Neighbor is Not Happy With Me

[Haneyrm]

I am building a new home in middle Tennessee and decided to go over an introduce myself to my new neighbors this past weekend. I did not get three words out of my mouth when my new neighbor proceeds to tell me how displeased he is with the siting and orientation of my new home. He is used to having an open field next to him and now there is a house there. He told me that the "country" thing to have done would have to included him in the decision making process on where to site my home. My options were very limited where I could locate my house because of the terrain and I was completely unaware that I should have asked my neighbor if it was o.k. to build a house in that location on my property. In the summer time, we cannot see each others houses because of the leaves on the trees. Now that it is winter, we can easily see each other. Keep in mind that these two houses are at least 750 feet apart. I admit that I am not a deeply rooted country man. I grew up in a very rural part of southern Maryland but have lived in Tampa, Florida for the past 15 years. Have I committed a country faux pas or is my neighbor just venting. I would really like to befriend the guy and his family but it is not looking good at this point. I have committed to planting 6 white pine trees to help further screen the houses which will help immensely in the winter.

In addition, I have three miniature donkeys that I will be keeping at the house. His reaction to that was just as negative. He told me that I was city folk that was trying to blend into the country life and that I had no idea what I was doing. This is from a guy that apparently despises livestock of any type and drives a BMW. I am not familiar with a hatred of livestock and love for BMW's being "country" attributes.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The city part of me wants to tell the guy to go fly a kite and that I am going to do whatever I want to do regardless of what he thinks. But I am just not like that and would like to be a good neighbor and friend to this guy.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Gator6x4]

I would start checking the property for discarded items and trash. Sounds like you have taken away the poor fellows dump. If he says anymore about it, ask him if he got your permission prior to building on his property.

 

[randy41]

around here country means myob. do what ever you want. its your land.

 

[tony123]

Oh, this will be a fun one!

I'm at work and can't type right now, but this topic hits home with me.

In short, he sounds like a shmuck. I would go to length to help his concerns if he had a better attitude. But with this attitude??? I wouldn't give him the time of day.

Long version to follow.

 

[MikePA]

Have I committed a country faux pas or is my neighbor just venting.

No. Your neighbor is an idiot. You don't have to justify how you situated your house on your land. If you want to plant pine trees, by all means, but not to please your neighbor. If he doesn't want to see you let him plant the trees.

Oh, everyone, please remember TBN is a Family Friendly Site.

 

[MossRoad]

The "country thing" to do was he should have come over to your place the fist day he saw activity and welcomed you to the neighborhood.

You have done nothing wrong. Enjoy your new home and ignore the neighbor. Plant trees to shield the view between the two of you and that will be that.

 

[firemanpat2910]

build a good strong fence, double check your survey. live and let ......

 

[Sigarms]

Part of the reason why we bought extra land with our house is so that no one could build around us.

You neighbor should of done the same thing.

As mentioned, your neighbor sounds like a idiot.

 

[Trainer]

This sounds like someone that you can't please no matter what. Do what you want. It is your property. Stay within the restrictions set by the county. If you are irritating enough, you could get a new and better neighbor. You could get some rusty scrap tin and put up a privacy fence along your property line. That will help improve relations.

 

[Red55]

Do the ah schucks routine bring him over a bottle and tell him for now on you'll check with him before you do anything. You are right you did nothing wrong BUT banging heads (especially while building) is something you don't have the time for. Being right doesn't mean a thing if he decides to call the powers to be (ie building dept, epa, health dept etc) every time he sees an opportunity. P.S. you might want to down size that house you're building and sell pronto. Isn't that why you moved out to the country? to get away from those xxxxx. -Ed