What’s the best way to get to know your neighbor? We’ve got a list of a few tips for you to try.
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Getting to know new neighbors isn’t always easy, and a lot of the advice out there doesn’t exactly make it any more simple. Thankfully, there are a few tips we at the Anderson Group like to recommend for new homeowners to try. We know that everyone likes to socialize differently, so we’ve split our list of tips into two categories: practical and non-traditional.
Without further adieu, here’s a quick countdown of our favorite practical tips:
1. Ask for a simple favor. Approaching your new neighbor to ask if you could borrow some hedge clippers, for example, is a great excuse to spark up a conversation.
2. Say hi when you’re out walking your dog. If you happen to catch your neighbor out in their front yard while you’re walking your dog, or (if you don’t have a pet) when you’re just out for a jog, don’t be shy. If you wear a smile, the world will smile back.
3. Get digital. These days, there are a lot of online social platforms available for people to get to know the people in your neighborhood. Finding and joining one where you live is a great way to connect.
4. Throw a block party. Whether you stick to the traditional definition of this kind of event and invite everyone on the block or you just ask a few people on your street to come over and mingle, getting to know everyone in a group setting can take some of the pressure off as you all make your introductions.
“IF YOU WEAR A SMILE, THE WORLD WILL SMILE BACK.”
Now, let’s move on to the remaining seven tips on our list. Each of these, while not traditional (and, in some cases, not advisable) are sure to catch your neighbor’s attention:
5. Throw a rager. If a block party is a little tame for your tastes, why not go a little more extreme? Make sure you’re loud enough for the cops to join the fun.
6. Set off fireworks. What better way to catch the attention of your neighbors than with a literal fireworks display?
7. Start a fire in your back yard. Stacking up logs and pine needles and then setting the whole thing ablaze will surely get your new neighbors to take notice of you.
8. Mow your lawn late at night or early in the morning. Your early-bird neighbors will appreciate the wake-up call, and your night-owl neighbors will be happy to hear that you’re someone they can depend on to keep the neighborhood looking sharp.
9. Let your dog “do its business” on your neighbor’s lawn. Like taking your dog for a walk, letting your dog out to “do its thing” in your neighbor’s yard is a surefire way to start a conversation.
10. Park in their parking spot. There’s no better conversation-starter than one that comes as a necessity. If your neighbor parks in the same place every day, why not mix things up and claim their spot for your own? When they ask you to move it, you’ll have the perfect opening to introduce yourself.
11. Hook up your hose to their hydrant when you water your lawn. After all, if neighbors can borrow a cup of sugar, why not basic utilities, too?
As you probably guessed, these last seven tips were just a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor. While these “non-traditional” tips will definitely make an impression, they probably won’t create the kind of impression you want to leave. We know we don’t have to tell you twice, but please stick to the first four tips on today’s list—that is, unless your idea of a party is an angry mob on your lawn.
If you have any other questions or would like to learn more about our (real) advice on how to get to know your neighbors, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
