Romanians and Their Neighbors: What Defines the Ideal Neighbor?

Insights from a National Survey by Storia, the Real Estate Platform Powered by OLX

A recent survey conducted by Storia – the real estate platform developed by OLX – explored how Romanians perceive their neighbors and what factors influence harmonious cohabitation. The findings reveal that kindness and respect are the most valued qualities in a neighbor, as cited by 47% of respondents.

Peace and quiet also rank high on the list, being an essential criterion for 41% of Romanians. In contrast, only 6% of respondents consider community involvement or a willingness to help as important traits, suggesting a more individualistic approach to neighborhood relationships.

Who Makes the Ideal Neighbor?

Preferences vary when it comes to the “perfect neighbor.” Young couples are perceived as the most desirable neighbors, scoring an average of 3.31 out of 5. They are followed by single individuals (3.11), families with children (3.02), and elderly people (2.91).

At the opposite end of the spectrum, students are seen as the least desirable neighbors, receiving a score of 2.65 out of 5, likely due to their association with a more active and potentially noisy lifestyle.

What Annoys Romanians About Their Neighbors?

The most common complaints regarding neighbors include disrespectful behavior and aggressive attitudes, mentioned by 56% of respondents, followed by excessive noise (35%). Other issues such as disregard for shared spaces (6%) and lack of communication (3%) were less frequently cited.

Despite these concerns, nearly 46% of respondents said they have never had any problems with their neighbors, suggesting a generally harmonious cohabitation overall.

Living Environment Shapes Perceptions

House vs. Apartment: Differences in Neighbor Relations

The survey shows a clear difference in how people value neighborly relationships depending on their type of housing. 39% of house dwellers consider good relations with neighbors to be very important, compared to 30% of apartment residents.

House residents are also more likely to interact daily with their neighbors (39%) compared to apartment dwellers (31%).

When it comes to bothersome behaviors, lack of respect and aggression are the top issues for all types of housing, cited by 62% of house residents and 53% of apartment residents.

Excessive noise ranks second for those living in apartments (39%), reflecting a problem specific to multi-family buildings. For those living in houses, this concern is less prominent (28%).

Generational Differences in Neighbor Expectations

Across all age groups, Romanians value respectful and kind neighbors. This trait is appreciated by:

• 48% of Gen Z (18–28 years old)
• 46% of Millennials (29–44 years old)
• 48% of Gen X (45–60 years old)
• 45% of Baby Boomers (61–79 years old)

Beyond that, the definition of an ideal neighbor shifts slightly by generation. For younger respondents under 44, quietness is the second most important trait – highlighted by 42% of Gen Z and 43% of Millennials. For those over 60, willingness to help becomes more relevant (13%, compared to only 5–6% among younger groups).

Community involvement is also more appreciated by older generations – 7% of Gen X and 6% of Baby Boomers value this trait, versus less than 5% among younger people.

As people age, they place more value on neighborly relations: only 24% of Gen Z see a good relationship with neighbors as “very important,” compared to 42% of Baby Boomers.

Frequency of Interaction

Gen X reports the highest daily interactions with neighbors: 38% interact daily, and 29% at least weekly. On the other hand, Gen Z shows the least interaction, with only 23% speaking to their neighbors daily, while 36% rarely do so.

About the Study

This analysis was conducted by Storia, part of the “Smart Way Home” initiative, which aims to increase transparency in real estate by providing valuable insights to buyers, renters, owners, agents, and developers – helping them make informed decisions.

The survey was published on Storia and OLX Imobiliare in February 2025, with responses collected from 1,904 participants.