What neighbours do for each other

[pmsmechanic]

So I thought it would be interesting to read about good neighbours.

So in our case this is some of what we do for each other. If my driveway is snowed in and I'm not home I have several neighbours that I can phone to come and clear the driveway for my wife. I am also one of those neighbours that will come and clear your driveway for you when I'm home.

We keep an eye out on each others property's to make sure nothing is out of place. Like lights left on in implements standing in the field. Or if someone is helping them selves to gas or what ever when they shouldn't be. Ie. stealing.

One neighbour lady has chickens just for the joy of having chickens. A by product of having chickens is eggs. We get all the eggs we need for free.

Some of the neighbours feel free enough to come and borrow tools etc. even when I'm not home. Usually I get a phone call but sometimes all see is a note on the work bench that so and so borrowed what ever. They'll return it in a few days after they are done with it.

Just thought that this might be an interesting topic. I'll probably add a few more ideas as I think of them.

 

[MossRoad]

When we lived in town, we lived on a corner. Our neighbor would mow our side yard so it would be the same height as his. He'd also weed and feed it. They were elderly. So in winter, I'd snowblow his sidewalks, his driveway in the alley, and the alley all the way to the corner. We'd also watch each other's houses when someone went out of town. He'd take me fishing and the 4 of us would take rides on Sundays. It got around that I knew how to repair TVs, so I'd repair all of the older people on the block TVs for free. There was also an old gentleman that lived several houses down who I mowed his lawn, and his girlfriend's lawn just because they were too old to do it themselves.

In our current house, all of the neighbors (about 7-8 of them) know each other, talk to each other, watch each other's houses, and help if needed. We borrow and/or share yard tools.

It's nice being part of a community.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Sounds like an idyllic world there where you live. Here not so much. Nothing bad, I just wouldn't want anyone coming onto my property and getting what they wanted to borrow etc. I would want them to ask me up front first. I would pretty much say yes, but its knowing...

As for doing for the neighbors, absolutely I would/have helped neighbors. I hadn't needed anything so it has only been a one way street thus far, but I am ok with that.

I do keep an eye out for my neighbors and they for my property and if something is suspicious its communicated to each other.

I do remember the days of people coming over and sitting on the front porches and miss it. It's a busy world out there so I understand that too.

 

[deserteagle71]

I have elderly neighbors next door living on 20 acres with a few goats but they grow a huge garden every year. But they have no tractor so every summer I mow about 5 of their acres as wildfire control, and if we have a big snowfall I plow their driveway (1/4 mile long) and areas around their house and garage. And whenever they need trees taken out or trimmed, I come over with my chainsaws. In return I'm well supplied with fresh produce from their garden and canned veggies also. The dill pickles they make are wonderful!

And yes, we keep an eye on each other's properties. Whenever I'm leaving for one of my extended trips I let them know. And vice versa.

 

[NorTracNY]

I had a few good neighbors when we first moved in, but they have since moved or passed on. One would always come over on his lawn mower. He'd mow both sides of my long driveway as he came and left. I was the one with the big tractor, so I helped them with little projects every so often. Two of them helped me build my deck. Compost we produced was delivered to them whenever they wanted. One of their kids baby sat for mine and when mine were old enough, they took care of their pets when they were away.

Sadly, now there is little contact with the current neighbors in the area. I rarely see anyone outside their homes and I have just one's phone number.

 

[B7510HSD]

When I travel South for 2 months during the winter my neighbor drives my driveway everyday to keep an eye on my place! Can't get any better neighbors.

 

[jmc]

Good thread.

 

[RjCorazza]

I occasionally watch "Neighbor Wars" on TV, and am grateful for the neighbors that we have.

 

[FullMetalBucket]

I love to fire up the smoker with a nice pastrami or brisket and give them something nice to smell . Sometimes I’ll cook bacon out on the flattop on the deck.

Seriously though I’ve will snow blow driveways if I’m out and already dressed. Last storm I did 3 neighbors driveways.

The biggest thing I do is respect their property and hope they return the favor. That’s really the only rule people need to get along.

 

[ning]

One side neighbor, I tried to be neighborly when he moved in and offered to help with his water system (well -> holding tank -> pump -> house) which was having problems. He basically ignored me; I tried. He moved but has renters which don't show their faces...
Back neighbor I've mentioned before, he likes? to start burn piles he can't immediately control. Hasn't burned the place down yet. I wouldn't lend him tools for what should be obvious reasons.

New neighbors on the other side though are very nice, and I've volunteered and helped a few times already since they moved in last year. Particularly, pulling big scotch broom plants in their meadow... it's not altruism though as those will "infect" my land .They're super busy with a bunch of kids+work but regardless I don't expect anything in return, but they're nice to talk to here and there, very friendly - that's worth a lot IMO.

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

I rarely see anyone outside their homes and I have just one's phone number.

That is how our neighbors are also, we are the oldest but we are outside all the time, even in the winter.

The biggest thing I do is respect their property and hope they return the favor. That’s really the only rule people need to get along.

One neighbor does construction and was in Alabama for about 10 months about 2 years ago, but his wife was home, I mowed his yard with his zero turn 3 times and plowed the snow in his driveway about 6 times and brought my John Deere over to haul a couple 6’ drifts away from his house.

