Submit a next-door neighbor story—one story will be transformed into the final installment of our webcomic series, Next-Door Neighbor.
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One evening we had a sudden windstorm and at first we thought the only thing that had happened was that the cable had gone out. But when we looked outside for the cable truck we saw that the shaky Bradford pear tree next door fell across our driveway. We knocked on our neighbor's door, to no avail. Nothing to do but call a tree removal service, so we did. … Read more »
I live in a small, wealthy neighborhood in the outskirts of Baltimore, Maryland in a town called Bel Air. My neighborhood backs up to the town’s private country club, which is home to a green and lush eighteen-hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pools and clubhouses. The houses in my neighborhood are old and original, for the most part. This is because around fifty years ago, my neighborhood was one … Read more »
I live in a small, wealthy neighborhood in the outskirts of Baltimore, Maryland in a town called Bel Air. My neighborhood backs up to the town’s private country club, which is home to a green and lush eighteen-hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pools and clubhouses. The houses in my neighborhood are old and original, for the most part. This is because around fifty years ago, my neighborhood was one … Read more »
I moved into my home in late 2005. Unlike more traditional moves, this home had been that of my high school best friend, where he had grown up. Many memories had been made before it became my own. Few physical things changed in the first few years I occupied my new home. Three seasons of the year in upstate New York found me enjoying the … Read more »
Although we shared a common fence and adjoining backyards, we didn't notice her at all when we first bought the house. I never heard her or sensed that she was on the other side, behind that tall, wooden divide. In my preoccupation with the list of "honey-do's" waiting for me every weekend, it never occurred to me that an eccentric person with an exaggerated sense of property rights might dwell … Read more »
The first time my mother saw Gerry sunning herself, in a two-piece bathing suit, on her back porch of the row house next door, she labeled her as cheap, but still, neighbors are neighbors. Everyone always talked over the back fences, and daily conversations about Dark Shadows, the TV show that came on right after I came home from school, quickly established a connection between Gerry and I. … Read more »
When I was a little girl, I was a girl scout. Even though we were told not to sell cookies door-to-door, my hometown was so small that nobody was a stranger. After a day of walking around town knocking on doors with little success, I decided to attempt approaching the house directly across the street from my house. This was a gnarly old woman who only showed herself … Read more »
My neighbor uses any public agency she can to wreak havoc and cause her neighborhood residents and others to spend money and TIME fending her off...police, code enforcement (170+ complaints in one year), fire department, etc. Then there are the courts, unpaid contractors, elder abuse and domestic violence...her husband is not safe, she has stabbed her own father. She is 64!!!! She does the opposite of what you … Read more »
Too close
For comfort
Go away
brick bungalow, best friend across driveway
Clearly they were not my neighbors, but this is what I suppose Laura said to W, in that not-serious mock-up encouraging way spouses speak to each other, but W took seriously.
My bedroom faces the side of the building near me. My little sister always tended to sit by the window. One day she notices that the window of the girls living across from me was open. She calls me over to show me how they had two dildos holding up the window. My little sister being so curious wrote them a note and hung it outside our building. The note … Read more »
My elderly next door neighbor in my apartment building had locked himself out and knocked on my door to call our landlord to help. After he explained his problem, I told him "You don't need to do that! Watch me! Besides, do you really think Tom will come on a Saturday? "
And I went and armed myself with a butterknife from my kitchen and a credit … Read more »
My neighbors just called to see if I would like some venison chili because the batch was so large it would get freezer burn before they could eat it all. Despite the fact that venison isn't my favorite I jumped at the offer – knowing the flavors that generally come out of that kitchen.
When I opened the door I was greeted with the sweet aroma of a rich, garlicky … Read more »
I have lived in my neighborhood for almost nine years and I am only 12 years old. The neighbors next door were really nice with two dogs: Pepper and Daisy both labs and two kids:Hunter and Lily. They moved out soon after we moved in a few years later and then Alex and his family and 2-step brothers moved in. Alex is a nice kid but i feel sorry … Read more »
My nieghbor is Pop Can Stan, he is bald; what's underneath is not all there either. Ironically, in what could only reasonably constitute as too much sun on the head, this over-heating of the brain also reflects on his daily routine. His favorite activity is feeding feral cats. These cats have collectively bestowed Sainthood upon him. They follow him constantly, yet stay at least ten yards away from any other … Read more »
My neighbor does not want a cat, but she is always using mine .."runner" which is quite alright but why does she not want one of her own? well, i was told that the last one tore all the drapes and just drooped dead! yet, for some reason my cat just chases mice... i see it as animal therapy.. I have offered her, her own kitten but she rather … Read more »
My neighbor is the most crazy person i have ever met. One time i dropped one of those party poppers, she lost her shit and went on a crazy rant. In this rant she told my mom that she really had a daughter that we were hiding from her and that my real name was peter not Paul. to this day she still calls me peter i've given … Read more »
Cricket is an all-day affair!
I've lived down the street from Kayla my whole life. While I'm at her house, which is most of the time, I coverse with her neighbors. After 14 years, I've gotten to know most of the people over there except her Next-Door Neighbors.
They don't talk, well not us. They are some sort of asian, I believe they're viatnemese, but we don't really know.
Anyways, Kayla's cat ran out the … Read more »
As part of our new webcomic, Next-Door Neighbor, we thought it appropriate to have a little contest. Tell us your best true next-door neighbor story, and the winning tale will be matched with an artist and transformed into a webcomic and included as the final installment of Next-Door Neighbor.
No matter how close or how far, we all live next to someone, and we all have a Next-Door Neighbor story. With that in mind, editor Dean Haspiel asked some of his favorite storytellers and cartoonists to create their favorite NDN stories so we could share them with you.
By submitting an entry, you are granting SMITH the right to reprint or republish that entry online or in print, as well as make any necessary edits. See SMITH's terms of service for complete details.
This contest ends September 1, 2008. Prizes are not redeemable for cash and must be accepted as awarded. Winners are decided at the discretion of SMITH judges and all decisions are final. SMITH reserves the right to change the contest rules. Enter as often as you want. SMITH reserves the right to reprint or republish all entries.
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