My neighbors leaves, bamboo, boards, limbs, scrap metal is changing the landscape... at least 1.5 feet above ground level and leaning against my chain link fence.

I bought my home 2 years ago. I have started to build retaining walls in order to keep their leaves from spilling over into my yard and causing me more yard work.:(

I had a chance to point this out to them this week. Their response was.--why we haven't been back there for 30 years and they smiled as if this is the way it is. :confused:

HOw can I get the message across nicely without having to call the city and make enemies?? :?

They obviously don't care about the nice guy approach with you
Call the board of health and your towns inspector
There are ordinances in most towns about health issues with messy yards.

Other than that maybe offer to clean it up for them. If they say no ask them why not since you haven't been back there in 30 years anyway.

Nice does not work if they don't want to

Check with the city for any ordinances that would apply to this situation and insist that the neighbor be cited for these problems. The city will make them clean it up regardless of how long the problem has been there. As far as making waves in the neighborhood - why not? You live there too, and would like to have a nice, clean, safe, great looking yard. Is that so bad? No. Stick to your guns rather than just build a fence or retaining wall to keep the offending leaves out.