The Nextdoor subreddit has been going strong for almost 10 years. Created in 2015, the group can't boast astronomical numbers, but its 35k hardcore members are definitely passionate and constantly hungry for some neighborhood drama. 

The group is not about your run-of-the-mill Nextdoor posts pertaining to real neighborhood issues. They have an immediate disclaimer: "If it's not absurd or hilariously petty, move it to the real Nextdoor." On the subreddit, it's all about watching the dumpster fire at your neighbor's from afar!

The real Nextdoor, on the other hand, dates back to 2011. Its mission was to provide a sense of community and safety to neighborhoods. And in that regard, it mostly succeeds. It can be a great place to sell a couch or find a plumber to fix a leak (although competitors like Facebook's Neighborhoods might steal the spotlight sometimes).

However, the private social network hasn't been without controversies since its inception, especially in the last few years. Some suggest that people's fixations on crime can unnecessarily create a sense of paranoia in communities. Most of the post on Nextdoor are related to crime, yet suburban crime rates in some states (Michigan, for example) are going down.

A 2023 study found that people inaccurately perceive the crime in their neighborhoods due to apps like Nextdoor. The researchers explain that this happens because people make judgements with the information available to them. And, on apps like these, the same rule as in traditional media applies: violent crimes gets a disproportionately bigger amount of coverage.

It's usually said that you can't choose family, but the same sometimes goes for neighbors as well. You can't always choose who you live next to, so your best bet is to make do with what you have. Interestingly, relationships with neighbors can be important to our social and mental well-being. For example, one study found that low contact with neighbors results in worse psychological well-being for adults aged 40-70.

And it's not like we hate our neighbors. In fact, most people say they like the people they live next to. According to a survey by Offerpad, 78% of Americans say they like the people who live near them. However, 60% also admitted that they've feuded with a neighbor at least once before. 

The most frequent disagreements neighbors have are about yards and their home exteriors. Some also get into arguments about each other's political and sports affiliations and signs that they choose to put outside of their home. And only 28% said they got in trouble with a neighbor because of something they posted on social media.

Researchers also claim that relationships with neighbors are important for our overall health. They provide us with social support, allow us to share resources, and makes us feel secure. Some even posit that a good neighborly relationship is especially beneficial for single people. It provides them with greater satisfaction they derive from their social circles than couples do.

But arguments with neighbors are inevitable. So, what should one do when the time to confront them over loud noises past 10 pm comes or those pesky Christmas lights in April start bugging you? Etiquette expert Diane Gottsman says to not approach it with an apology. "'I'm so sorry, I hate to say this to you.' This loses the power," she told CBS.

Gottsman also advises to choose your battles wisely. "They should be worthy, and then you should come to the table, addressing them with some dignity," she recommended. You'll neven know the outcome of a confrontation such as this, so always keep in mind that it might make things worse in the long run.

And what about you, Pandas? Do you have any humorous or absurd stories about your neighbors? If you belong to any of the neighborhood social networks, please share some petty neighborhood tea! And if you're looking for more gems from Nextdoor, head to our previous post about the subreddit right here!