At Homes.com, experts know the atmosphere of a neighborhood and the types of neighbors nearby can certainly influence house hunters on their quest for a new home. Neighbors come in every variety, but nosy neighbors are perhaps the most vexing.
Nosy neighbors are the ones who ask borderline intrusive questions, appear to be eavesdropping on your conversations, or have a particular curiosity about what’s being delivered to your home. While we’re all guilty of occasionally peeking through the blinds to see what neighborhood kerfuffle is taking place outside, too many nosy habits can start to make homeowners feel downright peeved.
With social distancing initiatives in place and the majority of the population staying at home, ‘overly-curious’ neighbors are starting to crawl out of the woodwork. These unusual times prompted us to wonder where in the U.S. the nosiest neighbors are located. Thus, we surveyed people across the country to determine the states with the most and least nosy neighbors. The survey ran from March 4 to March 14, 2020, and included 50 people in every state for a total of 2,500 respondents. We asked respondents to rate their nosiness levels on a scale of 1-3 (with 1 being the least nosy and 3 being the most nosy) and answer detailed questions surrounding their habits with their neighbors. Read on to find what the survey revealed.
Of the 10 states with the most nosy neighbors, Nevada claims the number one spot with nosiness levels of 1.61, 13.2% higher than the national average at 1.42. Interestingly, four out of the top ten states are located in the South. South Carolina and North Carolina have reported nosiness levels of 11.8% and 9.1% above the national average, respectively. When asked ‘do you occasionally peek through the blinds to see what your neighbors are up to?’, over 68% of South Carolinians surveyed answered yes. Southerners are known for their charming & hospitable nature, and while some homeowners perceive this friendliness as harmlessly expressing interest, others perceive it as nosy.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, survey results showed that Kansas has the least nosy neighbors, with nosiness levels 11.3% below the national average. Residents in the Jayhawk State prefer to keep to themselves and mind their own affairs. Pennsylvania also made it in the top 10 states with the least nosy neighbors. When asked ‘do you know more about your neighbors than you care to admit?’, 94% of PA respondents said no.
By and large, Gen Z was found to be the generation with the most nosy neighbors, with nosiness levels 14% higher than baby boomers. According to McKinsey, Gen Z “is anchored in its search for truth” and values freedom of expression and a yearning for a deep understanding of others. Perhaps Gen Z’s search for transparency and authenticity contributes towards their curiosity about their neighbors’ behaviors.
