Just like TV soap Neighbours, Scots rely on each other

The report by Halifax Home Insurance also found the UK is more neighbourly than it was five years ago.

Scotland scored 100 points out of a maximum 121 on the so-called neighbourliness barometer, which marked regions on 11 categories.

The lowest score was recorded in the north east of England, which clocked 41 points, and London came second to last with only 46 points.

Vicky Emmott, senior research manager at Halifax Home Insurance, said: "We looked at factors such as strength of friendship with neighbours, the extent to which we would seek advice from neighbours, the sense of safety and security within neighbourhoods and a variety of other measures.

What the results reflect is the enduring human need for a sense of belonging with others around them Peter Marsh Social Issues Research Centre

"We then rated each region based on the responses and from this were able to create a map of British neighbourliness which represents a fascinating insight into community relations in Britain today."

The research also reveals nearly 13.1 million people would count neighbours as close friends, with 42% socialising with them regularly.

More than half of those surveyed (53%) admitted their neighbours were their lifeline if they found themselves locked out without a key.

Peter Marsh of the Social Issues Research Centre, who analysed the results of the study, said: "This research shows that Britain remains a neighbourly country, despite gloomy prognoses to the contrary.

Good friends

"What the results reflect is the enduring human need for a sense of belonging with others around them.

"Our cities, towns and lifestyles may have changed quite markedly over the past century, or even the past decade, but our need to be part of a community remains."

For people of retirement age, neighbours tended to also be good friends with whom they socialise.

Younger people, on the other hand, tended to distinguish between neighbours and their main circle of friends.

They socialised much less frequently with people in the immediate vicinity, according to the report, which questioned 1,000 adults about their relationships with their neighbours.

Your comments

Sweden has become one of the most intolerant countries in Europe Duncan, Stockholm, Sweden

My father was Scottish, and I am a British citizen. My wife is from Brazil, we have two young children, we live in Stockholm Sweden and I am planning for us to move from here, because Sweden has become one of the most intolerant countries in Europe. We have almost no social contact, and employment is next to impossible for foreigners here. I am eager to learn as much as possible about conditions in Britain before returning. I have been expatriate for most of my life, so I am grateful for any information concerning life and work in various parts of Britain.
Duncan Gavin Lawson, Stockholm, Sweden

My neighbour fixed my car for me when I was out at work yesterday. The coolant pipes were leaking and needed replaced. He built me a full new system using copper pipes that he had bent and welded into shape. Had it fitted in my car for me by the time I got home. Must have taken him hours. Then all he would take was the �10 to cover the parts he used and the transmission fluid he went and bought. Top bloke!
David, Falkirk, Scotland

I was brought up in the north of Scotland and spent 10 years in Edinburgh before moving to London. People in the north of Scotland and Edinburgh tended to be very clicky although not necessarily unfriendly. Here people accept you as you are and are generally happy to make conversation that doesn't centre around your family background.
Fiona, London

We are moving from Edinburgh to Glasgow next year due to career changes. I have to say that the neighbours we have, are stand-offish in the extreme! We had both couples over (with their kids) last summer and spent a lot of money on a delicious spread. We have only just been invited back by one couple this weekend - but the other lot walk past with their noses in the air or only look if they are forced to. Me and my husband have been told that Glasgow neighbours are amongst the friendliest in the world - they can't be any worse than what we have got at the moment!
Georgina, Edinburgh

I am pleased to hear that "sense of community" is still important in the world. As a Canadian I look forward to visiting "neighbourly Scotland" in the near future. PS Canadians are friendly too!
Denise Lauinger, Vancouver, Canada

When I lived in Glasgow, Scotland, we had the best neighbours you could ask for and we still keep in touch after 38 years. I lived in Toronto, Canada, for 24 years and my neighbours were polite and considerate, but not close. I have now lived in Memphis for 15 years and I find that they really have southern hospitality, our neighbours are terrific.
Ken Baigrie, Memphis, United States

My old street in Dunfermline was very friendly and was very much like a sitcom Michael Robertson, Aberdeen

I live in flats in Aberdeen. I'm a student so spend a lot of time in the flat working, however, the only time I hear my neighbours is them leaving to go to work in the morning and returning at night, no one really talks to each other. However, my old street in Dunfermline was very friendly and was very much like a sitcom.
Michael Robertson, Aberdeen

It seems there is an urban v. suburban/rural divide on neighbourliness. I didn't know my neighbours in Los Angeles until the Northridge earthquake of 1994. It is probably the hustle and bustle, more transient nature of urban life nowadays, and the "don't get involved and don't talk to strangers" mentality, that reduces neighbourliness.
In the 7 years I lived in Manhattan, I found that neighbourliness began with me. When I moved into my flat, the fellow tenants in on the floor of my apartment building there all knew and liked each other. For a couple of years we joked about having a "Neighbourhood Association" for our floor alone. But, now after 7 years we mostly all live elsewhere. Is that sad or just the transient nature of urban life in places like London, New York, Los Angeles and probably other major cities around the world?
Dan, Santa Monica, California, USA

