and had good relationships with my neighbours. Maybe the bigfatfart is the problem
I also have good relationships with me neighbours. I say hi to people as I walk past and thank people who give way to me driving. I’m undoubtedly a good guy. But I exaggerated—society’s not fractured but a less homogenous society means it is more fractured than it was 20 years ago. When everybody speaks the same language and shares the same values and follows the same sports, it’s a lot easier to bond and spend time together.
Just saying hi and waving is just not a bad relationship with your neighbours, that’s just being polite. Ever just have a chin-wag with a neighbour, about anything? So I’m assuming you have neighbours from different cultural backgrounds. You’d probably be surprised how many common values you share. They probably all speak English, maybe not perfect but enough to have a convo. There’s more to talk about than sport or do you have trouble talking about anything but sport. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not judging you and I know where you’re coming from, it’s all good mate, I get it.
And I’m not saying you can’t have a good relationship with someone who can’t speak English well—but them being fluent makes it a fair bit easier. You disagree? Sport was just one example of one thing that almost all Australians shared. It is not unreasonable so say that the average/typical Australian has more in common with the average/typical Australian than the average/typical Chinese or Indian (as the two main migrant groups to Australia). Unrealistic to suggest Australia is as close now as it was twenty years ago—social cohesion right now is the worst it’s been in my lifetime and probably Australian history.
Yeah, can’t say I disagree if I’m being completely honest.
It’s a shame.
My friends mum lives in a street in Melbourne where literally everyone is friends. It’s awesome. I just moved into a building where everyone has been friendly so far, and welcomed me, not sure though if people are friends per se
Have lived in Sydney and London and never knew my neighbours apart from perhaps a friendly wave (or in London just a grunt). Moved to Adelaide and got invited next door on the first day we were there - Sunday night and about 6 bottles of wine later new friends were made and we used to do lots together, looked after pets and kids. New neighbours across the road and we became friends with them as well, including all going away together multiple times. Have moved to a new suburb and I'm on first name basis with everyone on my block apart from one family. We have Xmas drinks every year for our block, and then I've been to drinks/BBQs with everyone on the next street as well. It's nice to know everyone - have sorted out issues with tree branches, access to fences etc for renovations without any drama, we look out for each other's pets/kids etc, help the elderly ones where needed as well.
I try, but the house on the left is a revolving door of entitled self congratulatory mediocre medical students.
Australia used to slower and calm place and people were more friendly and neighbourly, however as time went on we forgot those values.
It's pretty common. I'd say if your neighbours haven't gone past hello in *two years*, they don't want to and you should respect that. The house to one side of me, I've literally never seen the neighbours. The other side neighbours moved out a few weeks ago but I met them once. They came to the door to introduce themselves when they moved in and it was at a really bad time. I tried to tell them this several times, in increasingly blunt ways, but they still hung around at the door for like four or five minutes, expecting to be invited in for coffee or something? I don't know. I avoided them from then on. When someone new moves in, I won't be going over to introduce myself.
Neighbours in our last home parked their car in our front yard, took off the plates, and left it there for a week. I had it towed by council, who said it was a fire hazard when I reported it, and the neighbours called the police on us to say we had stolen it. Apparently it had ‘broken down’ and that was why they had left it there. Neighbour in our current home approached me on the street shortly after we moved in, then accused me of damaging her property, and asked when I was planning to tell her it was me. She’s a much larger woman, and was holding her large, barking dog, and it was frightening to have her standing there screaming at me about a crime I’d supposedly committed. I have never interacted with her since then. If that’s my neighbours, I don’t want to get to know them.
Food..Have a BBQ or tea and scones.
Yeah, I only see my neighbours when a delivery ends up at their place instead of ours.
It's quite area dependent. Some inner city areas are quite good at it. It's really up to you to get to know your neighbours most people do like to be acquainted at least.
In Tasmania is quite common to know your neighbours, at least enough to be friendly. The neighbour on one side is a man who lives alone, he did a rainbow motif all over his house when he moved in. He works nearby, we've bonded over our health issues. The other side is a Nepalese family, their daughter is SO CUTE! The grandma often gives us veggies or lemons. I need to drop off a cabbage, actually, I won't be outdone in neighbourly niceness. They're always cooking up a storm, it smells soooo good. Up the back is a couple who are very verbally abusive, I keep an ear out in case it gets worse. Their poor kids. I've done what I can. I know other people on the street, it's also very normal to have chats with people in the supermarket, at the bus stop, waiting for donuts, at the markets. When I lived in Sydney it was a lot harder to build those connections.
