When the night sky turns to day: what if your neighborhood was lit up 24/7?

WHEN THE NIGHT SKY TURNS TO DAY: WHAT IF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WAS LIT UP 24/7?

You nailed it—there’s a point where “safe” just turns into “blinding.” I’ve worked with clients who thought more light meant better design, but honestly, it just ends up feeling harsh and unnatural. There are smarter ways to light outdoor spaces without turning your street into a stadium. Plus, who wants to lose the stars? A little subtlety goes a long way... and your sleep (and wallet) will thank you.

WHEN THE NIGHT SKY TURNS TO DAY: WHAT IF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WAS LIT UP 24/7?

I totally get what you mean about the “stadium” effect. It’s wild how often people equate brightness with safety, but there’s a tipping point where it just becomes uncomfortable. I’ve seen neighborhoods swap out old fixtures for full-cutoff LEDs and suddenly, you can actually see the stars again—plus, way less glare in your windows at night. Has anyone tried motion sensors or dimmers for outdoor lighting? Curious if that’s made a difference in your area.

WHEN THE NIGHT SKY TURNS TO DAY: WHAT IF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WAS LIT UP 24/7?

Funny thing, I’ve been part of a few projects where we pushed for “more light equals safer streets,” but honestly, it doesn’t always play out that way. People complain about sleep disruption, and you end up with these weird bright spots and then pitch-black corners where the light doesn’t reach. Motion sensors are a game changer—less wasted energy, and you don’t feel like you’re living under a spotlight 24/7. I’m curious though—has anyone noticed property values shifting when neighborhoods dial back on the lighting? Or is it just about aesthetics and comfort?

WHEN THE NIGHT SKY TURNS TO DAY: WHAT IF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WAS LIT UP 24/7?

I’ve lived in the same house for over twenty years, and I’ve seen our street go from pitch black at night to almost stadium-bright after they put in those new LED streetlights. Honestly, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. The first few months, people were happy about the extra light, but then the complaints started rolling in—bedrooms too bright, gardens lit up like a parking lot, even pets acting weird at night. I don’t think anyone really thought about how much it would mess with sleep or just the general vibe.

As for property values, I haven’t noticed any big swings tied directly to lighting changes. Around here, it’s more about school districts and how close you are to the main road. That said, I do know a couple of folks who put up blackout curtains and even planted extra trees just to block out the glare. Maybe that says something about comfort being a bigger deal than resale value.

One thing I’ve wondered: does all this extra light actually make people feel safer? Or is it just a placebo effect? I’ve seen just as many car break-ins since the lights went up as before. Sometimes I think people just want to *feel* like something’s being done, even if it doesn’t change much.

Curious if anyone else has noticed their neighborhood getting quieter or busier at night after lighting changes. Around here, it seems like folks are still out walking dogs or jogging late, but maybe that’s just habit at this point...

WHEN THE NIGHT SKY TURNS TO DAY: WHAT IF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WAS LIT UP 24/7?

You’re not alone in feeling like the “stadium-bright” LEDs are a mixed bag. I get the intention—safety, visibility, maybe even energy savings—but the execution often misses the mark. I’ve read studies showing that excessive nighttime lighting can actually disrupt circadian rhythms, not just for people but for wildlife too. That might explain the pets acting weird.

I really relate to this:

“I do know a couple of folks who put up blackout curtains and even planted extra trees just to block out the glare. Maybe that says something about comfort being a bigger deal than resale value.”

As for crime, I’ve seen similar stats—more light doesn’t always mean less crime. Sometimes it just makes it easier for someone to see what’s worth stealing. It’s a complicated issue, and I wish city planners would consult residents more before flipping the switch on these changes.