Previous owners of house keep coming round to "visit"

@TriesNotToBeCynical if someone actually says/does something racist, of course that can and should be challenged. But OP really would be crazy if she approached her neighbours children's school on the off chance they might say something racist! They will ask her what grounds she has to say this and then socialising with the previous owner of OPs house, doesn't really qualify! There are many reasons why the neighbours might be unfriendly, racism because OP is Irish, is one of them but not necessarily the most likely.

I honestly think this might be something to do with them reluctantly selling the house, or having regrets, combined with an old established routine of socialising out the front!

Can't you just block their number so they don't appear in the thread? They wouldn't see your posts either I don't think.

Why are you surprised? The amount of people still very much anti-Irish in England is still too high. I'm Northern Irish, living in southern England, and it's really quite appalling the amount of "go back home" comments I've had. Our neighbour opposite HATES Irish, and he's made it well known to all of our other neighbours that I'm not welcome here.

You feel intimidated because the old owners of your house visit their friends in the same street and have a bbq.

People are bat shit. Get a life and stop peeping out the windows!

The BBQ situation - as long as it is on their drive then there isn’t really anything you can do. If it is on the pavement then it’s a different story.
I don’t get why they couldn’t have this in their back garden though?

Regards to the ex-owners - did they come onto your drive or garden? If yes, then its trespass but without evidence (and even with evidence) there isn’t much you can legally do - unless of course you have a case for harassment or they gain access into your home.

Most people like to nosey and see what changes new owners have done. We have lived in our current house for 33 years and we had the son of the previous owner contact us last year asking if he could have a look around as his mother recently died and he wanted to try and get some memories. We let him, he brought some photos of the house to show us from the 1950s and 1960s - he admitted after though that we had made so many changes it was virtually unrecognisable.

Next time you see them though, I’d be polite and just say…
can i help you?

Sigh, she needs to live there, it is much better she asks a neighbour who she gets on with what the score is. Not go balls out to antagonise everyone before she even knows for sure.

I'd start burning my garden waste when they set up for a bbq. And, as suggested, drive in and out so they have to move. Mow the lawn or play loud music - generally just make it less comfortable for them.

Can you put a hedge or fence around your garden to maintain your privacy?

I think some people do just socialise out the front of their houses and can be weird about someone new living in 'their' house, even though they sold it and it's completely illogical to hold it against you for buying it!
I think you do have to assert your presence and at the same time, try to remember they've been neighbours for years and it takes time to slot in. People don't always like change - I really wouldn't take it personally.

I bought a house in a cul de sack and there is sometimes a thing where the residents do things a certain way and don't immediately appreciate that the make up of the street has changed.

I reckon they did this during the lockdowns and it’s nothing to do with you. In fact they’ve just forgotten to invite which is rude and thoughtless but I very much doubt the old owners are doing anything on purpose

Is it all the neighbours except you? I misread that. I thought it was just the two couples and some random friends.

We moved into a property at the end of the cul de sac. BBQ would be held at the bottom on the road, everyone bought food and a deckchair. We haven't done anything like that since the queen's jubilee because a few have sold up or died. Only three of the old gang left out of ten.

The couple we brought the property from did visit for a while but it fizzled out so be patient, they'll move on eventually.

I got to know my neighbours in lockdown and before long we'd be out front having coffees most days and drinks most evenings. We became a tight little group and though we see a lot less of each other now, we still have occasional gettogethers. Several have now moved and whilst we are polite to newcomers, they aren't part of 'the group' so we wouldn't think to invite them out. This is probably something similar and I doubt they are trying to upset or intimidate you. What happens if you go out when they're there?

Next time they are there pop out past them breezily, saying 'hi there, have a great day' and keep walking. Park your car across your driveway.

Op, just in case there is a miscommunication here, just ask one of the neighbours uou get on with. Ask if it’s invite only or a neighbours thing as you’re not sure of protocol. You might find they say they wonder why you never come.

Even if it is a tradition it’s bad manners to leave the newbies outZ

Indeed. When someone complains about racism people try very hard to convince them they're crazy; and perhaps people really believe that, rather than face the truth. Of course the complainers are not always right, but they are often enough.

I think that you are overthinking this and making it about you when that might not be the case at all

This might not be a new thing. For all you know they are good friends who did every Summer while they lived in your house. They might just be continuing the tradition after they have moved.

Another neighbour should be able to fill you in.

After you diagram that’s properly shit and I would feel just like you. Doing it so you’re excluded and can’t get in and out is properly horrible. It wouldn’t hurt them to invite you. Like you said you didn’t force them out.
I would 100% leave or arrive when you know they are doing it. Or get a tesco delivery or something else.

Is it anything to do with the empty house next door do you think. They may believe they are justified in using the space outside your house because the other half of it is empty and therefore fair game so to speak. When the other house is sold Id be having regular events in the road with just you and the new people.

My old owners for about 6 months came round to collect mail that took them ages to redirect. Rather than just one of the knocking on the door, they both used to come and practically stick their heads through the door and would ask me questions like how I was getting on to prolong them being on the doorstep trying to nose through 🤣

Why did they move if they want to keep coming back to socialise with the neighbours? It is rude and they are weird, ignoring is the best course of action OP. They will soon get bored with coming back.We once sold a house.The first viewing was a couple who admitted that their friend used to live in our house. They just wanted to see if it had changed much inside since then😂. In our current house we had someone nearby who whenever we met her would ask us who we were and where we lived. When we told her she would then tell us that her very best friend used to live in our house. This went on for a couple of years.

Don't do this. Unless they've actually said something, you can't be talking to their kids school on the^ off chance they might.^ You'll look crazy.

They are just weirdos op. Try very hard to ignore. They’re the sort of people that will carry on if they think you’re bothered by it. Enjoy your back garden which is probably peaceful because they’re alll out the front!

It's shit like this that makes me glad I moved out of a Cul-de-Sac some years ago. It was so cliquey and weird, with everyone in everyone's face. There were 8 houses, and everyone knew everyone's business. Couldn't leave the house without someone stopping you to 'chat' for 20 minutes. And you didn't dare say no to a socialising offer.

I live in a little rural village now, in a through road (but not a main road) with 24 houses in it, and people generally keep themselves to themselves. They say 'hi' and chat for 2-3 minutes, and then move on. And they will help in an emergency. Just how I like it. And this is in a little rural village! The weird, cliquey environment was in a suburb - 2 miles from a large town. Go figure!