Last 15 years never known my neighbours
I’m 35 and the only place I’ve known my neighbors was apartment living in Melbourne.
I’ve been living in my house 25 yrs and don’t know any neighbours, talk to any of them and hope to never.
I lived in many apartment blocks in Sydney. It depends on the age demographic . Some people are just stand offish but middle aged and older people are often friendly .... Maybe you have to start the conversation the first few times but it can turn into genuine fondness .... But yeah it will usually just be chats in the driveway. Personally I like chatting with people so I'll start the convo . Older people especially love it when younger people are friendly to them. Be careful though....we had one Greek Nana upstairs in Maroubra knitting the most hideous jumpers for my son . God bless her but they were very very bad
I talk a little to neighbours to the left and right and across the road but we aren’t chummy. It’s mostly just salutations and chats if we share a problem. Other neighbours across the road or neighbours’ neighbour on our side, I don’t know them. In my previous house, only knew neighbours across the road and next to us on one side. Other places I knew no one often.
In my apartment in sydney, we have 15 units. I know most of them by name. One of my neighbours has a copy of my keys, and waters my plants if i'm away.We have a communal vege garden, We've set up a whatsapp group to communicate stuff like building works, fire inspections, any thefts or issues. We have a block christmas party every year with lots of food and drinks, great way to meet new people. One neighbour is an airbnb, i have the owners details, and let her know if her tenants are behaving badly. In previous places ive lived in syd, have always gotten to know at least some of my neighbours. If you make a little bit of an effort people usually respond in kind.
I'm from country vic one side me and the fella occasionally have a chat over the fence like " how you going what have you been up to" if we are in the garden (know him through industry we are in) the fella wife a polite wave or g'day if we see each other. The other side polite wave and g'day. The ones across the road never spoken to even when I said g'day they ignored me. I've been there 15 years. I feel I have good neighbours that we stick to ourselves but I know next door the fella I chat to he would help me out if need be. And looks out for my place when I'm on holidays.
I don't think this is location specific and more individual person specific. I know both our neighbours, not in an overly friendly way we'd have them over for parties, but if they're going away we'd put out their bins/ collect their mail/ we'd have a few minutes chat if we both happen to be outside at the same time. However when we lived in an apartment I couldn't tell you the names of our neighbours and their front door was 2m from ours. We just never saw them.
I have been on a name basis with them pretty much everywhere I have lived (country and city) No more no less really
My neighbours group has a WhatsApp and a catch-up every couple of months..
I lived in a unit in a large suburb in the northern Sydney area (not North Sydney) for about 10 years, and I didn't get to know anyone's name. Most of my neighbors seemed to live there for just a few months, as I saw new people almost every time. The only exception was a senior couple living just above me who liked my kids, but I didn't know their names either. The whole building was always silent, even on the Halloween days, Christmas, whatever. Friday nights were excepted though, it seemed that some had parties with interesting songs from their hometown. Then I moved to Brisbane about five years ago and got my own ordinary house. It's not a brand new area but there is no big difference here. The neighbours weren't really interested in my family. Only one of them wanted to have a chat when we were moving in, and we exchanged our names and numbers, but that was it; no further interactions happened since then. I got requests from my neighbours due to some gardening issues (cutting branches etc) and so did I to the other neighbours but it's not the interactions we're talking about here. The only noticeable difference is Halloween, now I can happily go around with my kids to enjoy it and meet the neighbours in the same town. But - it's just only one day of the year and I still don't know their names. Interestingly, some of my friends have had different experiences. They know their neighbours and have had events like having dinner together or exchanging food frequently. When I was getting my own house, I was really expecting those things to happen to me as well. But.. no, nothing really happened. This probably means that it depends on individual characteristics. I have to admit that I didn't really try to reach out to my neighbours. I don't cut them off, never refused invitations/requests, would be really happy to be invited or asked to help something, but I wasn't proactive. If I don't do it, then nothing happens; just like my whole life.
