Private garden or a sociable one

[Fancynancy01]

Do you prefer private gardens

or to see neighbours everytime your in the garden?

Can fences be removed from the ground without damaging them (I've been anxious since they went up) one neighbour loves it and wanted it even higher so I don't want to upset her taking our new fence down but I would if it was doable without damage

I prefer a private back garden but am not fussed about the front. A number of houses we've lived in have had restrictive covenants preventing owners from putting up tall fences at the front - i do think more open plan at the front looks better. Presumably you've checked that though.

It's right that they put a board at the bottom of the fence otherwise with rain and moisture from soil the fence would rot.

I think it won't enhance the curb appeal BUT it's your house you need to make it suitable for you AND it can be removed if next buyers dislike it.

Quite a few people around here have tables and chairs at the front so they can sit out in the evening and chat to passers by.

@Raella50 do you like the front so open? I'm so mixed about the fence since it went up i really wish I'd stuck to my guns and gone lower

@PhoneLock I bet thats been lovely especially since lockdown

Private! It was one of the main reasons we chose the house we live in now.

Private

The gate is next so I'm definately getting one you can see through but the dog can't get out of, don't want to feel like I'm in a box

I'd love to change it but we saved so hard for it and I'd definately upset one of the neighbours by doing so

Private back and front, I like my neighbours but like my privacy more

I'm just a born worrier, it's nice to hear all opinions, my partner loves it but I'm so anxious, the dog is happy which is a major plus. She couldn't come out without a lead for a long time as neighbours both have dogs and she could get over the fence.

Private and soundproofed.

We are in a 1930’s semi and have privacy from the house joined to ours thankfully. We have a much lower fence between ourselves and other neighbours who are really lovely but also a bit nosey.

But from time to time I wish they couldn’t see me and I couldn’t see them if I go to put washing out or have a drink at the table. We don’t often have friends in the garden but we did one night last week (they left at 9pm) but he was in and out back and forward to his garage all night like a yo-yo trying to listen into to what we were talking about.

However, I think they are getting on early 70’s so think as soon as a suitable bungalow comes up in the area they will move and we will have to up the fence and or grow some bushes down the side to give us some privacy.

Private. Nothing specifically against the neighbours but I don't have any desire to interact with them or see them and would prefer to never have to see them whatsoever. I am a bit of an introvert, it seems. No neighbours would be the ideal.

Yes I Like the front open. It looks nicer from the front and I like driving into our little street and seeing all the house looking neat. I feel safer too because if I answer the door to someone on the day, the whole street can see (and at the moment there are plenty of curtain twitchers with everyone stuck at home ) so I feel like if someone was aggressive/ wanted to force entry/ to rob then they may be less likely to pick my house if they’re on show and it feels public? Does that make any sense? I realise anyone could break in round the back of course but I obviously don’t use that space to answer the back door to people so feels safer.

Private. One of our garden walls is low and I hate it - we're planning on raising it ASAP. My garden is my space. I don't want to share it with any nosy neighbours, thank you!

@Raella50 that completely makes sense, it sets panick in me not being able to see who's coming down the ginnel but the neighbour on the other side of it has a camera on her house. The front of the garden also has the low open gate ( looks very odd with the higher fence but it will be replaced. So what we are going to do is get a padlock for the new gate at the side that gives us access to the ginnel, people tend to use the driveway gate at the front anyway

@Splattherat before the fence went up we felt like that and I know my neighbours did too, it's lovely to be sociable but it can feel too much can't it. Although the option would be nice (in hindsight haha) bushes will be a great idea to give you the privacy

If visitors (or delivery people) use driveway entrance, can the dog get out? (Think we need a diagram OP

My dream fantasy house has a great big kitchen garden surrounded by a really high brick wall, covered in climbing roses.

Private, then you control the level of socialisation.

@callmeadoctor I let her out with us or i watch her from the door, don't want my baby to be pinched haha

@ShinyMe sounds fabulous

Mines a nice size but not a big garden, I will be putting climbers and fence pocket planters to make it look more natural.

Back garden is big but needs a lot of work, new fences, levelling off and we just cant afford it yet (that will eventually be just the kids garden)