Four houses on my street recently sold. One was my 86 year old girlfriend’s home. Another was my 83 year old girlfriend’s home. The third and fourth are elderly neighbor’s whose moved into assisted living facilities. I knew all of these people from interactions during my dog walks and occasional chatting outside.
Having lived in my house now for 6 years, I’ve observed that people move all the time. I’d estimate that more than 25 homes within a 3 block radius have sold while I’ve lived here. Some people left due to illness, some died, some relocated for family, some for new jobs, some for “upgrading” and some for retirement. Many others I never learned the reason why.
I used to think it was just me. Now I realize that’s because I moved every 2-4 years, never staying in any location long enough to see the turnover.
The first time a house in my neighborhood sold I was excited thinking I might meet a new neighbor and make a friend. Now that I’ve seen so many people come and go, I’ve been disabused of that notion. For the most part, my neighbors keep to themselves. With few exceptions, I rarely see them except when they pull their car into and out of their garage. I’m mildly curious to meet my new neighbors but have zero expectations of any friendships developing. I’m not interested in making friends anyway.
It is interesting to me to compare what it was like when I was a child and a teenager vs. what it is like today. Back then, it seemed like we got to know all of our neighbors. We’d help them move in, drop off food, introduce ourselves, and invite each other over for cookouts, parties and hanging out.
I wonder how much of this had to do with us all being poor back then, having only 3 TV stations and no central A/C. Our houses were densely packed. We all hung out on our porches – young and old. We did our own chores like lawn mowing, car washing and home repairs. We went to the same schools , shopped at the same stores and worked for the same employers.
Where I live today is much nicer in many ways. It’s a middle-class suburb filled with white collar professionals and retirees, many whom I would consider wealthy based on their homes and cars. We all also have ubiquitous entertainment via the Internet, our phones and our screens.
I wonder sometimes if I lived in a lower class neighborhood if I’d recapture the neighborliness and community I had when I was younger or if technology and society has shifted so much that I wouldn’t.
If I ever move again to a smaller town, I might find out. Right now, I don’t miss that anywhere near enough to consider leaving.