We all have neighbors, but not everyone knows their neighbors. I know my neighbors quite well and we get along nicely; however, it occurred to me that many people do not have a similar relationship. Oftentimes, people have those neighbors that they drive by and wave to but never truly talk to or interact with. Thus, I decided to write this blog to offer ways to get to know your neighbors whether they be new neighbors or old neighbors you just never got around to knowing.
Nextdoor.com
Nextdoor is a private social networking service for neighborhoods and can be a great way to communicate online with your neighbors. The Rossmoor neighborhood is showcased at https://nextdoor.com/neighborhood/rossmoor–los-alamitos–ca/ and you can put in your address and it will direct you to an online community just for your surrounding neighborhood.
People are using Nextdoor to:
- Quickly get the word out about a break-in
- Organize a Neighborhood Watch Group
- Track down a trustworthy babysitter
- Find out who does the best swimming pool construction in town
- Ask for help keeping an eye out for a lost dog
- Find a new home for an outgrown bike
- Finally call that nice man down the street by his first name
Nextdoor’s mission is to provide a trusted platform where neighbors work together to build stronger, safer, happier communities, all over the world. Nextdoor is a great way to stay up-to-date with your neighborhood without the hassle of speaking to every neighbor in your area.
Knock, Knock
There’s no better way to introduce yourself to neighbors than the old-fashioned tradition of knocking on someone’s door. How often do neighbors go and knock on each other’s doors these days? Not enough. In the modern age, we have grown accustomed to talking via text and social media at the expense of friendly, person-to-person interactions. I may have advocated for Nextdoor.com due to its convenience, but I have always found the best way to meet your neighbors is to simply go next door and knock. Bringing a gift of some sort or some form of baked goods is a great excuse for knocking on your neighbor’s door and can be a great start to a friendly relationship.
Invite Them Over For Dinner
If you have spoken to your neighbors a few times but don’t know them as well as you wish, then a dinner is the great way to grow more acquainted. Dinner can be at your house, someone else’s house, or a restaurant, but in the end, there is no better way to get to know someone than over dinner. Many of us know our neighbors but not very well – a dinner can be a perfect way to grow this relationship and learn more about your neighbors next-door.
Host a Party
Every few years, my neighbors and I plan a block party. Block parties are amazing because you are hanging out with the people who live in your area, and they are a perfect way to socialize with those people around you. Block parties can be rather hard to organize though, so a simple party at your house with food, drinks, and swimming is a great option, as well. Invite over a combination of good friends and new neighbors which will allow you to meet your new neighbors without putting the pressure on you to constantly be interacting with only them. Whether it be a block party or a smaller house party, having a party with your neighbors is a great way to meet them and form stronger relationships.
Being friends with your neighbor can be incredibly beneficial whether you are running low on sugar, need someone to watch your house while you are on vacation, or want to avoid a noise disturbance at your next party. Getting to know your neighbors doesn’t have to be anything extravagant and can be as easy as checking a social media site or knocking on their door; thus, we think everyone should be, or at least make an effort to be, friends with their neighbors.