[xeromal]

I grew up in Georgia (the state) and besides Atlanta, it is still very much that way. When I stop by my grandparents house, if they're not home I'll just walk on in and pour myself some tea while I wait or watch TV. Their neighbor mows their yard if none of the family can make it over to do it.

Even only 40 mins from Atlanta, people still do that. I guess you call it a high-trust society? It's really only in the big American cities where that trust goes missing.

[busterarm]

Moved from NYC to South Carolina and the culture shock is real.

Doors aren't locked. Neighbors help each other out with stuff like mowing, or bringing bins up/down driveways on trash day. No words are exchanged about it either.

I removed the rust and repainted my mailbox this weekend and then went around the neighborhood to do the same for others while I had spare time and spare paint left.

This is what I moved here for. No way will I stop working remote and go back.

[xeromal]

Welcome to Appalachia. We have many issues but we get a couple of things right.

[busterarm]

I'm in Midlands SC (and some time in Lowcountry before it). Technically we're just outside of Appalachia, but yeah the attitude applies.

Heck, half of our state seems to be from Southern Ohio anyway!

[xeromal]

Funny how that works. A lot of people from Appalachia and the Deep South migrated to Ohio and the midwest for jobs in the early 1900s

[askin4it]

By and large true, but there are some sketchy rural places, and some rural places that are safe but not friendly....such as the place I moved back when I assumed all rural people were neighborly.

[busterarm]

No doubt. And honestly where I am at wouldn't be considered rural. There are farms 5 minutes down the road from me but we're comfortably suburban.

One thing people need to keep in mind these days is that some folks seek out the most rural places because they don't want to be bothered. Some of them have something to hide too.

[qup]

Can confirm, I don't own a key to my own home. I bought it without a key and I've never thought to get one.

My neighbor gave me the code to his safe (full of gold coins), "just in case."

[funnymony]

You should not reveal that you know the code and especially the content of neighbour’s safe. Your physical surroundings might be safe, but internet is not.

[qup]

My physical surroundings are not safe, per se. My location doesn't determine my vulnerability. Anyone can attack anyone for any reason.

But I agree with your comment's sentiment. I considered it, but only after the edit period was up. I generally consider myself anonymous here, which actually isn't true.

Thanks for taking the time.

[xeromal]

I'm sure your neighbor trusts that you'll let their heirs/widow access to the coins should the need arise. Life is that much better when you can trust people like that.

[agnosticmantis]

Maybe I misread the thread, but I’d find it a bit surprising (though not unlikely) that they would trust their neighbors more than their widow and heirs. Maybe they’re close friends that happen to be neighbors too, but then being neighbors would be a bit of a red herring.

[Dalewyn]

I'm going to lay it out flat with you: Family relations are shit. There are tons of toes that should not be stepped on, there are "we're family" reasonings that might as well be under-the-table dealings you need to keep track of, if inheritances are on the line then who knows who has a knife ready to stab you in the back.

Friends and neighbours by contrast are platonic, they are relatively simpler relationships. In fact, because they are so simple, there is much more value in trust and honesty because anyone who is dishonorable will instantly lose that relationship. Family relations aren't like that because most relationships can't be easily deleted.

As the saying goes, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Your closest relationships are your family.

[busterarm]

This isn't to insult the professions of people who show up to your house in emergencies, but elderly folks are known to hide cash away and more than once have I heard of situations where first responders tossed a person's house looking for valuables.

Giving a trusted neighbor access and information about the contents is to protect those things for your heirs -- or to get you out of a jam.

[xeromal]

I generally operate in life assuming the best intentions out of everyone unless proven otherwise. I don't try looking for an ulterior motive

[PaulHoule]

Many people in upstate NY live in houses without doors that lock. (If somebody is going to travel a long way to your house and there are no witnesses they can just smash down the door anyway.)

On the other hand, despite being the home of anti-gun crusaders such as Mike Bloomberg, I’d reckon that half of the houses in upstate NY have a loaded gun stashed somewhere around the bed. I would bear that in mind if attempting any sort of home invasion.

[aintgonnatakeit]

These are excellent for murdering folks who accidentally turn into the wrong driveway.

[qup]

Locks?