Tips for being the new neighbor:
Host a housewarming party
Once you’ve settled into your new space—unpacking and decorating complete, consider hosting a housewarming party. This is the perfect opportunity to invite all your new neighbors over to help celebrate your new home!
With good food, drinks, and music, you can have a night filled with entertainment and fun as you begin to create memories in the new place that you call home. If you feel you might need more time to decorate and organize the inside of your home, you can consider throwing the party in your backyard or front porch.
Get involved in your community
Community clubhouses can offer a variety of both indoor and outdoor activities during the week and weekends. Whether you participate in a workout class or attend a social event, it’s a great way to connect with people who live in your neighborhood beyond just your next-door neighbors. If you’re interested in learning more about activities or social events in your neighborhood, you might consider finding out if there is a community website or Facebook page available.
Take time to learn more about your neighborhood Homeowners Association (HOA), if it applies to your neighborhood. You can consider volunteering or joining your HOA to learn more about the rules and regulations in your neighborhood. You are bound to meet other neighbors involved and become more aware about the community you live in.
Introduce your kids to the new neighbors
If you have kids, don’t forget to take them along as you introduce yourself to the neighbors. If you find that there are other kids who are the same age as your own, you can arrange a play date—a simple way for you and your kids to make friends with the new neighbors.
Spend more time outside:
Whether it’s washing your car in the driveway, gardening or simply enjoying a book on the front porch, finding a hobby to do outside of your home is a great way to more easily run into your neighbors. Spending time outside of your home can give the impression that you are enjoying the neighborhood you are living in and that you are open to meeting the people who reside there!
Tips for getting a new neighbor:
Welcome new neighbors:
This may sound like an obvious tip, but you’d be surprised how much a simple welcome can be appreciated by your new neighbors. Making the first gesture of welcoming your new neighbors can help take a lot of pressure off them and let them focus on unpacking and moving into their new home.
An introduction won’t take much effort as they will most likely be busy the first few weeks of moving, but it can make for a good first impression. You can exchange names, and arrange a time to meet in the near future for dinner, drinks, etc.
New neighbor gift/care package:
Making a gift or care package is a thoughtful way to introduce yourself and give a warm welcoming to your new neighbor. You can put your own personal touch on the gift and offer them something that will be useful to them in their new home.
Whether it’s store-bought or handmade, it’s a gesture that can mean a lot to your new neighbors! And, they just might pass along the idea as they get a new neighbor down the road.
You can check Pinterest for a variety of new neighbor care package ideas.
Offer help/advice:
Be courteous to your new neighbors (as we hope they are to you too), and try to offer your help or advice as much as you can as they begin the transition into their new home and neighborhood.
Simple tips on what stores and restaurants are nearby, as well as keeping them up to date of any neighborhood news can be helpful to new homeowners. Try to think back to the moment when you first moved into your home and what advice you might have found useful during that time.
What tips have you tried to meet your new neighbors? Share in the comments below!
