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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Comment
Ashe Davenport

There’s more privacy out of the city. For a stickybeak like me, that’s a disaster

‘My family and I escaped the inner city in search of more space and less contaminated air … but I miss people.’
‘My family and I escaped the inner city in search of more space and less contaminated air … but I miss people.’ Photograph: jamesphillips/Getty Images/RooM RF

Six months ago I moved from the city to the outer suburbs and I’m yet to meet either of my next-door neighbours. On the day we arrived, a couple across the street said hello but it turns out they are the exception to the rule. People on my street tend to keep to themselves.

My last place was on a main road in Melbourne’s inner north. From my bedroom window I was eye level with the passengers of the 508 bus. My kitchen window was almost directly opposite my neighbour’s. I had a direct line of vision into people’s lives, and it gave me a sense of comfort.

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