NWR - Neighbor Issues - UPDATE 8/13

Didn't read all the comments, but can you just move the hoop yourself (or your husband)? No, it isn't your job, but if it makes things smoother with your neighbor than passive aggressive parking/ passive aggressive basketball playing, it would probably be worth the extra effort

I would be afraid there would be an issue since its not our property. We are going to try and talk to her...she wasn't home tonight.

Definitely stand your ground. Do no move your car and if you have to get the police involved if she keeps yelling. It also sounds like maybe you should try to make room for the car in your garage which I know is a good storage but it's so much nicer not worrying about your car being on the street.

Keep us posted please.

Yup my car would be parked there indefinitely, id probably uber when I had to go somewhere cause Im a fing petty betty!!!

They dont own the street either, id move that hoop to a dumpster. And let them know stepping on my property would result in a call to the police

Update

My husband and I went over tonight to ask the neighbor to move the hoop. It was the mom this time, the owner of the house and hoop. We were very polite and nice. My husband kindly asked if she could move her hoop because of the kids coming onto our property and that we wanted it away from our house. She started off nice saying she would consider moving it. As we talked about it more, she said "I don't know if you have kids or you just don't like kids...but it has never been an issue before." I said "We do not dislike children, but it was never an issue because it has been an empty lot for ten years." My husband calmly said "We are not trying to stop anyone's fun, but we don't want anyone getting hurt." She said "he is not going to get hurt, that's ridiculous." I continued to explain how steep it was and that anyone could easily fall. "He's been doing that for years, he won't get hurt. Many neighborhood kids play there." I said "All the more reason to move it so their balls don't roll down the hill and kids won't have the option of trying to go down to get them." My husband said if you could move it, that would be great. She again said "I'll consider it." Then I asked if she could please tell her children not to come onto our property. She said she highly doubts that they have come onto our property. I said well they have multiple times. She again very sternly said "I really doubt that". I said "well that's fine, but I have pictures." She immediately got angry, raising her voice saying "Ohhhh my God! Ohhh my God! YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE!" And slammed the door in our faces.

I wouldn't have said the thing about the pictures if she didn't insist that they weren't on our property. She was pretty much calling me a liar and I think trying to come up with an excuse for why we wanted it moved.

I really don't understand how she doesn't see our side at all. And the fact that she is alright with her son and neighbors going onto our property whenever they want. Or how she isn't afraid that her son could get hurt when he goes farther down the hill. I feel like she still thinks she has rights to that empty lot that is no longer. I wanted to say so much more, but we wanted to remain polite. And, well there was a door slammed in my face.

So now what? I'm going to call the ordinance guy back again just to see what he thinks. I know she won't be considering it so I think we are going to resume parking there. I'm currently searching for a large, oversized foosball table that lights up and makes noise to put in front of her house (just teasing...haha).

On a lighter note, our other neighbors are extremely nice and gave us pears off their fruit trees. =)

Since she wants to be *that* cuntnugget neighbor, I would call the cops to tell them since the zoning official told you that you have that right.

Or you can sit on the porch and literally be the "GET OFF MY LAWN" neighbor. But maybe that would be a little too petty.

ETA: But seriously, being nice and polite in this situation clearly won't change anything, especially since this seems to be a case of "my kid can do no wrong and he can do whatever the fuck he wants to do". This is YOUR property that we're talking about and no matter how much she doesn't like it, he can't just run into your yard whenever he loses his ball. Continue to document and the next time it happens, call the non-emergency police number. She'll get the message.

Fuck that. I'd move the damn thing myself. Or I'd park my car right in front of the hoop. And when the kids or the parents come and ask me to move my car, I'd calmly say oh you're one of those people who think everything is yours and slam the door.

But, I'm petty as fuck lol.

Keep parking there

@La Grosera "cuntnugget neighbor" may be a new nickname lol. But seriously, who slams the door in someone's face. I could see if we were yelling at her or something or threatening her, but we weren't even doing anything close to that.

@TheHamWhites I think we will be parking there from now on. I want to say when she asks to move our cars that "I'll consider it." I really can't believe she slammed the door.

I just don't want everyone to hate us. We are trying to be reasonable and mature about it, but how can we when we keep getting yelled at and doors slammed in our faces.

She is going to be really pissed if the zoning guy or police come to her door. I'm going to have to sleep with one eye open.

Do you have an hoa? If so, you might contact them before the city.

@MoreMoore -- nope.. no HOA.

She's the one being unreasonable. It's not like you're asking them to move it because you're being an a-hole. It's for safety reasons.

I have to be one of "those" people. lol look at who I'm dealing with.

My question is "Why can't she put it in front of her own house?!!?" She doesn't want the annoyance is my guess. But if I were in her shoes, I would have moved that hoop the second we broke ground on our house. They kept it there the entire time. It had to be in the builder's way. How could they just think it is right for it to stay there? And if not moving it then, I would certainly move it after they come and ask politely. It just baffles my mind.

She's being completely unreasonable, and good for you for what you're doing. At the end of the day, it's unfortunately your ass on the line and there's no guarantee this same woman wouldn't turn around and sue :/

I would definitely look into outside cameras and floodlights on that side of the house. Make sure that no trespassing signs are posted in view of the camera/on your property. I hope nothing would happen, but if anyone is hurt on your property, it may help your case...? At least you'd be able to document every time someone comes on your property. I've seen some cool ones that alert you on your phone when there is camera activity and you can save the recordings too. Not trying to be over the top, but just a way to protect yourself. It sucks though starting off like this with neighbors!

We live in a small cul-de-sac and parking is limited when friends/family come over. Fortunately for us, it's not a cutthroat parking situation (yet), but I make a point to tell family & friends not to block or park in anyone's 'spot' because the parking spots are like The Hunger Games. But we usually just move our cars and let our guests park in our driveway. Our neighbors all seem respectful and nice!

She was not only rude, she is not seeing the big picture.

I agree that you should now continue to park there, since it s in front of your home. If you cannot park there, due to the kids playing ball, park in front of her house. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. ;-)

They should NOT come on your property without your permission. If they fall, and get hurt, you can be held liable.

Oh, and I have not read all of the comments, but are you in a neighborhood with an HOA? If so, contact them.

Check with your HOA.