When the neighbor's mess becomes your problem

Dear Annie: I have lived in my house for more than 40 years. In all that time, I have done my best to be a good neighbor. I am not the type to throw block parties or socialize regularly, but I have always made a point to wave, say hello and keep a friendly atmosphere on our street. Until recently, that was enough to maintain a peaceful, pleasant home.Last year, a young family moved in right next door, and though they are friendly and polite when we pass each other, their day-to-day habits are wearing on me. The problem is not their manners but their mess.From my porch, I have a full view of the side of their house where they keep their trash cans. After garbage pickup, they simply toss the cans back against the wall without care. Around the cans, piles of junk have started to gather: flattened boxes that never make it to recycling, pieces of broken cement, discarded bits of wood, and other odds and ends. The area looks more like a dumping ground than the side of a family home.The other side of their yard isn't much better. There's a constant sprawl of toys, a stroller, bikes, a grill, gardening tools, a wheelbarrow — everything left scattered across the lawn as if it had been dropped and forgotten. It never seems to get tidied or put away. Some evenings they even leave their car doors wide open all night long, which strikes me as careless and unsafe.This summer, the view became so unpleasant that I avoided sitting on my porch altogether, even though that has always been one of my favorite parts of my home. What used to be a place for morning coffee or evening relaxation now feels spoiled by the sight of chaos next door.I find myself worrying that this kind of disregard could escalate into something resembling hoarding, and I do not want to live next to that. Yet I feel stuck. These neighbors are not unfriendly. They greet me warmly, smile and exchange pleasantries. But beneath that surface politeness, the clutter is growing, and it is driving me to distraction.How can I bring up this issue without causing offense or starting a neighborhood feud? Is it even possible to talk about the way someone else maintains their property without being seen as rude or judgmental? I want to preserve peace and kindness on our street, but I also want to reclaim the comfort of my own home and porch. Frustrated But Neighborly Dear Frustrated: I understand your frustration. After decades of caring for your home, it is disheartening to have the view spoiled by neighbors who are careless with their property.Since they are polite when you see them, try starting with a gentle, specific request: "I love sitting on my porch, but it's hard with the trash cans and boxes right outside. Could you move them?" Sometimes people simply don't realize how their habits affect others.If that fails, check your town's ordinances. Many communities require trash cans and debris to be stored out of sight. That way, the rules — not you — become the enforcers.You can't control how they live, but you can take steps to protect your peace. Start with kindness, and if needed, let the local codes do the heavy lifting. Send your questions to Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com