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Dear Eric,
Nine years ago, we moved into what we hoped would be our peaceful dream retirement home—and for the most part, it has been just that. We’ve loved the area, our home, and the life we’ve built here. But there’s been one lingering issue we haven’t been able to shake.
About a year after we moved in, new neighbors bought the house next door. The previous owners had installed a large, homemade sandbox in their backyard—framed with railroad ties and covered with a sheet of plywood. It was unattractive, to say the least, and we never saw the original family or their children make any use of it.
When our new neighbors arrived, we quietly hoped they’d remove it. But now, eight years later, that sandbox is still there. The plywood covering is collapsing, and the whole thing is an eyesore—especially since it’s fully visible from our living and dining room windows.
Over the years, I’ve been tempted many times to bring it up, but I’ve always held my tongue. We’ve maintained a good relationship with them—friendly, respectful, and even helpful in various ways. I’ve never wanted to put that at risk.
But after nearly a decade of looking at this crumbling sandbox, I can’t help but feel some resentment. It’s their property, yes, and we don’t have an HOA, so they’re technically free to leave it as is. But is there any polite, respectful way I can ask them to remove it—without damaging our relationship or overstepping?
Or would doing so be crossing a line?
Sincerely,
Tired of the View