I think it depends on where you are in your life, as far as what constitutes good neighbours. My answer today is probably very different than it would have been twenty years ago.
Twenty years ago a young family moved into the house across the street from us, (us being myself, my kids and my ex-husband). At that time I had just a daughter and a son. This family also had a daughter and a son, almost the exact same ages as my kids.
I took over something I had baked, I can’t remember what and she returned my plate with chocolate chip cookies. The kind where the dough is already made and kept in the refrigerator I’m sure of it.
Anyway we all became fast friends. Neighbourly friends but friends just the same. The kids ran back and forth between our house and theirs. We got babysitters and socialized on weekends together.
Her kids became like my own kids and I know she thought the same of mine. It was bliss.
I had a third child and two years later she had a third child. Those two third children became fast friends as well, despite the age difference. Cordelia loved having someone littler than her to boss around and entertain her.
In 2009 we were invited with friends to the Dominican Republic and we invited these neighbours to come along. There was a large group of us and overall we had a great time.
Eventually my marriage ended as did theirs. The kids are all still good friends, for the most part which I love to see. But as for the four of us parents, we all drifted apart.
I believe she slept with my ex after I moved out and her ex was very angry about it. I couldn’t care less. He still lives in the house across the street from where my ex husband lives but now they don’t even look at each other much less say hi or get together for a beer.
I will still say hi and stop to chat with him (the former neighbour) if I see him and I would her too but she moved to another province.
Nowadays I’m not interested in getting to know neighbours beyond hi over the fence or from the driveway. Maybe I’m once bitten twice shy? Or just way less sociable. It’s probably that.
bloom.planted.north 
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