Are Neighbors Becoming Strangers in New York?

Think about your own neighborhood for a moment. Do you know the people who live next door? Do you talk to them once in a while, or mostly just wave when you happen to see them? I've lived at my current location for over 20 years and I don't know the neighbor two doors down. That's not good.

A new survey of more than 1,000 Americans says that people are spending less time getting to know their neighbors, and some are even going out of their way to avoid them.

Many People Avoid Talking to Their Neighbors

According to the survey, 1 in 3 Americans say they avoid their neighbors. There are a few reasons for that. Over 20% say they’re dealing with some kind of feud or disagreement, while others say they don’t enjoy small talk. It’s easy to see how people end up living side-by-side without really knowing each other.

Some People Feel Lonely in Their Own Neighborhoods

The survey found that many people feel disconnected, with nearly 75% of Americans saying they don’t feel a sense of community where they live. And almost 1 in 5 people saying they feel lonely in their neighborhood.

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Neighbor Disputes Are More Common Than You Might Think

The survey found that over 10% of people say they have been harassed by a neighbor, and about 13% say they’ve had to file a complaint or call the police because of a neighbor problem.

The “Borrow a Cup of Sugar” Days May Be Over

There used to be a time when people would knock on a neighbor’s door to borrow a cup of sugar. According to the survey, 70% of Americans would rather order something online or through a delivery service than ask a neighbor for help.

Younger Generations Feel Even Less Connected

The survey also found that younger adults are the least likely to connect with their neighbors. Nearly half of Gen Z respondents said they wouldn’t feel comfortable knocking on a neighbor’s door, even just to introduce themselves.