Friendly neighbours London? You must be joking! My 5 year old nephew fell off his bike and was lying on the floor crying his eyes out, the guy who lives down the road walked past him!
Kam, London

My job took me from Edinburgh to London 5 years ago where I have found a huge contrast in neighbourliness. London has to be the only place in the world where you can stand on a train platform with 500 other people and still hear a pin drop. Nobody speaks to each other and making eye contact is simply not done. This is the problem with a transient community, nobody thinks they'll be here long-term so they don't make the effort. The suburban areas (Richmond, Kingston etc) are better but still nowhere close to Edinburgh.
Sarah, Richmond, London

I think Londoners are getting a bit of a raw deal here. I lived in London (north and south of the river) for many years, and always had nice friendly neighbours!
Annia, UK

My neighbour recently cut my fence in half with a chainsaw, and throws cigarette ends and half eaten food and other rubbish into my garden. Does anyone in Scotland fancy a house swap?
David, Yorkshire

I've lived in my rented flat for seven months now, and I don't even know what most of my neighbours look like.
Mark, Carshalton, Surrey

Local social contacts generally come through children or household members being at home all day. Living alone and working full time my social circle is built through common interests rather than physical proximity.
Peter, Bucks, UK

I was brilliant friends with all my neighbours and we never had any trouble with boisterous parties or loud music because all the neighbours were invited. Elstow in Bedfordshire is one of the friendliest, prettiest and most community minded places in England. I wish I hadn't had to leave. At least I'm still in touch with three or four households still and count them as some of my closest friends.
Angela, WGC, Herts

I live in Catford which has always been the butt of many jokes for years, it is however one of the most neighbourly boroughs in London John Graham, London

I live in Catford which has always been the butt of many jokes for years, it is however one of the most neighbourly boroughs in London, all my neighbours are great and good friends, always speak and say Hi and its a friendly area overall, and we have a council that appreciates us and works for us not against us
John Graham, London

A few years ago I fainted on the street in Scotland, having tried to run up a hill too fast after giving blood. Coming round, I was dimly aware of cars stopping and people gathering round to see if I was OK. Someone recognised me and three women grabbed a limb each to bundle me into a car and take me home. They delivered me to my family (still very woozy) and off they went. If I fainted in the road here in Surrey, no one would stop in case I was drunk or trying a ruse to rob them - and if they did stop, it would be to kick me or steal my handbag!
KH, Surrey - formerly East Lothian, Scotland

I recently moved to Wigan from Scotland. I have found it extremely unfriendly and unwelcoming, people tend to put their heads down when they pass rather look at you. The neighbours barely notice you are alive and I doubt they would even recognise me as being a neighbour. The neighbourhood I used to live in, in the North of Scotland was brilliant, everyone was warm, helpful always popping round for coffee and a chat. I could rely on them for anything I would regard the majority of my x-neighbours as close friends who still keep in contact with me now.
Pamela, Wigan, Lancs

Most of our neighbours in our Glasgow tenement are perfectly considerate, decent people who are glad to help each other out. However, it only takes one bad apple to spoil things. In our case, our downstairs 'neighbours' have spent well over two years trying to convert an office into two flats. During this time, we have been subjected to every kind of disruption imaginable, particularly noise and dust, and the odd bit of damage to our own property. The prolonged disruption has pretty much wrecked my health - there can't be too many people who go to work to relax. As far as un-neighbourly behaviour goes, I've never encountered anything remotely like it, and I've spent most of my life as a tenement-dweller...
AG, Glasgow, Scotland

I have lived in a block of flats in North London for about 10 months now and I have only met 2 of my neighbours! It would seem hardly anyone talks to anyone else, I only met one of my neighbours when he came up to tell us to make less noise. My parents on the other hand live just outside North-West London and they have a really nice community feel, the whole street do things together on a regular basis.
AS, London, UK

I've lived in South East London all my life, and moved further south 13 years ago, the people that are still living here from I have arrived are lovely people who you can count on if needed but the new younger people who are moving in are unfriendly to the point of ignoring our good mornings! Making me miss the people who have moved away even more.
Tracie D, South East London

A few years ago I decided to retire to Falkirk in Scotland close to where I was born. I was shocked by the bigotry I encountered and was delighted to be offered employment back in England where I now live happily and have no intention of repeating the experience.
Andrew Marshall, Farnham

I disagree about young people being unsociable. I am 21 and visit neighbours who range from 19-65 and we always have a good laugh no matter the age. Bad times and good times are shared alike. House parties tend to end up being street parties and if you need a shoulder to cry on there's no shortage. They're as good as family and I wouldn't change that for anything.
Gillian, Falkirk, Scotland

Until recently a quiet area, neighbourly but unobtrusively so, everyone ready to look out for and help each other without interfering. However, as much new housing is being stuffed into the area we are trying to be optimistic that this will continue.
Jude B, Sarisbury Green, Fareham, England

