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Neighbours who would have (want) them!!!

(55 Posts)
HAZBEEN Thu 29-Mar-18 22:31:06

As some people may have read on another thread my father died 3 weeks ago and I have been staying with my daughter for the funeral etc. While I was away one of the neighbours rang my OH and said I have been told confidentially that you are moving in 2 days. My OH told her No and what had happened. Well I got back home on Sunday and tonight at 8pm the doorbell went same neighbour who says I heard through the grapevine you are moving, I say no but where did you hear that as OH has already told you no we are not. She says Oh dont know just the grapevine! I on the point of losing it say why do you ask that after OH has already told you. She says just wanted to check he is telling the truth!! And people wonder why I want to move away from these people!!!

mammabear Sun 01-Apr-18 10:26:33

I had nosy neighbours once, told them I was getting a pot bellied pig and a goat.....

Long story short they never asked what I was going to do with my large garden again!!!!

purplepansyem Sun 01-Apr-18 10:38:03

She sound like a right nosy bint. However, you don't want to fall out with her as problems with neighbours usually start over the smallest things and quickly escalate until there's no going back. Having had the most awful neighbours I can sympathise. If I were you, I would hold onto your dignity and smile and say hello but just don't tell her anything as she obviously wants to know all the gossip, probably so she can pass it on. I'm very sorry for your loss xxx

Yellowmellow Sun 01-Apr-18 10:47:06

I have great neighbours...but they are that...neighbours. We talk, most have ,lived here as long as me. One gets my bins in every week, because I work. If any of my neighbours are around they take parcels in, and I know if I needed help they would be there. No noise, bliss I have a few friends around here, but not immediate neighbours. my son tells me my house is too big for me...its only a 3 bed semi, and I should move. They dont understand when they are young, the importance of good neighbours. Im afraid im quite stubborn. If I think someone is being nosey...I tell them nothing....I wouldn't tell your neighbour a thing...I wouldnt even tell her if I was staying! Be vague and say you have no firm plans smile

JanaNana Sun 01-Apr-18 10:47:44

It sounds to me like she is a very nosey neighbour and has,nt seen you around while you were staying at your daughter's , has made this an excuse to try and find out your business. What a cheek. A few years ago we had to empty my husband's elderly aunts bungalow after her death, which belonged to a housing association. While we were in the thick of it a man and his wife, knocked at the front door and asked to be shown around the bungalow as they were going to "put in for it" themselves. They were not very happy when I said it was,nt convenient and would have to go through the normal channels after we had handed the keys in. The man was quite rude and said we only want a quick look to see what it's like. When I pointed out to him that you had to bid for properties now under a points system and as they lived on the same estate thought you would know that, he went bright red and garbled an excuse and they went away. These people just wanted to nosey around and tittle tattle with their neighbours. Our aunt had never liked them, and knew from her own experiences of them how nosey they were.

radicalnan Sun 01-Apr-18 10:51:01

She doesn't sound very bright. Just don't answer the door to her or her son, they will get the message.

grandtanteJE65 Sun 01-Apr-18 11:34:08

Sorry for your loss, Hazbeen, and for the annoyance caused by your neighbour. Try to ignore it.

Some neighbours are nice, others nasty. By and large, I have usually been fortunate with mine, but those who were not nice were a right pain in the neck!

luzdoh Sun 01-Apr-18 11:37:51

HAZBEEN I'm sorry to hear about your father. With the strange woman, I think you might have "bumped into an awkward person". This was what our team-leader, a Psychiatrist, used to say. It's terribly sad she has appeared just after your losing your father. Is she the only one or are there others the same?

In the village where I grew up I became very unhappy about the way people would listen to invented or exaggerated stories and spread them around. If someone had a grievance about another person it would grow into an enormous vendetta against them. When I went to uni I left for good. I think it does happen less now that people move around more.

If you want to move then do! However I wouldn't rush into a decision suddenly so soon after losing your father. But it doesn't hurt to start looking into it. I am looking at Rightmove these days as it happens!

Good luck my love, I do hope you meet some sensible people soon!

ajanela Sun 01-Apr-18 11:49:07

She sounds to me as if she could be on the autistic spectrum. Can't manage social interactions and says what she thinks. Remember a lot of young people have been disagnosed with being on the spectrum but a lot of older people have just been presumed as a bit strange. She may ask again.

I know you were not in a state to deal with this but maybe you could now treat it as a joke and if she comes knocking on the door again, say, "No we are not moving." before she asks.

Radicalnan I think the mother and son are in a different post and they make this lady sound almost normal.

HAZBEEN Sun 01-Apr-18 12:04:14

Thank you for your kind posts. I know I am a little bit fragile at the moment and of course it wasnt the ideal time to deal with this.
We have lived here for nearly 6 years and know almost all our neighbours, the only exceptions are the new tenants who have only moved in while I was away from home. Mostly they are a friendly enough bunch, we have had a communal BBQ for instance where everyone joined in, but one or two are a little more standoffish than others. She is one who doesnt normally want much to do with anyone but her "special " friends so why she should feel ok about ringing my OH then come knocking on my door is odd. As she is a bit older than me(!) I did (after I had calmed down!) wonder if there was something such as dementia there, so I made a point of asking one of her friends if she was ok when I bumped into them. They said she is fine but is now telling others I am moving! This person was quite taken back when I told her we werent as the first neighbour said I had told her all about it! Now what?

Irenelily Sun 01-Apr-18 12:40:04

My husband has just passed away in hospital. We live in a cul-de-sac around a small green space. My left hand neighbour who has two small children has always been helpful to me and my disabled husband. And this week I have been overwhelmed with kind messages, cards and flowers from her and my six closest neighbours. They used to see my husband going out on his mobility scooter and I feel very lucky and blessed to live among such lovely people!

