I’m 21F, staying at my grandma’s (73) house while she goes south for the winter. It’s a 5-month arrangement, and she told one of her neighbors, a guy in his 50s who lives two houses down, that I’ll be there alone. She doesn’t know him super well but trusts him enough to mention it since he helps with snow removal.
I met him briefly, and he gave me an uneasy feeling. He barely talked, just stood there staring and smirking. My gut says to be cautious, especially since I don’t know what else my grandma may have told him—like codes or other details about the house.
I’m not accusing him of anything, just trying to stay safe and figure out what steps I should take to feel more secure. What precautions would you recommend? Am I overthinking this?
You should ask your grandma if she shared keys, door codes, or anything like that with him or anyone else. Say you just need to know who could potentially access the house while you’re there.
Good idea to check. If she did give out any codes, look up how to reset them. You could also get a new lock for $25 and swap it back when she returns. Keep track of who has access.
Make sure all windows are locked. You can also get hotel-style locks or door alarms for added security. Motion sensor lights outside can help too. Keep your phone handy, and try not to leave signs when you’re home or away.
A simple motion sensor kit could make you feel more secure. These are cheap, easy to set up, and will alert you to anyone approaching the house. They’re great for peace of mind, especially at night.
It’s smart to be cautious, but odds are this guy isn’t a threat. Still, trust your gut. Change the codes and maybe add a timer to a light so it always seems like someone’s home. Also, if you can, have a friend stop by occasionally to make it look like you’re not alone.
You could set up a cheap wifi camera or a video doorbell. Maybe tell the neighbor you have a boyfriend staying with you. It might help ease your nerves if you get to know him a little better too.
Doesn’t sound like he’s done anything sketchy yet, but it’s good to stay on guard. Maybe get to know the other neighbors too—they might be helpful if you ever feel uneasy.
What about him felt off to you? Sometimes our minds create fears where there’s no threat. Was it something specific? Is this area generally safe? Either way, taking precautions is always a good move.
I only interacted with him for five minutes, but he just stared at me while my grandma talked. He barely said anything, then smirked as we left. It could be nothing, but my intuition told me something wasn’t right. I’m not accusing him, just trying to be careful since he knows I’m there alone.
Always trust your gut. It’s better to take precautions and feel a bit over-prepared than ignore that feeling and regret it later. Secure the house, use some of the tips others shared, and don’t feel bad about being careful.
Look into a book called The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker. It talks a lot about listening to your instincts. You’re not overreacting by taking these precautions—just being smart.
Replace the screws in the door locks with longer ones for extra strength. You could also get portable door alarms or, depending on your comfort level, consider other self-defense options.
Use dowels or boards to secure windows so they can’t be opened, even a few inches. Put chairs or noise-making items near doors at night. Low-tech solutions can work just as well.
Maybe he’s just shy or socially awkward? Sometimes people seem off but are harmless. Try asking around to learn more about him or just keep your interactions polite and limited.
When I met him, he barely spoke. He just stood there while my grandma did most of the talking, then gave me a weird smirk. I don’t know anything about him other than he’s married and lives nearby. I’m just trying to be cautious since I’ll be here alone for a while.