Duplex - Trouble with the Neighbor

Our property was an orchard for three generations. All the neighbors had been eager for it for decades and were just waiting for it to be sold.
We happened to find out that the now 85-year-old owner wanted to sell and got in touch with her.
Since we wanted to close the deal immediately, we offered to pay above the market price and eventually got the approval.

You can imagine the mood among the neighbors when they found out that people from outside the community had bought the property.
They were already criticized before the construction project even started and before they had the chance to introduce themselves...

hehe, for me it was exactly the opposite with the price.....

It was a bit crazy how I got my property, long story.

In the end, I bought it below market price, and the neighbor, who is the cousin but they both can't stand each other, was really pissed off about it; he complained to the neighbors.

"That idiot, he sold the property way too cheap, that really pisses me off."

My wife and I also want to fulfill our dream of a single-family house. However, we still need a plot of land and are looking for one with a size of 450-600 sqm, as we want to keep the garden as low-maintenance as possible. Sometimes I am overcome by the desire to take a lonely and huge plot at the end of the world to completely avoid people.

Basically, I always fluctuate strongly between introversion and extroversion. I will certainly be a surprise for future neighbors as well.


I know a situation similar to yours. Once he has set his sights on you, it will last for decades. So make sure he learns his boundaries early and that the matter is resolved. Choleric retirees can be really no fun. Then birthdays, shared World Cup evenings, and other celebrations will quickly be accompanied by police from 10 p.m. onwards.

One demanded the trimming of some blades of grass at the fence,

Grass that grows over may be smoked by the neighbor.

I think the idea of introducing yourself and offering cake or something as compensation to the neighbors before the construction starts is already good.

Possibly in standard German, because the Berliners might be a little allergic to Swabian, you know?

Can only hope that Berliners are generally a bit more relaxed.

That’s not quite the same any more as when the Berliner was still an islander. In which district do you live then?

It was a bit crazy how I got my property, long story

Spill it, the night is still young

Sometimes I get the urge to take a lonely and huge piece of land at the end of the world to completely avoid people.

But don’t forget: not only “we” have neighbors, we also are neighbors to others. It’s not like only the others are mean or loud, make a mess, or could take better care of their property. No, in many respects, we are certainly a thorn in the side of some as well.

Possibly in High German, maybe Swabian, the Berliners are somewhat allergic to that, you know?

Hehe, good thing I'm not Swabian. Not a native Berliner either, but this hare has been running through the forest so long that he can show many a fox the way.

That's not quite the same as when the Berliner was still an islander. In which district are you moving?

Yes, that's true, genuine Berliners are not as common anymore. They are probably more found in Swabia and Hesse. I am moving to Kaulsdorf. From my experience so far, it’s quite a good mix there. Long-established Berliners who divide their lots and build on them alongside newcomers. I’m curious to see how it will continue.

also are we neighbors to others.

Oh God. I don’t want to know what they think of me when that crazy old lady is again building some crazy wooden towers in the front yard with her baggy pants and dirty gloves, hauling sand and stones from A to B, or stroking and talking to the lime tree.