The 7 Habits of a Good Neighbor You Can Start Today
Should you be a good neighbor and reach out to the friendly family that just moved in next door to you?
A 2018 Pew Research Center study revealed that 57% of Americans engaged with a few neighbors, while 26% said they knew most of them.
Around two-thirds of the study’s respondents said they were grateful to have good neighbors to have social gatherings with and borrow ingredients from.
Most people would love to live in a picket-fenced Pleasantville-like haven, but this can be tricky if you live in the city.
It is much easier for those in rural and suburban areas to mingle with a thoughtful neighbor. If you want to live a social lifestyle by meeting new people, here is all the information about being a good neighbor.
1. Introduce Yourself
You cannot socialize with someone without introducing yourself first. There is no hard-set rule about who should start the introductions.
If the person next door does not introduce themselves within the first week of moving, you should attempt to visit them the following weekend.
It can also be a nice touch to hand-deliver some homemade brownies or cookies. Although this can seem daunting, remember that you are using this opportunity to let them know who you are.
This will help you both feel safer living next to each other. The goal is to learn each other’s names and exchange contact information.
If you have been in the community longer, they will appreciate some tips about the best pizza delivery service or information about other people in the area.
2. Join Groups
If you live in a tight-knit community, your neighborhood may have a Facebook group or page to post announcements. You can show that you are a helpful neighbor by spending time in the group to answer people’s questions.
Someone may be selling items to declutter or ask for maintenance service recommendations. Social media can be an excellent tool to engage with your neighbors, but you must avoid posting rude or snarky comments.
To avoid causing a rift among your neighbors, always be polite and respectful when posting online.
Otherwise, you may have all your neighbors turn against you or block you from accessing these pages if you are always inconsiderate and obnoxious.
3. Maintain Home Exterior
One of the critical aspects of being a good neighbor is ensuring that your property always looks attractive and clean from the outside. This is what your neighbors will see as they walk past your home.
Unless you want people to negatively judge your habits and lifestyle, always keep up with your weekend landscaping chores.
Remember to mow the grass on time, grow some lovely flowers, and help your neighbors with gardening tips if they end up falling in love with your petunias.
4. Join Neighborhood Watch
Joining the neighborhood watch is a great way to let others know that you are a thoughtful neighbor who wants to help keep everyone safe.
Then your neighbors will feel safer going on holiday knowing that you are being vigilant and keeping an eye on the community while they are gone.
Some of the tasks you may be required to do are collecting packages from people’s front porch to avoid them being left out in the rain, calling the fire department or police for an emergency, and possibly watering someone’s garden as a nice gesture.
5. Always Keep Noise Down
People next door to you will not appreciate loud music or noises that disrupt their sleep. You should always be considerate of those who enjoy their peace and quiet, especially if they have small children that need to be tucked in bed early.
However, keeping the noise down does not mean that you cannot have some fun on your days off. If you want to throw a party, it would be nice to let your neighbors know the date and time.
You can inform them that you will cut the music after a specific time to let them turn in for the night.
Another option is to invite your neighbors over to keep the party running late, but this may not always be the best idea in a family-oriented neighborhood.
6. Respect Parking Rules
Good neighbors do not quarrel or act territorial over parking spots. You should always care about other people by parking at your allocated site.
If you have friends or family members visiting for the holidays and want to take over someone else’s parking if they do not use it, you must ask their permission first.
Nothing is worse than driving home with a trunk full of shopping bags only to find out that you have nowhere to park. Therefore, you should always be a good neighbor by sticking to your assigned space.
7. Communicate Effectively
A lot of arguments with neighbors can be solved by effective communications. If you want to maintain a positive relationship and show people what a good neighbor you are, you should always practice in-person communication.
It does not hurt to ask people how they feel if you chop off a tree, paint your exterior, or host a party before organizing all those activities.
If you communicate your plans with others, you can spare yourself from negative situations and feelings down the line. If you are looking for the friendliest and safest neighborhoods to secure your children’s future, check out Liberty Properties.
Be a Good Neighbor Today
Now that you know what it takes to be a good neighbor, you can start putting a smile on everybody’s face. Neighborhood relationships are an essential part of our social fabric.
Always respect each other’s boundaries but also make a habit of having a small chit-chat now and then to ask about someone’s day.
Remember that small gestures like waving and smiling can go a long way to help foster positive relationships to make a significant difference later.
If you enjoyed reading this guide on being a good neighbor, check out some of our other posts for more information.