I don’t even think I got a thank you

This past summer he was gone about a month and another neighbor mowed it once and when the neighbor got back he bought him a $70 bottle of whiskey.

 

[Bad Boy Biker]

Mine hired a tree company with a bucket truck to trim their trees. Then had them extend the bucket 6' over my fence and cut my trees off. So, I now have 6' tall stumps where my trees used to be. They hate trees and spend hours every day walking their yard pulling and poising weeds. They have cut down all but 2 trees on their acre. Their yard is a green desert.

 

[ning]

Mine hired a tree company with a bucket truck to trim their trees. Then had them extend the bucket 6' over my fence and cut my trees off. So, I now have 6' tall stumps where my trees used to be. They hate trees and spend hours every day walking their yard pulling and poising weeds. They have cut down all but 2 trees on their acre. Their yard is a green desert.

Sounds like a lawsuit to me

 

[woody]

I've been nick named the grave digger I guess I have buried animals for about 8 of my neighbors, dug a ditch for a septic tank line, dug up and unclogged a septic tank line, dug a drainage ditch, done several small electrical jobs for differant folks. Moved a large dog house today twice.

 

[ning]

Moved a large dog house today twice.

tell that dog to make up his mind!

 

[2515R Dude]

Yea, i had a great neighbor. When two weeks ago about 4 inches of snow fall down, next morning i saw him driving his tractor and clearing my 1/4 mile driveway. As soon as the snow melted i saw he took a big chunk of the blacktop. Now i'm at least $2k out to fix it and cannot complain, he meant well. Great neighbor!

I let them cut my field for hay for free. They take about 90 5ft bales each year. I sharpen and fix all their chainsaws. My wife always gives them half a loaf of bread when she bakes it. I give them cottage cheese and regular cheese when i make some. I trap fox and coyotes to safe their chickens and cattle and groundhogs when they dig under their house and multiple barns.
They give us 18 eggs every two weeks. LOL.... and brake our blacktop. Also, i needed to make a trench for a powerline to my detached garage. I clearly marked where it should be. He came with his ditch witch( which was not in working condition and i spent two days bringing it to life), but for some reason he decided to cut the corner and cut my gas line. Another $200 of damage and 2 days without gas ( it was Saturday). Cannot complain, he tried to help

 

[9973720wb19]

Familiarity Breeds Contempt...I waive and keep to myself & my business...unless anyone is hurt.

Case in point, watch that TV show "Fear Thy Neighbor" It always starts out great but ends very badly.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

At my property I essentially have to drive my neighbors driveway to get to my land, so I try to tread lightly and be helpful whenever I can. It is an easement so that is my right but I still try to tread lightly. If they need something I help out. For instance a tree fell across the driveway in a storm so I came over with my chainsaw and tractor and cleaned it up. They really have no tools to accomplish things of that nature. They are a little on the lazy side (their 3 grown kids still live with them), so I usually take it upon myself to trim the bushes back from the driveway in the summer when they encroach. We are cordial and they know they can call on me if they need help, I would like to keep it that way.

At the house same thing, everyone gets along well. My one neighbor stores his 2 trailers at my property. He is an HVAC guy so it is good to stay on his good side. They moved from out of town about 7 years ago now. I introduced them to a bunch of people I know, now that is their main friend group. The people behind me are in their 70's so I help whenever I can and watch out for them. The guy 2 doors down I don't really get along with, he is a bit of a Karen. Ain't nobody got time for that!

 

[Gem99ultra]

I had always been taught that neighbors should be neighborly. Good rule of thumb - with exceptions. I once had a good neighbor that I often helped, and received help from him. His main problem was that he had NO tools. So I seemed to become his tool supplier.

That was initially no problem in my mind. In fact, it became so regular that I finally gave him a key to my tool shop as a convenience. Then... one day it happened. I had a problem that I needed to fix immediately. When I went to get my tools, I realized that I was missing about half of what I needed.

My good neighbor happened to not be a home but I needed to check and see if perhaps he was using the tools that I needed at that time. So, I went into his garage through the back door, and VIOLA! There sat about half of my tool supply! My tools had mysteriously became HIS tools.

After loading up my tools (in my wheelbarrow that he had abconded) I re-stocked my half-empty tool room. Upon his return home, I made a visit with that good neighbor expressing my disappointment in his actions and recoved the key to my tool room. In additon, I made myself a new rule - Never lend out my tools.

I'm always quick to help out friends and neighbors, or just about anyone as a matter of fact, but loaning my tools is off the table.

 

[Carl_NH]

We are fortunate to have great neighbors - more like family that we all help each other. We all have tools but share between each other if something is needed. Lumber, tools, hardware, etc, for a fix when we dont want to run to HD etc, i'm the fix it guy - engines, wleding etc, another guy has bigger machines, and is a contractor so he helps out with building stuff or just a helping hand,

Respect is the key, and they text me if they need something or borrow a tool, we plow each others drive if one of us is away, I pick up leaves in the fall with the leaf vac etc,

If someone goes out of their way, its reciprocated with a bottle of something, cookies, stew, or other goodies.