A new survey has revealed where the nosiest neighbours in the UK live, and Manchester’s earned itself the top spot.
In an ideal world, we’d all love to just get along with our neighbours.
That’s not always possible, though, as some neighbours are loud, others are inconsiderate, and a few may even attempt to have a sneaky-peak through your blinds after you leave for work.
But where exactly do the so-called “nosiest” neighbours in the UK live? Well, in an attempt to figure this out, leading electricals and appliance brand, Hisense, decided to ask the British public for their all-important thoughts on the matter.
The company surveyed a total of 1,000 UK adults to figure out just how nosey we are as a nation, and ultimately uncover which city is home to the nosiest of us.
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The research was conducted as part of Hisense’s ‘Choose Smarter‘ campaign, which is all about encouraging consumers to make considered purchases, and get their hands on the latest premium technology without the premium price tag.
Mancunians have been revealed as the ‘nosiest’ neighbours in the UK / Credit: Noelle Otto (via Pexels) | Hisence UK
First off, the research revealed that two thirds of Manchester households (67%) believe it’s important to keep-up appearances when comparing themselves to others on the street – with mowing the lawn (14%), travelling to the same destination (12%), and buying a new car (10%) topping the charts when it came to the nation responding to their neighbours’ actions.
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So it probably comes as no surprise that almost half the nation (47%) are so-called ‘curtain twitchers’ and consider themselves to be a nosey neighbour, right? Well, this is even more so the case in here in Manchester, as apparently 63% of Mancs would put ourselves into that category, making us the nosiest city in the UK.
Not only that, but a surprisingly-high 37% of us have even taken it that one step further and admitted to spying on our neighbours.
Wow, okay then.
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Top 5 UK cities with the ‘nosiest’ neighbours
Manchester (63%)
Sheffield (53%)
Newcastle (53%)
London (52%)
Nottingham (51%)
“Naturally people compare themselves to others, in particular to those close to them,” explained Dr Cathrine Jansson-Boyd, who is a consumer psychologist.
“Hence, they tend to keep a close eye on the people around them – what they wear, what gadgets they have, and even what changes they make to their house, because if others have something that is particularly appealing, that they either don’t have or that is better than what they have, a ‘want’ to get the same or something better kicks in.
“An if they don’t, they may end up feeling second-rate. It is like a subconscious game of keeping up with the Joneses.”
Featured Image – ITV
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Two North West cities named among the ‘noisiest’ in the UK – including Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A new analysis has revealed a list of the noisiest cities in the UK, and two Greater Manchester locations are in the top five.
From blaring sirens and car horns, to house parties, barking dogs, and loud neighbours, escaping the noise of a city can feel almost impossible – even in your own home.
No matter whether you live in the hustle and bustle, or you’re out in the sleepier suburbs, noise can keep you up at night, disturb your peace, and lead to frustration. But just how loud are Greater Manchester’s cities compared to the rest of the UK? In a bid to get to the bottom of it, Alpine Hearing Protection has done some research to compile a top 10 list.
And both Salford and Manchester have found themselves not just within the top 10, but within the top five… and to make matters worse, Salford has actually claimed the number one spot.
The reason Salford has found itself at the top of the list, according to the research, is because it sits at the intersection of several major transport and urban hubs, with major motorways running through or around the city including the M60, M61, and M62.
Major rail routes also run through the city – including via Salford Crescent – which sees 16 million passengers every year, and also leads to Manchester Airport.
Top 10 noisiest cities in the UK
Salford
Portsmouth
Manchester
Southampton
London
Leeds
Stoke-on-Trent
Wakefield
Newcastle upon Tyne
Bradford
Parts of Salford are also very built-up, making pockets of the city noisy – especially in the concentrated centre where traffic, construction, nightlife and commercial activity get loud.
And of course, like any growing city, construction noises have been noted as ‘particularly bothersome’ for residents where major developments are springing up.
Manchester is third on the list of noisiest cities, due to many of the same reasons as Salford.
But the difference being that Mancunians are noted as one of the many reasons why the city is so loud – with residents making 5,301 noise complaints across Manchester between January 2024 and January 2025, and Hulme identified the loudest area with 304 complaints.
As well all know, Manchester is also home to many universities, which brings an active nightlife scene to the region, especially in the city centre, and in recent FOI data, it was revealed that the University of Manchester saw 2,049 noise complaints in the last five years.
Motorists warned of common winter driving habit that could land them with annoying fines
Emily Sergeant
With the temperatures drastically dropping now as we head into winter, motorists are being warned against a common driving habit.
On a wintry morning when the windscreens are frozen and your hands are equally as frozen too, it’s pretty common for drivers to start the engine, turn the heater right up, and remain stationary for several minutes to warm the car up before setting off on their journey… but did you know that doing this could see you, inadvertently, fall foul of the law?
That’s right – as ridiculous as it sounds, leaving your car engine running ‘unnecessarily’ while parked on a public road is illegal.
And to make matters worse, the rules on ‘engine idling’, as it’s known, apply regardless of whether the driver is using the heating, waiting for someone, or simply sitting in the vehicle.
Known as a stationary idling offence, Rule 123 of the Highway Code states that drivers must not leave a vehicle’s engine running unnecessarily while it is stationary on a public road, and according to the rule, a fixed penalty of up to £80 can be issued, right there and then.
Motorists are being warned of a common winter driving habit that could land them with annoying fines / Credit: PickPik | Wikimedia Commons
Fines will only be handed out if a motorist is stopped by a police officer who asks them to switch the engine off, and they fail to comply.
“However tempting it might be to sit in a vehicle with the engine running and the heater on to warm up, we strongly advice against it,” commented RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis.
“As well as polluting the air and wasting fuel, drivers who leave their engines idling unnecessarily on a public road also risk an on-the-spot fine of £80. On cold mornings, the best approach is to clear any ice or snow properly and ensure windows are fully de-misted before setting off, then get on your way and let the car warm you up.”
There are some exceptions to the rule, however, as keeping the engine running is permitted in certain circumstances.
This includes when a vehicle is stationary because of traffic conditions, when the engine needs to run so a mechanical fault can be investigated, or if certain work is being carried out on the side of the road.
Emily Sergeant -
8th January 2024 
