Introducing Yourself to Your New Neighbors
Numerous surveys have found that many Americans don’t know any of their neighbors. According to Pew Research Center, one found that 57 percent knew none or only some of their neighbors by name and a little less than half said they trust some of none of their neighbors. But there are many reasons it’s important to know who your neighbors are – not only does it provide more of a sense of “community” but you can help watch out for each other. With multiple sets of eyes and ears, that increases everyone’s safety with the potential to thwart criminal activity.
After you move into the home you purchased among Halton real estate or anywhere else, one of the first things you should do after unpacking and settling in is to introduce yourself to your new neighbors. You might want to do a little observation first to see if you can find someone with a potential common interest. Maybe there’s a neighbor who’s always in the garden and you enjoy gardening, a yard where kids like to play and you’re a mother with children the same age, or obvious fans of your favorite football team with lots of paraphernalia displayed. Just don’t be stalkerish as it might seem a little weird if you seem to know too much.
Ready to approach? Here are some ideas to make you more comfortable while providing a good first impression.
Ask for Advice
It only makes sense that someone new to a neighborhood would have a lot of questions about the area that can make for great conversation starters. Instead of searching on Google, knock on one of your neighbor’s doors. If you’ve been observing you’ll probably have a better idea of who to ask. Introduce yourself and ask for tips about the best coffee shop or any other local spot you might be interested in, or maybe find out more about the latest hot topic involving the community after having reviewed the town forum, if there is one. There are many on Facebook, NextDoor, and other social networking sites these days.
Bring a Gift
Introducing yourself is always easier when you come bearing gifts. A potted plant, bouquet of flowers, home-baked treats, anything like that is often welcomed and a great way to start a conversation about why you moved to the neighborhood, maybe where your neighbor moved in from, or what it was like to live there a decade before. Just be sure to let your neighbor make the first move as far as extending the visit. If they have the time and interest, they’ll invite you in. Keep the chat short unless it’s naturally progressing, leaving it in their hands.
Host a Gathering
A housewarming party is great for inviting friends, co-workers, family and the like, but to get to know your neighbors, consider inviting them to a casual gathering like a potluck. Having recently moved in, they’ll understand that you have a lot on your plate and won’t expect anything elaborate. If you have an inviting outdoor space, you could host a BBQ, providing the meat to grill while your neighbors bring side dishes and drinks.
