Re reading this post with some thoughts on neighborhoods. I have grown to love my neighborhood now 5 years here. I have moved back as of 10 days ago(another post sometime). The first couple days while walking the dog, people have yelled Hi welcome back, while trimming bushes cars have stopped on thier way home from work to say Hi, One couple said they knew I was back as they could see my sky lights with light showing through in the wee hours from thier home up on the hill. One brought me a piede of cake, one couple picked me up for a trip to the green house. I told the cake lady Neighbors like her where why I came back. It is so amazing to me how friendly it is.
This summer We bought a home in a large city where husband works, he will be there another year. Brand new, no sense of history subdivision. I can not see this area bonding ever in the foreseeable future. I can not even tell you what the people drive, or what they look like, or if they have kids except the direct home on each side. It is not set up for bonding. No kids walking or biking. I Run and am lucky to get a wave as that would be hard with coffee, phone and driving too. I do not think people who move to this type housing want to know or see the neighbors. Husband says that is why you buy in this type area to go to work and come home. Feel safe and not bothered. I actually feel less safe since no one knows each other. I can say with certainty no one knows I am not there or cares. It is sad to me. I never lived like that and really had no idea that things could be so different. Lesson learned.