How To Be A Good Baltimore Neighbor

Unless you have chosen a hide away mansion in mountains of Montana to reside in, you likely have neighbors. While I hope you have amazing neighbors, are YOU a good neighbor? I’m a Realtor, and some of the stories I hear are WILD! Lol So I took to my social to ask my community for their best “how to be a good neighbor” advice and heres what they had to say:

Parking Wars.

The general consensus was be considerate and respectful when it came to parking. It came out in statements like, “Don’t block my driveway.” “If you have multiple cars and know we have to street park, park some of your cars in a different area to make parking equally available to your neighbors” “If the spot is in front of my door, it my spot “ etc.

Undeclared Regime: Baltimore has two unspoken parking rules. One is in inclimate weather, if I shoveled this parking spot, its mine at least until the snow completely melts. The other is the spot in front of someone’s home is theirs, despite it actually being owned by the city. Some neighbors in our discussion shared the opinion of the last one being a selfish thought process. The mass majority of the commenters cited the act as common courtesy. “I wont park in front of your door if I can help it because that means you now have to walk further to get to your home. Please extend me the same courtesy.” Again, this isn’t an official law. Trying to use this rational to control parking wont stand up in front of an officer let alone a court room. However if you happen to be on a block where everyone ‘gets it’, then so be it. If you do not live on said block, then….so be it. The parking spot is not worth a raised blood pressure level. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Blocked Driveways: This one shocked me I think because of the audacity it takes to deliberately block someone’s driveway. Lol Something to consider, blocking your neighbors car in could mean life or death if they need to make a mad dash to a hospital. Or at the very least - a huge inconvience of them being late to wherever they’re off to. Not too neighborly.

Cars in Abundance: To own multiple cars is a blessing. To park them in front of your neighbors homes regularly is a nuisance. You may get home before your neighbor but being courteous to leave them a spot open may mean your night working neighbor wont have to park around a corner and walk the dark street(s) to get to their front door. Especially if you can relocate a lesser used car to a less congested area . Is it against any laws to park your cars in front of your neighbors house? Nope. But it will likely make your next door neighbor a bit disgruntled towards you should you make a habit of it.

NOT music to my ears.

The social media fam had a lot to say about this one! The social community made it clear that they like to hear their own music at their convince, not their neighbors music at their neighbors convience. I think this grievance can be easily remedied with putting your music at the level you like it and going over/calling to your neighbors to ask if they can hear it. Then you can adjust from there. You like your music, that does not mean your neighbor does. You listen to your music late in the evenings, your neighbor may be in bed by 9pm and likely does not view the vibration and loud lyrics as a lullaby. Regardless of the hour, keeping your music inside of your own home and out of our neighbors is considerate and respectful. Having the occasional party? Give your neighbors a heads up that it will get loud that night and they are far less likley to call the cops for a noise ordinance violation.

Be Cordial but not Wendy Williams cordial.

Some neighbors love to catch up when they see one another. By catch up they mean have conversation about things that they willingly share. Asking your neighbor “who is the woman I’ve been seeing coming around lately” is intrusive. Don’t do that. Lol this is also true when being a helpful neighbor. If you see or hear conflict at your neighbors home and want to help, then go help. Your help however, does not entitle you to an interview. Dont get all Diane Sawyer on them about their business.

ITS YOUR HOUSE AND YOU…WELL, HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

Cut your grass. Remove trash and dead flowers. Make external repairs as needed. Sweep. Rake. Take your trash cans in. Shovel. Power wash. Clean up after your pets. There’s a laundry list of crap that has to be done outside and who has time, I know. HIRE HIRE HIRE! There is a kid or a company in your neighborhood that would love a few dollars to do what you don’t have time to. HOA in play or not, keeping your property up both inside and out is your responsibility as a homeowner. Otherwise you attract rodents, low property values, lawsuits and angry neighbors. Your neighbors are not bringing by “get well soon” cake if they are afraid your loose siding will fall on thier head as a raccoon attacks them from your piled up garbage.

THOU SHALT NOT STEAL.

I must admit, finding out that stealing neighbors trash cans was a thing during this discussion surprised me. Lol Like, why? Baltimore City will give you one for free! Lol Listen, Its not your trash can. You know its not. Its not your package, you know that. PUT IT BACK! (I said that with the black momma teeth bear down 😂) In a world where cameras are at every angle, why even risk the fight with your neighbor? All neighbors aren’t “ill let it slide this time” neighbors. Some are “ I’ll let this situation slide right into a courtroom” neighbors. You wont know which is which until youre standing before a judge about a $60 stolen trash can. Its not worth it. Put it down! Lol

DENNIS THE MENACE IS ONLY FUNNY AND CUTE ON TV.

Watch your kids and teach them how to be good neighbors. I think the only part of “ it takes a village” that is still around is the saying itself. No one in this day and age seems to want anyone to say anything to thier children, and thats fine so long as you are saying everything to your children to teach them how to be a respectful neighbor. You can’t believe that your neighbor will stand by and say nothing as your kid throws trash on the ground or skips rocks near their cars.

SMOKE IS LIKE BAD NEWS - IT TRAVELS FAST AND HURTS EVerY ONE in its path.

If you have party walls please know that the smoke travels, especially if your homes are older. Your neighbors may have kids, asthma, etc. but what we are sure of is that they have lungs and likely a want to keep them healthy. You’re in your home. You get to smoke if you like. But if you have any empathy at all, maybe consider a detached home, air purifiers and/or smoking outside. Im sure its no ones plan to deliver a neighbors infant child second hand smoke before they can even speak their first words.

Don’t be passive AGGRESSIVE.

Giving your neighbors tires a slow leak because they roll over your flowers daily is not the answer, I assure you. I like to believe that people still mean well. Most times neighbors don’t realize that they have affected anyone with their actions and will apologize profusely when approached RESPECTFULLY about it. My grandmother use to say “you attract more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.” Opt for face to face non confrontational conversation to voice your concerns and be open to compromise where needed. You’re more likely to get the change you are seeking with that method than you would by being passive aggressive.

Being the Crabby person pays off sometimes.

Lastly on how to be a good Baltimore neighbor, if you know your neighbor isn’t allergic to shellfish, bring them a few crabs when you get yours. I kid, I kid! But I bet it couldn’t hurt your relationship ☺️

Wishing you all the happiest neighboring relationships possible Xx.

Not sure if or how anything is a violation? Here are some of Baltimore County’s and Baltimore City’s codes.

https://library.municode.com/md/baltimore_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=ART17MIPROF

https://www.baltimorecitycouncil.com/sites/default/files/Code%20of%20Public%20Laws.pdf

https://mdcourts.gov/lawlib/research/gateway-to-md-law/municipal-codes