I have new neighbors

[Coyote_Bandit]

I've met them but rarely see them. I don't know their names or phone numbers. That makes it difficult to say anything to them. They are very young and it is apparent (based on some of their questions and comments) that they have never been responsible for maintaining a home and living in a neighborhood before.

The two houses are L shaped and the two L's open into each other. I have one door that opens into my backyard. That door is directly across from their master bedroom. They've lived there for nearly a month now and have yet to close their curtains. And they don't close the blinds in the bathroom either. Ick. All I have to do to see the show is to sit on my patio. The show is even "better" from my small deck which is slightly elevated. Yes, there is a privacy fence. I'm wishing it was a few feet taller these days.

I'm usually up a couple of hours later than these neighbors. Last thing I do before going to bed is take the doggies out. There is a motion detector light on the patio outside my living area that comes on when we go out - and which makes it possible to see in the yard. THe previous occupants said it never bothered them over the past eight years. Of course, they closed their curtains. I can't imagine the light doesn't shine into that open bedroom. Oh well. Whatever.

Their house has a two car garage with a double wide driveway - and a second single width driveway for additional parking. Two occupants and a total of two vehicles. Yet one of the two occupants has co-opted my curb as their regular parking place. I wouldn't mind if this was an occasional thing. It's not. Yesterday that vehicle was there for nearly 24 hours without being moved. When it leaves it is for bref periods.

I'm watering the lawn this morning - and while I am trying to avoid run-off there is probably some overspray creating water spots on the shiny truck parked on my curb. I've got several chemical treatments planned for the lawn over the next week or so. Not to mention mowing and trimming. Nothing unusual about any of that. I left a note on the windshield indicating all of this was going to occur. It did not affect where the vehicle was parked. I'll try to avoid the urge to park on their curb for no good reason. Not sure how successful that will be.

Could be a whole lot worse. Still, I think these new neighbors require some training. Suggestions?

[NJmaverick]

1. Do you ever see them outside?

you could strike up a conversation if you do. Start out with small talk. Then you can ask them if your light bothers them at night? This would show some concern and give you a natural opening for the close your curtains talk. Same with the truck, you can apologize for the water spots and lead into, "why don't you use your driveway" sort of conversation. Better to try and start off on a good note. If you don't see them and they are still relatively new, you could bring them a cake or some other token welcome to the neighborhood gift.

[Coyote_Bandit]

2. When they first moved in

I went and introduced myself and gave contact information in case they ever needed to call about anything. They know my name and how to contact me. They did not respond in kind. I met only the owner - not the housemate.

The only time I have ever seen either of them outside I have taken the initiative to talk with them. And I have given them various small household and lawn items and offered the use of some lawn care equipment they did not have.

I don't hink they are intentionally irritating. I think they are clueless.

One seems to work a regular 8 to 5 Monday through Friday job. The other keeps very irregular hours and apparently is a housemate not a homeowner - and a college student I suspect. I work from home and am typically gone most evenings and much of the weekend. I rarely see the guy who I know owns the home. I have never met the second occupant and do not know his/her name or gender - just their vehicle.

[NJmaverick]

3. With the bedroom show you don't know the other person's gender

hmmm. seriously I guess there are some subtle hints, like making it a point to water the lawn near your curb as often as possible. In time they should get the hint.

[Coyote_Bandit]

4. You assume

the two occupants share the same bedroom. They don't.

[NJmaverick]

5. ahhhh... OK, my bad