A quarter of Britons have not spoken to their neighbours for at least six months while others have never talked to those living next door to them at all, survey reveals
- Almost one in ten Britons have never talked to their neighbours at all
- Those aged 18 to 34 have least contact with the people living around them
- 18 per cent do not know the name of a single one of their neighbours
A quarter of Britons have not spoken to any of their neighbours for at least six months, according to a shocking new survey.
Indeed, almost one in ten have never talked to their neighbours at all (7 per cent).
The research into the state of neighbourhoods in modern Britain found those aged 18 to 34 have least contact with the people living around them.
One in five of these young adults (18 per cent) do not know the name of a single one of their neighbours.
The research into the state of neighbourhoods in modern Britain found those aged 18 to 34 have least contact with the people living around them
A quarter of younger people, among the poll of 2,000 adults by rental housing company Greystar, claimed they lacked opportunity to mix with those they live next to.
However, a sense of community does exist in some areas, largely among those a bit older.
One in six of us (17 per cent) say we count at least five of our neighbours as actual friends. The study found those living in Bristol are most likely to consider five or more neighbours as friends.
Meanwhile those in Norwich and in the East of England were most friendly with their neighbours, with at least half speaking to them on a weekly basis.
The study found those living in Bristol (pictured) are most likely to consider five or more neighbours as friends
It seems the research comes at a time when the cost of living crisis may restrict our opportunities to connect with those around us.
Nearly a third of Brits say they are planning to cut back on socialising over the next six months, and just a fifth insist they will not cut back on leisure and socialising at all.
Bella Peacock, Managing Director at Greystar Europe, said: ‘Everybody needs good neighbours, so it’s disheartening to see how many of us have little or no interaction with those we live alongside, particularly in our nation’s largest cities.
‘As we start a New Year, we are at real risk of a pandemic of urban loneliness.’
The research shows that living in a city typically makes it harder for young adults to connect.
The research found that those in Norwich (pictured) and in the East of England were most friendly with their neighbours, with at least half speaking to them on a weekly basis
While it’s less of an issue for older adults, those aged 18 to 34 said they found it more difficult to make friends in the city, with London the hardest place in which to connect.
Two fifths (38 per cent) of those quizzed were nervous about reaching out to new people, while a similar proportion found those around them unapproachable.
Young adults are more likely to say that living amongst those of a similar age makes it easier to strike up friendships.
A third (28 per cent) of Britons believe activities and events in the street, building or area they live in and shared social spaces (18 per cent) would make them feel more like part of a community.
In total, 25 per cent of Britons quizzed had not spoken to a single neighbour in the past six months.
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