Man Moved Into a Quaint Neighborhood for Serenity, But the War Over Backyard Privacy Turned His Quiet Life Into a Hollywood Drama.

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In a quaint neighborhood devoid of fences, the Original Poster (OP) navigates a privacy dispute with a nosy neighbor upon moving into a corner house. With a six-foot fence and privacy hedge that fail to obstruct the neighbor’s prying eyes fully, the tension between privacy and community openness crescendos.

A New Beginning

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OP relocates to a corner house in a pleasant neighborhood with an unusual lack of fences. The house is situated on a square lot with a small backyard, which sits adjacent to the sunroom of a neighbor’s house. Despite the community’s openness, OP plans to put up trees and a fence for privacy and the safety of his dogs and child.

The Arrival

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The day after moving in, OP erects a six-foot privacy fence around his property to provide privacy and containment for his family. The neighbors welcome OP, seemingly unperturbed by the new partition added to the neighborhood.

The Unexpected Discord

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Following the installation of the fence, the sunroom neighbor posts pictures of OP’s house, fence, and yard, expressing displeasure at the new barrier. They express a wish for an HOA to prevent such structures. Despite other fences in the neighborhood, OP’s proximity to the sunroom draws the neighbor’s ire.

Anticipating Spring

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With winter conditions unsuitable for planting, OP must wait until spring to plant 15-foot arborvitae trees as a privacy hedge. The trees would be an additional barrier to the fence and block a significant amount of sun from reaching the neighbor’s house. In the meantime, tension between OP and the neighbor continues to brew.

A Nosy Neighbor

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The sunroom neighbor’s constant vigilance is revealed through their online posts, showing they often observe wildlife in other neighbors’ yards. The upcoming addition of trees threatens to obstruct their view of OP’s yard.

The Fence Line Progresses

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As spring comes, the work on the fence line advances, with no comment from the intrusive neighbor. The silence from the neighbor’s end raises questions and expectations. The lack of feedback leaves OP uncertain about the neighbor’s reaction to the added privacy measures.

A Veiled Watcher

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It emerges that the neighbor is keeping a watchful eye on OP’s yard despite the ongoing changes. They inquire about matters on OP’s property that are not their concern, showcasing a persistent intrusive curiosity.

A Slow-growing Shield

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OP finds that the fence and trees do not block the view of their yard as much as expected. His property is left vulnerable to the prying eyes of the neighbor. The hope is that, with time, the trees will grow to provide the desired privacy.

A Year to Wait

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OP realizes that achieving the desired privacy might take until the following year. The partial visibility of the yard to the neighbor’s sunroom continues to be a concern. OP is at a loss for how to protect his privacy in the meantime.

A Provocative Plan

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Despite the unfulfilled expectation of immediate privacy, OP decides to continue with their plan. The full installment of the trees will eventually block most of the sunlight from reaching the neighbor’s house.

The Inevitable Showdown

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While the neighbor has yet to directly confront OP about the fence or trees, their consistent interest in OP’s yard suggests an imminent clash. The neighbor’s voyeuristic tendencies continue unabated, setting the stage for an inevitable showdown.

A New Obstacle

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Just as things seem to settle, an unexpected obstacle emerges: the arborvitae trees are not growing as fast as anticipated. The delay in the growth of the trees prolongs OP’s wait for privacy. The hope for immediate respite from the intrusive neighbor is dashed.

A Renewed Attempt

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Undeterred by the slow growth of the trees, OP decides to take further measures. They add additional shrubs to the fence line, aiming to fast-track the privacy process. This move marks a renewed attempt in the fight for privacy.

Consequences of the Conflict

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Feeling threatened by the looming blockade, the neighbor attempts to rally support from the other neighbors against OP. However, the community’s response is mixed, further complicating the scenario. The conflict has begun to affect the entire neighborhood’s dynamics.

A Surprising Revelation

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The sunroom neighbor files a formal complaint against OP’s fence and trees with the local city council turning their conflict into an official matter. OP must now prepare to defend his rights to privacy and property.

Was The Man’s Behavior Appropriate?

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OP posts his story online for feedback. The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter. Here are some of their responses:

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “Imagine if all the houses put up 16-foot fences? No one would get any sunlight. At least talk to them about other solutions. Maybe a translucent privacy screen?”

Another Commenter Thinks

Another responder wrote, “It’s your property. A word of caution, make sure you have your plots and measurements triple-checked before building or planting anything new since the neighbor may have way too much time on their hands.”

A Third View on The Story

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A different person stated, “Plant your trees, then post about looking forward to the wildlife they will attract. Maybe even put up a few bird boxes. Enjoy the privacy.”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another reader commented, “Your yard is exactly like mine- a square corner lot with the house in the middle. We put up a fence since we have a dog, and most neighbors said it looked nice, and a few complained. I always say you’re not paying my mortgage, so I’ll do what I want.”