I think this is accurate enough - in Edinburgh a sizable population live in 'tenement style' flats, with a communal stair-well. Of the people I know who also live in tenements, nearly all keep a key with a neighbour. People also look out for each other, for instance in the case of security, if someone were to break in then all neighbours are roughly equally at risk. I would also agree that people (younger people) tend not to socialise with neighbours, although it's fairly common for neighbours in the stairwell to invite you if they are holding a party, out of courtesy, and in the hope that they will be more lenient if it gets noisy. I've certainly done it myself and had other people do it to me.
Michael Talker, Edinburgh, UK

It is in rural and coastal towns, where tourism is key, that you will find a lot of rude and ignorant neighbours. Many of them are "townies" who have bought holiday homes, either using them at weekends, or renting them out. People just turn up for their holiday, not considering the fact that we live next door. They don't care about noise, where they park, or being courteous. They can walk away from the place and leave us to pick up the pieces from having nights of disturbed sleep, from being the recipients of nasty comments and from dreading the thought of who is going to turn up next. No, I should not have to accept it just because of where I live. By the way, the rest of my neighbours are fine.
Richard, Highcliffe, Dorset

I have been living in Hamilton, Scotland for the last year having moved here from Redhill, Surrey. Although Scots are very friendly people as I have experienced during my time here, but the neighbourhood where I live isn't as friendly as a Scottish neighbourhood should be. The most you get to hear from anyone around here is a hiya and that's it. They don't even care to exchange proper greetings. All the neighbours around here are so cold and distant. They don't live up to the standard of the friendly Scottish people I have normally found on the streets.
Mrs Khan, Lanark, Lanarkshire

We live in a quiet little road and have an excellent sense of community here. I would not want to live anywhere else and having London's biggest park on your doorstep is wonderful.
Paul Middleton, Kingston-upon-Thames UK

Fourteen years ago we had just moved to Cornwall and my wife had to go into hospital, parents of other children in my daughter's class arranged for my son to be looked after in the morning, both children to be looked after when school finished. I did not know these people, my wife had had "time of day" chats with them. Their neighbourly attitude, kindness and consideration will stay with me always. This was just a single example of the neighbours who were exceptionally kind and supportive during our 12 year stay in Cornwall.
Ian Greenhill, Northampton, England

I live in a fairly busy road in Windsor, where most of the residents work full time so don't see each other too much. Despite this there, is a sense of community and just a simple "Good Morning" seems to promote the feeling of belonging. I know that most of us would gladly step in, if any of our neighbours needed our help, whether it be to water their plants or to sign for an expected delivery. The British often receive bad press for their cool demeanour but I would say that in my experience, the majority of the people in this country are very decent folk with a good sense of neighbourliness!
Helen, Windsor, UK

Very neighbourly area. On a walk up to the village main street many people will say hello as they pass. Shop staff are friendly and like a chat. The four houses in close proximity to my home all take their share at house-sitting when someone is on holiday. On bin day, if someone is at home during the day, they will bring in the other neighbours' bins and will also take in deliveries for if you know you're not going to be around to get them. All in all it's a great little place to live.
Helen Ternent, Dalry, North Ayrshire, Scotland

Very good neighbours. Couldn't wish for better.
Janet Smith, Inverness, Scotland

My father was Scottish, and I am a British citizen. My wife is from Brazil, we have two young children, and I am planning to move from here, because Sweden has become one of the most intolerant countries in Europe. We have almost no social contact, and employment is next to impossible for foreigners here. I am eager to learn as much as possible about conditions in Britain before returning.
Duncan Gavin Lawson, Stockholm, Sweden

You can only measure your neighbours by how good a neighbour you are Sandy Mutch, Dundee

Having lived all over Scotland, the friendliest places I've stayed in is Dundee - and that's why I'm not moving. In the three houses I've had in Dundee, I've benefited form all sorts of kindness and regard. I've been being taken out for a welcome pint, lent all sorts of gardening tools, gotten help with my car when it needed fixing and, when my mum who's 82 comes to stay, the neighbours pop in and take her a cake or a magazine while I'm at work. But it's often just a cheery 'hello' or 'how are you doing' that makes me feel like this is home. I have to say, I think you can only measure your neighbours by how good a neighbour you are and I like to think I look out for them and I'm there for them when they need me.
Sandy Mutch, Dundee

I have lived in a number of urban and rural areas during my life. But never, ever, have I encountered a people so neighbourly and friendly as here in Islay. Perhaps the whisky helps?
Prof APM Coxon, Port Ellen (Islay) Scotland

Our neighbours are brilliant. We lend each other tools, take in parcels for each other, mow each others lawns etc. If I am away, I will give my keys to my neighbours to pop in and out of the house to feed the cats. We look out for each other!
Paul, Wales

When I lived in North Wales I knew all my neighbours by name, we would all have a drink together of an evening and chat over the fence or wave across the street. If someone needed a hand then everyone else would pitch in and help out. Since moving to Leicestershire, I have no idea who my neighbours are, although the older folks seem willing to have a chat; the younger people don't want to know you.
Jeremy, Leicester, UK