Marieeliz Sun 01-Apr-18 12:45:54

I have a fairly new neighbour who I have had problems with. I would like too move. Unfortunately, the neighbours I moved here with, when the houses were built, in the 60s are all dyeing off. They had a similar outlook to me and we lived similar lives.

I have been looking for a bungalow perhaps a part share. The strange thing is they are advertised and the agent never takes them down from the site even after they have been sold 12 months or more.

Went to walk past one yesterday, someone leaving the property with stuff for the tip. So I asked "was it still for sale" no it was sold to my friend 18 months ago. It is still up for sale on Reads Reins website!

Hazbeen I think the poster who said she thought you may be splitting up has hit the nail on the head.

wilygran Sun 01-Apr-18 13:23:41

When my aunt died she left curious instructions for us not under any circumstances to take any of her clothes (which were lovely, she was a professional dressmaker) to the local charity shop but to take everything to the next town! And we soon discovered the reason - immediately we got to her flat after she had died at the cottage hospital, her neighbour knocked on the door asking to take all of auntie's things! Some people are unbelievable!

sarahellenwhitney Sun 01-Apr-18 13:45:22

What a cheek. I would feel like saying' When and if I should decide to move you have my guarantee of being the first to know.

glammanana Sun 01-Apr-18 14:22:47

Some neighbours are unbelievable,in our small cul-de-sac one of the ladies was taken into hospital in January and after 4/5 weeks we had people from the local area knocking on our door asking if the bungalow was vacant ??
I agree the area is sought after but to show some manners and respect is not to much to ask is it.

Esspee Sun 01-Apr-18 15:06:28

I have very nosey neighbours. If anything is out of the ordinary (someone not opening the blinds in the morning for example) they spring into action. First the phone goes, then if no answer other neighbours are contacted to find out if the person had said they were going away. They are wonderful, kind and helpful. There have been a couple of instances of elderly neighbours on their own being rescued thanks to concern when "things are not quite normal". One lady was unfortunately dead but at least she didn't lie for long as the police were called and an entry forced.
Yes, they know my business but in a caring and friendly way.
I am so happy to have them and I have joined the club.

GreenGran78 Sun 01-Apr-18 15:23:54

My mother was very kind and helpful to an elderly neighbour who only had nephews and nieces who never visited her. When the old lady died, they knocked on her door. Not to thank her for being so caring, or to offer her a keepsake. No! They wanted to know if my Mum had any of the old lady's pension money, that she used to collect for her.
She was so upset to think that she could be suspected of dishonesty. The relations, who couldn't be bothered to visit the lady when she was alive were there, picking over her possessions, almost before she was cold. There are some horrible people in the world!

Solitaire Sun 01-Apr-18 16:04:13

Esspee and Irenelily your neighbours sound lovely and mine are the same, taking 'a concerned interest' rather than 'nosy'.
So sorry about your OH Irene flowers

palliser65 Sun 01-Apr-18 16:07:27

Sound bonkers. Haven't they anything else to do. Just carry on with your own life and keep contact to taking in parcels and Christmas cards. Always worked for us (up to now).

Tooyoungytobeagrandma Sun 01-Apr-18 16:18:20

Our neighbours are OK and I have regularly pet sat for both sides. The one is a bit nosey but I just give bare minimum info. My oh was selling his mother's house and the neighbours there were a nightmare kept asking if sold, to whom and to make sure he considered them when accepting an offer. In the end he told the one particularly nosey one that they were thinking of accepting an offer from anow eastern European gent who wanted to rent to workers! Annoying how some people think they have the right to tell you how to conduct your own business wink

FlorenceN Sun 01-Apr-18 16:50:31

I have always been very lucky with my neighbours. It's a very small street, we aren't in and out of each other's houses but we all help out if and when needed. Good neighbours are worth their weight in gold.

wot Sun 01-Apr-18 19:51:19

Although I rue the fact that there are not many neighbours around me, perhaps that's a good thing!! Ps...I am quite nosy.

Brendaj Sun 01-Apr-18 21:21:57

I lost my husband 2 years ago and have been living on my own ever since.My neighbors who are in their fifties have not even called around once to see if I am alright.
I do not know what is up with people.It is certainly a lot different than it was when I was a child people seemed to care then.Does anybody else agree with me?

wot Sun 01-Apr-18 22:57:43

Absolutely agree.

blue60 Sun 01-Apr-18 23:05:58

I am so sorry to read about the loss of your father.

People can be so insensitive and downright rude! You must do what is best for you, but now is not the time to be thinking of an upheaval. Your feelings are raw. Ignore her if you can - do not answer the door if she knocks or rings the bell; avoid conversations & do not pick up the phone if you know it is her.

Your priority right now is YOU. Be kind to yourself, acknowledge your feelings and allow yourself time to grieve.

I send you love and best wishes. x

mehimthem Sun 01-Apr-18 23:25:16

My dear Mum is in her late 80's & has some nice-ish neighbours who I appreciate keep an eye out for her, but in little ways Mum is starting to feel as if she lives in a fish bowl. They (lady neighbour) is often flicking the curtains to check who is visiting & often "pops" over to say hello too while Mums visitors are still there. Latelytoo Mum has had a few medical events requiring ambulance assistance. & she has a necklace button to call for help & I am the next on the list to be advised. But we are now finding helpful (not so much smile ) lady neighbour is in floods of tears bawling her eyes out & getting in the way, apparently deeply distraught that DM is dying. (hopefully not just yet says me ) The supportive neighbour ends up being supported by my DM as she waits for her ambulance. I think that sometimes no help is better than help offered but with complications