Village bullies - time to move?

This is just typical villager behaviour unfortunately- petty, nasty and usually does not last. I am going to guess they have lived there forever, their world has changed and they are throwing a tantrum.

Try and get yourself known to others in the village and I am sure there will be a few stories to be heard.

The petty part of me would be to spread rumours about each of them claiming they came from the other three.

Otherwise I think the best strategy is to work out what you have in common with them. There must be something!

Also find out the house history. Was it built against the village wishes? Owner by a loved villager? Supposed to pass to someone on a will but didn't?

Sounds awful, but the next neighbours could be awful too.

Mine are unfriendly on one side and weird on the other side. I think they think I'm the problem.

Please don’t move, it should get better…..time.
Can you nurture friendships (and therefore support) in other places - village hall, coffee morning, library, playgroup, pub, church?

I would say take up your space and be seen in it - if you have any male family or friends encourage them to call round at random times - simply as a presence.

Hard as it is, try and have an air of nonchalance, as though these people are invisible and don’t matter to you.

Sending you strength (from someone else who has to assert boundaries with neighbours who take liberties they wouldn’t dare consider - if my man was here).

This 100%

What a horrible situation...keep records of things that are happening and if they escalate report to the Police.

Build bridges. Talk to your neighbours. Apologise for getting off on the wrong foot. Gift them some honey. Explain that the bees are off site and not commercial. Eat crow. Ask about parking, and listen. Apologise a bit more.

People can be really WEIRDLY specific about parking in villages and once you are on the wrong side it can take a bit of coming back

I think you just need to ride it out.

They didn't like the noise - fair enough really, and you've now confined it to 9-5 with no more complaints.

They don't like your visitors parking on the road. Hard to comment on this one. Are your visitors causing any issues by parking there? Do they park on your road even though you have space on your drive?

One person thought you were running a business and reported you - again, fair enough. Luckily, you weren't and that's the end of that.

People don't like change and villages are notorious for it. It's hard to be anonymous or keep yourself to yourself. I'd be killing them with kindness for an easy life.

You're not being unreasonable at all but seriously do not let them push you out. Some people are so bitter and miserable that they will attack 'outsiders' just for the sake of it. Give it some time and you'll find some nice people in the village and I bet they'll have had bad experiences with this lot too!