Americans Share Their Wildest Conflicts With Neighbors
Living next door doesn't always mean living in peace. Whether overgrown lawns, mysterious smells, or suspicious activities, neighbors across America have shared their wildest conflicts with the people living near them. In a recent survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Newsweek, 1,000 U.S. adults were asked about the most intense or unusual disputes they've had with neighbors. The responses ranged from mildly annoying to outright bizarre, highlighting just how many ways tension can brew between property lines.
What Are Americans Fighting About?
The list of grievances paints a vivid picture of the many ways neighborly relations can sour.
Visitors at all hours: One respondent shared how their neighbor's constant visitors even began knocking on their door.
Lawn battles: Whether it was refusing to cut the grass or letting landscaping spiral out of control, yard maintenance (or the lack of it) was a commonly reported cause of tension.
Drug-related activity: Several survey participants cited serious issues involving drugs, including suspected dealing and theft.
Noise complaints: From loud music to someone banging on the ceiling, noise was also a common complaint.
Property damage and mess: One person reported their neighbor cut down their dad's fruit trees, while others mentioned vermin infestations, smoke from chimneys, and even sump pump runoff flooding their yard.
Cooking clashes: One respondent pointed to cooking odors as a source of friction between them and their neighbor.
Intrusions and boundary disputes: From a neighbor building a structure in their yard to uninvited guests entering the home due to a reckless housemate, some stories edged into full-blown intrusion.
Gregg Ward, executive director at The Center for Respectful Leadership, said that while disagreements between neighbors are common, starting a war is never a good idea. "If you're neighbor doesn't behave in ways you want them to, the last thing you should do is get into a tit-for-tat battle with them," he told Newsweek. "This happens all too often, and it never ends well. In short, don't respond to disrespect with more disrespect—it will just make everything worse." There are especially good reasons that creating a good relationship with neighbors is a good idea. "One of the most important reasons to have a good relationship with your neighbor is when something bad happens, like a fire or break-in at your home, they'll be there to help out," Ward said. "Or if you need someone to watch your place, or feed your pets or your plants while you're away—then having a good relationship with your neighbor is invaluable."The random double opt-in survey was conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Newsweek, March 17 to March 19, 2025. Market research company Talker Research's team members are members of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
