The days when you could walk to your neighbors to borrow a pint of milk or ask them to look after your pet when you’re away are mostly gone. More and more young homeowners don’t interact with their neighbors. Some don’t even know their neighbors’ names! Indeed, young adults have grown up in a digital environment, which can affect their sense of social belonging. As a result, they are less likely to engage in their community, especially if they are new to the area. It would be unfair, nevertheless, to assume that people who don’t engage with their neighbors are unfriendly.
On the contrary, it can be stressful to move into a new place where you don’t know anyone. For anybody who is used to networking via LinkedIn and Instagram, face-to-face interactions can be a cause of stress. Indeed, online interactions let you access a person’s profile as a way of getting to know a user before approaching them. With neighbors, you don’t have that option. However, you can make things easier by creating a positive impression that encourages people to want to know you. |
A Friendly Home In Your Neighborhood
Stage The OutdoorsThe first thing your neighbors get to see about you is how you maintain your property, especially your front yard and the external wall. This is the first impression, and you want to make it work to ease your integration in the local community. If you’re a talented gardener, you can create an appealing yard. However, if you’re worried about your gray thumbs, you can hire professional residential landscaping services to give your property the welcoming feel it needs. From a cozy lawn to an elegant decking, you can stage a friendly outdoor.
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Stage The Indoors, Too!You might not yet be ready to invite your neighbors over, but they can still catch a glimpse of your interior through the windows. Your top priority is to put blinds in the rooms where you want to maintain your privacy, such as the bedroom, without losing any of the light. For the rooms that you are happy to share glimpses of, make sure to keep them tidy, clean and cozy. Also, adding a pair of curtains to your entertaining rooms, such as the dining room and the lounge, ensures that you don’t keep your neighbors awake with the light at night. It doesn’t take much to show you’re considerate.
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Respecting The Unspoken RulesLast, but not least, every community has a set of rules to live together in peace. While your neighbors might be patient, they’re unlikely to take it kindly if you decide to build your furniture at night, for instance. Hammering down your wardrobe in the middle of the night is going to be loud! If you have a pet, you need to train them to behave appropriately in the surroundings, such as not barking when you’re not at home, or not soiling gardens in the area. Last, but not least, if you’re parking on the street, be careful not to block your neighbor’s parking space or driveway. In short, make sure that your presence doesn’t disturb the peace of the neighborhood.
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If you find it difficult to introduce yourself to your neighbors, you can let them come to you by showing off your friendly side. Making your home life look and feel welcoming from the street will help you to be accepted by the community.
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