Never posted before, but my sister is an avid reader. Need some advice from some wise women.
Background first, I?m 35 and single. Lost my job 4 years ago, got a big severance package and my mum died 18 months ago (she had Alzheimers and had a fall). I was pretty well her FT carer between losing my real job and her fall. Since that happened I have been the executor of the estate. So I?ve been out of the job market (but busy) for a long time, but between my payoff and inheritance I have never been short of ££ and it looks like I never will be.
I have a nice flat, an income, all my time?s my own. Nice place to be I know, but the thing is I feel I have no life. My friends are all married with kids as is my sister and I have to fit round them. I love my niece and nephew and get on well with my sister, no issues there, but I feel like my life is just drifting. One day I will wake up and be 55, I see no change in prospect.
So the complication, maybe the consequence tho, is I am hopelessly smitten with my next door neighbour. He lives in the next house along and we both have a roof terrace so he said hello one day across the gap between the houses. We pass each other now and then coming in and out. So last week one thing led to another and he asked me in to look at his new kitchen and then said stay for supper. So I did and honestly, I had just the best time, just him and me. He has lovely taste, he cooks, he listens, he is always cheerful, he has introduced me to the other people who live in his building. He walked me home even though it was next door. You know how sometimes if someone stands too close to you you want to step away, and other times it feels so comfortable you don't notice ? well it?s like that.
Oh and he is ok with children. I know this because I was with my sister and niece and nephew one day and we ran into him. He said hello to us all and included them and told us about a puppet theatre going on at the canalside that day that they might enjoy, so we went and they did. So a hit with my sister, who thought he seemed nice. She thinks he is not gay though no sign of a woman. Or of any string of women for that matter.
So wise women of MN, what do I do? I would like to date him and go out with him and hang out with him. I have no idea what he thinks of me but I would be OK with asking him out. All that has happened is I have been in his flat a few times. No snogs, no touching but the body language is there...unless he is like this with all women??? 
and I haven't been so obvious as to ask about his love life current or otherwise.
But He Lives Next Door!!!!
Madness? What if he knocks me back or it goes nowhere? But is it really any different from dating someone at university where 300 blokes are your neighbours? Am I fixating on someone I shouldn't because my life is so empty?
What do I do?