4 great ways to meet your neighbors

Written by Posted On Wednesday, 12 June 2019 15:02

The process of moving is really overwhelming between all of the packing and unpacking. Adding new neighbors into the mix can leave you thinking, ‘how can I deal with so much stress?’. To really make a place feel like home, you want to get comfortable with your neighbors.

The quickest way to be at home in a new place is to go ahead, rip off the band-aid, and introduce yourself. You don’t have to be one of The Stepford Wives, and show up at every door with baked goods  Here are some quick tips to try if you’re a little apprehensive and shy when it comes to buddying up with your neighbors.

  1. Make a good impression

The last thing you want to do when moving into a new neighborhood or apartment complex is to start off on the wrong foot. Be really conscientious when you move in, and be sure to smile and say hello. You don’t want to block your neighbors in with your moving truck, or leave a bunch of move in garbage on the curb. Advise friends and family where to park so you don’t inconvenience your neighbors. You may want to try and sell your moving boxes through Craigslist or Facebook Market Place to keep curb clutter to a minimum.

Try and be extra friendly when you encounter your neighbors. Try and be really approachable,  no one wants to get to know the neighborhood Boo Radley. If you quickly shuffle from your car to your house without a smile to your neighbors, people may think you’re not interested in getting to know them. A warm smile can go a million miles when meeting new people.

  1. Join the club

Another great way to make good with your neighbors is to get involved right away. If there is a neighborhood watch committee, homeowner’s association or apartment mixers, it could be a great place to meet your neighbors. The quickest way to get to know the people who live next to you is to take an interest in the neighborhood or apartment complex. If you are both taking a common interest in achieving a group’s goals, you’ll find fast friends. If your apartment hosts its own mixers, try and go to a few just so people can get used to seeing your face. The more you’re around the more likely you will make friends.

  1. Host a house-warming party

A tried and true method of meeting your neighbors is having a house-warming party. It may sound scary to the introverts out there, but it’s an excellent way to get to know your neighbors. If you are nervous try inviting some old neighbors and friends and family too. This way all your new neighbors will get to see how great you are, while making you feel a little more at ease and comfortable. Slip some cute handwritten cards into your neighbor’s mailboxes letting them know what time the party is at, and be sure to include “free drinks and beverages”. If you’re really scared of inviting strangers over to your house, try a cookout barbeque, with plenty of hot dogs and hamburgers to go around.

  1. Don’t leave your kids and dog out

If you are a little shy, using your dog to meet new people is a great strategy to try. If your neighborhood or apartment has a dog park, take man’s best friend to get to know everyone. Dogs can be a huge icebreaker. They aren’t afraid to get up close and personal with other dogs, and this gives you an excuse to chat with your new neighbors.

Try being a part of the parent’s association at your kid’s school. This can put you in touch with other parents in the area, maybe even some from your neighborhood. Also encourage you kids to meet the other kids in the neighborhood. Kids make new friends so quickly, and it gives you a good reason to get to know their parents. Who knows? Maybe both you and your kids will make lifelong friends. It never hurts to put yourself out there and try.

Getting to know your neighbors doesn’t have to be a stressful event. Once you pick up momentum with these tricks, you will feel at home in your new place in no time 

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