[zijax]

I just rented this cute house. It's private and in a decent neighborhood. I had to move because I previously was in a huge apartment complex with these terrible freaky neighbors on pain killers who were stalking me and calling me bad names. It's a long story with the police coming and everything. Anyway I had to break my lease and move due to personal safety concerns. So I get to my new place. Been here four days and last night my new neighbor knocks on door. Says he's a pastor/counselor and asks who all lives here with me and am i married and tells me he knows the owner and he's part of the neighborhood watch and he hasn't seen what goes on over here because his garage blocked the view. Ok to me, this is some wierd ****. Oh and he peers over my head like he's trying to see in my place. I' m just polite but offer very little info and don't invite him in. My trust in people after the last incident is fractured. I just want my privacy. I hope this guy leaves me alone. He said his wife would be coming by. He's older. He wrote my name down in a notebook I guess so he could remember it. I didn't give him my last name. Is it me or was this weird?

[still_crazy]

not just you, lol...weird.

But, could be worse. Looks like you've moved into a place with a sense of community and some social bonds going. That's usually a good thing.

[Skeezyks]

Sounds pretty strange to me... oh... & nosy too. I probably wouldn't open the door for these neighbors again.

[Coffeee]

When my neighbors were nosy I just had all my curtains drawn and listened to music with headphones, car out of sight. Volia: they never knew I was there

The neighbors flanking me to my left are a VERY nice Mormon couple....they came over and introduced themselves and brought us bear sausage from his recent hunting trip. They are great people and have asked lots of questions over the years. They have a seriously handicapped daughter as well as one with Chronic illness and I think they are just protective. They been known to go to neighbors houses and complain about various things ha but they seem harmless. Actually they are very cool. An older gentlemen a few houses down pulled a gun on my son and his friend when they were young and threatened them. We tried to talk it over but it's obvious this man has issues so I've left it alone. He yelled obscenities to my husband and him when we drive by.

Yes, what happened to you is weird in that it's not the norm, but I bet he meant well. I know what you mean about needing privacy as I'm a shut in....that would have made me nervous too..... but I bet he meant well and was trying to be neighborly. People often peak into your home as a ploy to get you to invite them in....it's not always nosiness though that happens to.

[DechanDawa]

I was part of a Neighborhood Watch group in California. It was actually great. We got the cops to raid a house on the street we suspected was being used for drug dealing. (It was!) I got to know my neighbors and through it the street felt very safe. Some Neighborhood Watch people take their responsibilities a little too far. I think you should just be honest and say that you came from a situation that was less than positive and now you desire a little privacy as you settle into your new home. From your description I see no reason to be unfriendly. Just frank.

[mindwrench]

I've lived in neighborhoods where your car has cinder block wheels the next morning, and I've lived in ones where people brought loaves of banana bread. I like my privacy, and prefer the neighbors to stay out of my yard, and off my porch. That being said since moving here last December, I know more of my neighbors than any place I've lived since I was a kid. Not on purpose, they are just outgoing neighbors. I do find a little comfort in knowing they are nearby.

I take comfort in having a good relationship with a few of my neighbors....ya never know when you might need someone and I like knowing my neighbors would feel comfortable coming to me if they need help. I live in a mildly impoverished area but it's quiet and peaceful on my block.

[DechanDawa]

It's great when neighbors are friendly but not too nosy. I moved to a new place and have that situation. Several neighbors have greeted me as we come and go and it gives me a nice feeling. But someone knocking on my door and peering over my shoulder into my place would be a bit much. I hope the OP will set some friendly but firm boundaries so that he can get down to the "serious" business of enjoying his cute new house.

Yeah, trust your instincts, that sounded really weird. Maybe he takes the neighborhood watch thing very seriously and was collecting intelligence about your household. Why am I making excuses for him? He sounds really creepy.

People are nosy and weird. We had an electrician do some work for us a couple months ago who seemed kind of special, and the first day he showed up, on a Sunday, he asked me point-blank why we hadn't gone to church that morning. I was so surprised, I blurted out, "'Cause I'm a Jew!" and he had no further questions.

Originally Posted by Lefty the Salesman

Yeah, trust your instincts, that sounded really weird. Maybe he takes the neighborhood watch thing very seriously and was collecting intelligence about your household. Why am I making excuses for him? He sounds really creepy.

People are nosy and weird. We had an electrician do some work for us a couple months ago who seemed kind of special, and the first day he showed up, on a Sunday, he asked me point-blank why we hadn't gone to church that morning. I was so surprised, I blurted out, "'Cause I'm a Jew!" and he had no further questions.

that made me chuckle

[DechanDawa]

Some people do take the neighborhood watch thing very seriously. The "captain" on my street wanted me to secretly photograph the house across the street that we suspected was a drug dealer house. I told the "captain" I had no intention of hiding behind my curtain snapping photos! He was a retired Navy guy with too much time on his hands is all. That said our neighborhood wasn't "upscale" and I had young kids so I put up with some weirdness from the neighborhood watch people.

[Cocosurviving]

I agree with DechanDawa....set boundaries. I'm ok with speaking and even knowing each other's names. But I don't even want my neighbors to know where I work (if that applied to me...I'm on disability). At my last job I worked for an insurance company. Our office was far out so there was no way I would run into one of my neighbors. I'm not a mean person I just like keeping to myself. I don't like people around my apartment especially uninvited. He introduced hisself I would just tell him you like keeping to yourself and thank him for his time...tell him goodbye