you are correct. Many species of bamboo are very invasive. trying to contain it in a metal tub will help, but over many years will not be sustainable containment. For good reason, many towns and counties have ordinances prohibiting planting it. I don't think bamboo is a good choice for any situation in this country.
I like green giant arborvitae, but they do get wider than 3 feet. Emerald Green might fit better in that spot.

 

Even though you don't get along with your neighbor, do NOT, plant bamboo. It will eventually escape. It will eventually make your life and your neighbors life a nightmare.

 

I would avoid bamboo at all costs. Growth nightmare. Some species can grow over a foot per day. Not to mention how invasive it is. It can even escape planter/pots. If you plan to stay long-term, consider Leyland cypress or Hybrid poplar trees. They grow reasonably fast compared to other privacy-favored trees. If you have the money and are impatient, you can get large ones to get you started with decent privacy.

Now you have me curious what your neighbor is doing to bug ya!

 

Their dog bit my kid (for 3rd time) and I sued them. 😂 Kid is fine after trip to emergency room. Neighbors are defensive of dog. Got the sheriff to remove it. Fun.

 

Appreciate the persuasion. I ended up pulling the trigger on 4 emerald green arborviate. 5-6 ft tall for $59 each at HD. Not a bad deal. Its not going to be the huge screen I want but its something.

 

They will grow and you won't be able to be seen while grilling. A person in Nashville about a mile away from me planted bamboo 15 years ago. It grew into the neighbors yard 6 houses each way and it took them 5 years to get rid of.

The house had to be removed and everything burned multiple times.

Appreciate the persuasion. I ended up pulling the trigger on 4 emerald green arborviate. 5-6 ft tall for $59 each at HD. Not a bad deal. Its not going to be the huge screen I want but its something.

 

Glad you didn't do bamboo... Really bamboo should be illegal as it will go out of control for most homeowners

 

I know this is an old thread but there's a misconception being spread. The misconception is that all bamboo are invasive. This is not true. Running bamboo is invasive and nearly impossible to stop once established without barriers in place and regular maintenance. However, clumping bamboo like "graceful bamboo" do not spread more than a few feet. Nonetheless I think even graceful bamboo (which can grow up to 25 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide with a root ball 6-8 feet wide) would grow too large in that area over time, so the choice was correct.