Walls

[MrTallPaul]

Why don't Americans have walls around thier properties?

[worder]

planning/zoning/subdivision/city codes and/or covenants found in deeds/mortagages/leases/ and contracts for deeds. being from south america, i love walls. they would keep neighbours and everybody from walking in my yard, but i don't have much of a choice living in the south east of the US, that's the way it is. many times subdivision regulations are tougher than city regulations and the tougher one prevails. someone i know lives in Taberna, an expensive subdivision, and she can't even have a swing in her patio, and no walls.

[Philtaz]

Coz they've got guns instead!

[worder]

i forgot to mention that sometimes you're gonna find no tresspassing signs posted on some private properties' trees. having owned a business in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and posted those signs myself to keep people from parking overnight on my premises, i was a bit shocked to see those here in New Bern. i remember one time driving into the country with my boyfriend to see his family who lives only 30 minutes away in what i call the outback (people here are not very pleased by it), by mistake i went into the wrong driveway and my boyfriend said- are you crazy getting into people's driveways like that? i thought he was joking, later explained that one time he had gone to his uncle's house, also in the boondocks, he didn't recognize him, and started shooting, my boyfriend had to scream- hey uncle , it's me Danny. how's that for a welcome? i guess it's the remains of the wild west. i thought a picture for philtaz comment was befitting. have a great day.

[Drewhound]

Because walls have ears and the Patriot act is making them all feel a little spooked?

[Lola60]

My goodness, this makes it sound like all Americans carry arms, and that's just not true. We do, however, have very specific laws about property lines. We know our boundries but any walls built accidentally on another's property can rack up the costs to both neighbors if they aren't careful. A lot of folks don't like the feeling of walls penning them in. They might have hedges or trees to grant them privacy But our yards, or "gardens" as you call them, are pretty large in suburbia and out in rural areas so walls are not only unnecessary but expensive. If needed, fences are a better alternative. Some neighbors I know like to keep the space open to make visiting and having parties easier. You can usually tell the property line there by where the lawnmower has mowed. ;-)

[bagel]

Often its because of zoning laws. I think the people who made those laws, were stoned