Best of Dear Annie: I loved sitting on my front porch until new neighbors moved in

A longtime homeowner recently wrote in to the Dear Annie column, frustrated because their new neighbors created an eyesore by keeping their yard and trash area messy.

The clutter includes trash cans, boxes, broken items, toys, and tools scattered around. The homeowner worries this could escalate into hoarding but doesn’t want to cause offense or start a feud. They ask how to address the issue politely while preserving peace.

Annie sympathizes with the letter writer’s frustration. She points out people often don’t realize how their habits affect others and suggest starting with a gentle, specific request. For example, “I love sitting on my porch, but it’s hard with the trash cans and boxes right outside. Could you move them?”

If that fails, Annie suggests looking in to local ordinances