Sussing out the neighbours when socially awkward

[Overdon]

I have eventually found a house I really like that I can afford . But nervous about what the neighbours will be like.

I have headed advice about staking out the property at varying times, which is fine. But I am nervous about knocking on the next door neighbours door, and really don’t know what to say .
I should mention we have had nightmare neighbours in the past so I need to set my mind at ease.

I need to set my mind at ease.
You can't. Sorry.
You might suss out the neighbours and decide that they are fine ... and then next week they move and somebody else moves in.
You can only assess the general neighbourhood, not individuals within it.

I can only speak from experience, if I had met my nightmare neighbours before I moved in, well, I wouldn’t have lived there.

I'd be mortified if someone k picked at my door before they'd even moved in to 'suss' me out. I think it's quite rude!

I thought it was sensible @fredberr, given our history with bad neighbours.

I certainly don’t mean to cause offence.

I wouldn’t even open the door, I would communicate through the window. Sorry but I have history with bad callers.

I knocked on my next door neighbours doors before buying!

Just had a quick breezy conversation and asked about the street etc.

Nothing wrong with knocking and saying hello, you'll get a good feel for them if they're friendly or not.

I wouldn't mind at all!

You need to think of two or three questions about the area you want to ask, things like 'is it usually easy to get deliveries to this street' (it bloody well isn't near us!) or 'does the pub on the corner ever get noisy' or just 'I don't know the area, what do you think it is like as a place to live'

We did exactly this last time we were looking, found out loads of stuff!

I see nothing wrong with knocking on someone's door and introducing yourself as a potential neighbour. Just a 'hi I'm thinking of buying the house next door and thought I'd introduce myself'. Surely anyone would then answer: 'well hello! Nice to meet you! We have lived here X years and blah blah blah...'
If they give you a weird look and shut the door - we'll that's a pretty good indication too. If they won't even open the door, I'd wonder why they were so suspicious, and that in itself will also give you a idea of the neighbourhood.
Neighbours welcoming - yes!
Neighbours suspicious or rude - no!

But someone who appears normal when you speak to them can still turn out to be a nightmare...

@bunburyscucumbersandwich

But someone who appears normal when you speak to them can still turn out to be a nightmare...

This with bells on

It would be helpful to know about home deliveries, will definitely use that one!

@bunburyscucumbersandwich yes I agree, but some people are like walking red flags.

[quote Overdon]@bunburyscucumbersandwich yes I agree, but some people are like walking red flags.[/quote]
My worst ever neighbour was the one that you'd have thought would never in a million years be a problem.

Actually though, they have a rival now as neighbours that were fine for about 3 years have suddenly turned into neighbours from hell. Police are there every few days as the teen son is a drug dealer- but when they moved in they were "normal".

I would knock and just ask them general questions about the neighborhood and say in passing that you are really quiet so is the neighborhood? It is a huge investment and after your experience it needs to be absolutely the right one for you.

@bunburyscucumbersandwich gosh how awful, ‘nowt as queer as folk’ as we say up here.