As a Realtor® I am always on the lookout for new ways to meet neighbors and make community connections. The age of social media is on and it seems every week there is a new social network on the rise. Whatever your passions, your interests, there is an app for everyone. But what if you want to reach out to neighbors you have not met yet, or you just moved and are wondering if there is a neighborhood watch you could join? There is now a great social network available just for neighborhoods. Nextdoor.com was designed to put neighbor in touch with neighbor, to share information about block parties, or to find a pet sitter. You can even learn about neighborhood concerns, such as vandalism or cars speeding where kids play.
Located in San Francisco, Nextdoor.com was founded on the principal of building safer, thriving neighborhoods through social networking. In the 6 years they have been around, over 96,000 neighborhoods across the country have joined up. Each neighborhood has its own discussion forum. When signing up you type in your address to find your neighborhood. Everyone must verify their address and sign their legal name to join. Each neighborhood forum is private, that means nothing posted in a discussion will show up on a Google search. You also control exactly how much and what information you share. Part of the Nextdoor mission is to inspire people to be better neighbors, and to hold themselves accountable for how they treat others. When everyone has a common respect for each other, our neighborhoods make better homes.
Want to know who has a great yard and garden service? Looking for a babysitter you can trust? Saw a new restaurant open and want to know what others think? You can ask these questions and more to get first hand insight on what your neighbors know. This is a great networking tool that anyone can put to use. If you love the idea of a block party and there hasn’t been one on your street, you can use Nextdoor to set one up with your neighbors. Do you feel there needs to be a neighborhood watch program and can’t find one? You can start one by connecting with your neighbors through Nextdoor. Supporting local products and services is a big plus for any neighborhood, with Nextdoor, you can find a local artist who specializes in ceramics, or find a massage therapist nearby. If you have space for a community garden, post up the idea on Nextdoor, and you could be on your way helping to provide space for home grown fruits and vegetables for your neighbors.
The possibilities are wide and varied with Nextdoor; it is all about connecting with your neighbors in a safe and positive environment so everyone can feel at home where they live. When you are ready to sell or buy a home, we at Haylen Group are here to help you with all of your real estate needs! If you are unsure what your options are, call Helen Chong at (408) 800-LIST or email at Helen@HaylenGroup.com. You can also visit us at our website for available listings and additional information.