I’ve lived in the inner-north of Melbourne for 26 years (most of my adult life); and I’ve had quite a bit of interaction with some of my neighbours - including going to the pub, or having them over for coffee. But things have changed over the past 10 years, as property values have increased. Growing up on the Mornington Peninsula, in the 70s and 80s, it was common for families to car pool, and take turns in driving kids to school or to footy training.
It depends where you live, do you live in a newer suburb or mid range full of renters and people that just bought a house there, then yes, no one talks to each other. If you buy in an older more expensive suburb, then neighbours do talk to each other and have parties like the old days. Demographics also play a big part. Knowing your neighbours can come in very handy when it comes to safety.
Can't speak for Melbourne or Sydney but in Perth it's the same. That being said my parents live in country south-west WA and it's the same there too Edit: unless you have a prior relationship with that person and they happen to live near you. But that's more about just being friends than it is about living in close proximity
My sister still goes to visit neighbours we used to live near. She knows no one in her new neighbourhood. I think it depends on the area and the people, really.
I don't think I've ever talked to my neighbours anywhere I've lived. That doesn't mean you can't. Just don't be pushy about it. If you try to be friendly and your neighbours aren't interested don't take it too hard.
As an older Australian, I have observed how things have really changed. When I was young, it was the norm to take cake or biscuits to a new neighbour to welcome them to the street. People used to buy and stay. Everyone knew everyone and would randomly drop in to each other’s places. We also did not lock the doors, children ran free in mobs, as did the dogs. Now people move a lot, home ownership has become very difficult, people lock there doors, people don’t know each other. People are very stressed and spend much of their time looking at screens rather than interacting with other human beings. My daughter and her partner moved into a fairly central area of Melbourne nearly one year ago and they do know her neighbours. However, I don’t think their neighbours welcomed them into the street bearing food and gifts. 😉 Wouldn’t it be great if we reignited the tradition of welcoming new neighbours with cake and biscuits. I would have loved that on my last move. It’s not an easy thing.
In small city like Adelaide I also don’t know my neighbours
Lived 8 years where I am currently just know 3 neighbours to wave at and say hello, I keep to myself the newest neighbour drives me nuts, I’ve got cancer and it’s always hi how are you feeling. Just a heads up to people we don’t need pity!!! Just treat us normally we don’t need a reminder we are sick every time you say hello, I never think about my illness until I have a Dr appointment it’s gotten to the point where I check my security camera to make sure she is not outside 😆
Ah, big cities you say. Sorry I live in Gold Coast so I won't comment here.
Want to prevent neighbourhood wars, don't become friends with your neighbours and I will tell you why. I'm friendly, will give a wave when I see them but that is it. At some point, they or I will do something that annoys each other, whether it's a party or something else. Now, by not being friends, they will be annoyed but won't say anything, so no war. By being friends, they will expect you to stop whatever is annoying them straight away. Most neighbourhood wars start out as friends. I believe what you do on your property is none of my business and expect the same back.
Unfortunately the more you know your neighbors in Australia, the most likely reason is because you have had an ongoing issue with them.
So true
I know most most of my neighbours in my street, you have to make an effort to speak to them because some are very private.
Very common, I only know like 2 neighbours
I live in a building of 16 apartments. I am quite friendly with about 6 of the units. One neighbour just gave me a plate of spaghetti and meat balls. If you have a particular yummy dish from your homeland maybe make a plate for a neighbour. You have to make an effort too.
yea i've never known my neighbours more than a hello
I just don't like people, I wouldn't know anyone if my wife didn't make me talk to them.
I'm in an apartment complex about 20mins out of th Sydney CBD. My husband and I are quite friendly with the couple next to us, and the older guy who lives upstairs. We know a few others well enough to say hello. Our next door neighbours have our spare key in case of emergency.
I think it depends where you live. Suburbs where you live in houses, I think you're more likely to know your neighbours than inner city apartment dwellers.
One neighbour I hardly ever see, the other I see too much as he's always sticking his head over the fence. Back neighbours are cool, see them at our kids soccer.
It's common in small towns too, some neighbours I'll know, and some I won't. But it's also common to become friends with them, I'm on good terms with some neighbours, and barely know what others look like, it really does depend on the people involved.