Teresa, I admire your consistency that you ask the same questions of yourself that you have asked others to ask of themselves. I shall now demonstrate my consistency that, having defended others against you, my inclination is to defend you against him.
Having experienced people being 'uncomfortable' with me for a large proportion of my life, my sentiments regarding your neighbour are slightly more nuclear than what has been expressed here so far, but if he is capable of being reasoned with eventually, then I would support persistence with that approach. Your acceptance percentage in the neighbourhood is high enough anyway that I don't think you need him, but I understand your self-questioning and can imagine that him having been there first might make you evaluate towards his favour. However, the fact that your presentation has been consistent from day one adds in favour of you, I think... along with the aforementioned neighbourhood acceptance percentage.
All the best with however you choose to negotiate this conundrum!
- Lydianne.