Privacy Fences and Friendly Neighborhoods

Privacy fences and semi-privacy fences are more and more popular in suburban neighborhoods, and it has caused some neighbors to ask if privacy fences are unfriendly and divisive. The truth is, the fences aren’t the reason for unfriendly neighborhoods, and they are a necessary part of living with others so close.

If you’re wondering the same thing, here’s the question to ask yourself: how would you feel with a privacy fence, or if you already have one, how would you feel without it?

Whatever your feelings on the matter, it’s hard to deny that privacy fences provide a certain measure of safety extremely important to you and your family. Would you feel safe letting your small children out in the backyard to play without a fence? If you live in a suburban neighborhood, the answer is probably not.

Privacy fences are also a deterrent to intruders, especially if you have a sturdy lock on your gate. Scaling a fence is a lot of work and might prompt a burglar to look elsewhere for an open gate.

If you have animals, too; a privacy fence keeps them safe in your hard and makes it much harder for them to escape or for other dogs to come in your yard and harass your pets.

If you’re worried about your neighborhood becoming unfriendly, the best thing you can do is take steps to fix it. Step out on a limb and introduce yourself to neighbors you don’t know. Bring back the old tradition of bringing food to a new neighbor and taking a second to welcome them.

Grab a few of the neighbors you know best and plan a block party, or just invite a few people in the neighborhood you want to get to know better to dinner.

Even if you don’t do anything more than sit on the front porch and smile and wave to those who walk by, taking a small step to be friendly will improve your neighborhood in the long run without giving up your privacy fence!