The tree is lovely, but as you know too tall. I'd have it trimmed into a nice round shape that stops at the roof, and then decorate under it. Lamium(stinging nettles) grows beautifully in the shade.

I recommend consulting an arborist. This is a lovely tree with great natural shape.

Topping a tree is never a good thing. Is there a reason between you and neighbors that you want it down? Removing such a large tree will take away the shade that both you and neighbor are getting as well as screen from each other. Trimming it so it is not hanging over your home so much is a good idea. Mulching under it with low ground cover or mixture of plants like hostas, astilbes, pachysandra or vinca. Would be nice. If you remove tree a shorter type of tree may be nice but remember it will take time/years to get big.

If you've watched Jurassic Park, Jeff Goldblum mentions that Nature will always find a way. Chopping 1/2-2/3 off a tree and rounding it like suggested above isn't going to result in a velociraptor attack, but honestly that would be preferable to what that would do to the long term health of the tree. If a tree is genetically programmed to blow past 50 feet, your choices are keep the tree or remove it. You're not beating Mother Nature at her own game and turning a large shade tree into a smaller ornamental.

As for the OP, consult with a local ISA certified arborist but to my eye it looks like once you remove the branches conflicting with the houses and thin the canopy a bit you're going to have a great asset.

Only a professional arborist should touch a mature tree like that; not a 'tree trimmer.' The tree adds incalculable value to your home as well as ecosystem value. It is not too tall; it is a tall, healthy tree. Some light pruning might open the canopy up a bit, but otherwise it is perfect as it is.