Want to Know Whether Your Neighbor Is an 'R' or a 'D'? There's an App for That

Overall, Americans are a pretty friendly bunch. When left alone, we get along and try to just be kind and help each other out. When it comes to our neighbors, the folks who live just a few feet away, whether it is in a house or apartment, we look out for one another, we borrow a cup of sugar now and then, and we might even hang out on each other's porch on a warm summer evening and have a beer. Political affiliations don't often figure into being friendly with your neighbor; you just are. But now, for potential homebuyers, you can find out before you buy which way a particular area leans politically.

Something amazing just happened. My neighbor, a big Biden supporter in 2020 and hard core Democrat, (not far left liberal, but old school, died in the wool, straight ticket voting, moderate Democrat), just announced to me he’s switching parties and supporting Trump. He stated he… pic.twitter.com/3aiyieCzNU
— Jake Slade (@JakeSladeUSA) May 15, 2024

He stated he sees daily the destruction the Democrat party is causing America, says they’ve lost their way, and Trump and the GOP are the best option for the future of America. I never thought I would hear these words from this man. Folks, we’re winning.

Oyssey is a tech startup. This month, they are launching in South Florida and New York, two politically opposite states, a real estate platform that will allow prospective homebuyers to access neighborhood political leanings based on election results and campaign donations. The new platform is structured around the idea that information, such as age, education, and income, are just as influential to homebuyers as the layout or condition of the home.

Wanting to live around those who share your political beliefs is certainly not a new idea. A recent survey by Realtor.com showed that nearly 25 percent of Americans said that both the local and national political leanings of a particular area make a difference in where they choose to live. Of those surveyed, 38 percent said they thought their political beliefs matched those of their neighbors. Then, there are those who didn't think their beliefs aligned with their neighbors, 17 percent said that because of that, they had thought about moving.

As you might expect, these numbers change generationally. For millennials, 33 percent said that politics influences where they live, and 28 percent said they had considered moving because of politics. Surprisingly, just 25 percent of Gen Zers said politics was an important factor in where they live, followed by 21 percent of Gen Xers, and just 16 percent of baby boomers.

My "new" neighbors moved in two years ago. We rarely see them outside but when we do, we exchange cordial greetings. Never had any idea what his 'leanings' were until he put a sign in his yard last month.

"Trump 2024" .. guess they're ok 😇
— Glenn (@Glenn007) October 19, 2024

The miracle of the internet allows us to research the area we want to live in, including political leanings, but does an app merely streamline a process that people might be engaging in anyway? Does it result in super red or super blue areas? Does it become an opportunity for both left and right-leaning realtors to engage in a sort of ideological redlining? Full disclosure: I am a Republican Gen Xer who lives in a pretty blue area. Three times, I have put Trump signs, as well as signs for state GOP candidates, in my yard. The only time the Trump sign was stolen was in 2020, so I consider myself lucky. Also, in 2020, my neighbor, a millennial, had a Biden sign in his yard. Did it bother me enough to consider moving? No. But as a thankfully soon-to-be former constituent of Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), I think I would be curious to know where the red and blue pockets of my Congressional district are.

But here's the thing. If Republicans all live in the same areas, and there are not a few of us sprinkled among predominantly Democrat areas, shouldn't that give us some incentive to try to change hearts and minds? The idea of being around like-minded people is great, but how do we change those hearts and minds if we are cloistered together? As someone who likes where I live and as a member of my local Republican Club, that's important.

While being able to identify who the Republicans and Democrats are in the neighborhood might make for some spicy HOA meetings, are we losing the art of just being good neighbors to those who live around us, no matter who they are? That would be sad.

Also Read: Feel-Good Friday: 5-Year-Old Who Saved His Neighbors in a House Fire Earns Worthy Hero's Reward

Lifelong Democrat Realizes That Republicans Are Better Neighbors https://t.co/qvSr46f3Hf via @YouTube
— Victory2024 (@Victory202424) December 17, 2024