Could be the neighbor behind you thought the hedge plants were getting too "leggy," and cut them back to force them to become "bushy" again. Doesn't do much for you in the short run. I'd approach the neighbors behind and to the right and tell them you would like to install a fence, but can't quite afford it. Perhaps they will offer to contribute to the cost, or at least provide the labor.

Cedar is the preferred fencing material in my area, and I know nothing of vinyl. You can get some feel for the pros and cons by perusing the reviews on the Home Depot and Lowe's sites.

I see you are in NJ, so I would suggest planting shrubs. They will grow fairly quickly and help camouflage the chain link while also providing privacy. Evergreens do grow slowly, but you could intersperse with deciduous such as forsythia, viburnum, azaleas, etc. Camellias are evergreen with a moderate growth rate, and not too expensive. If you just want screening quickly, go for forsythia and then in a few years, list your house when the new hedge is in bloom! :)

Thanks for your advice. Any suggestions for shrubs that flower in June or in the summer? The lawn is Zoysia and it does not green up until after the forsythia has bloomed which is usually late April.

"For some reason they left bush size stumps..." I would also speculate that this is a rejuvenation effort. (If they were getting rid of the hedge, there'd be no reason to let large stumps remain.) If that's their plan, I'd just wait it out. The "stumps" will grow a new top very quickly.

iteas bloom in early summer, New Jersey Tea, Annabelle Hydrangea...lotsa nice stuff.

great advice cyn. Not sure about plants up there but forsynthia would probably be my first choice as well, depending on location and if it were to get enough sun a climing vine before planting a screen could give you a double screen if evergreen.

If the neighboors are really tacky you could go the postal route of english Ivy :)

I resided in NYC for several years, so I understand the culture of keeping one's distance from one's neighbors. Under the circumstances, though, I wonder if it might not be appropriate for you to attempt to initiate some dialogue with the neighbor behind you, to see what he may have in mind. I don't think it would be too "pushy" to volunteer a "Nice, day, isn't it?" at an opportune moment, and take it from there.