It takes less than a second for your new neighbors to form a first impression, so you want to make sure it’s a good one. After all, these are the people you’ll be sharing the community with and you want to ensure a positive experience for everyone. So, as the moving truck pulls into your new driveway, remember these tips to neighborhood etiquette.
Introduce Yourself Early On
If you don’t introduce yourself to your new neighbors now, you never will. It’s one of those things where you have to do as soon as possible, or it’ll slip your mind and be too late and awkward to do at another time. So, introduce yourself to the new neighbors within the first week of moving in. It doesn’t have to be a long, chat; just long enough to say hi ad get acquainted with one another.
Respect is the #1 Rule
If there’s any neighborhood etiquette tip you need to follow it’s this one – respect. It’s imperative to treat your neighbors the same way you expect to be treated. Otherwise, you risk ruining a potential friendship and causing havoc on the entire block. So, always think about the homeowners around you. If your housewarming party might get loud, invite your neighbors over to help decrease the negativity, or at the very least, inform them ahead of time that things might get a little boisterous.
And don’t forget to keep your lawn clean and cut, quiet the dogs when they’re barking in the backyard, and shovel the driveway. Stay on top of the normal, courteous things to do as a neighbor to ensure a positive first impression and quality neighborhood etiquette.
Lend a Helping Hand
People love others who are willing to lend a helping hand and this can be the perfect way to get in your new neighbor’s good books – especially if your housewarming was a little crazy. If you see your neighbor struggling to carry things in from their car, offer to help; if you finished sealing your driveway and have enough left over for another driveway, ask your neighbor if they’d like some. It’s these very simple gestures that can turn even the worst first impressions into the best ones moving forward.
Inform Them of Inconveniences
There are many instances where inconveniences will arise, and although it can be uncomfortable to address such situations, it’s important to inform your neighbors. So, if you have something such as a large party, loud outdoor renovations or even a large moving truck coming to deliver items, inform your neighbors. If it has the potential to affect the people living around you, they deserve to know so they can make alternative arrangements as needed.
As a bonus, most neighbors will appreciate you taking the time to let them know of any inconveniences ahead of time. It shows them that you’re considerate of them and although they may not be in favor of the disturbance, they will likely let it slide just because you informed them.
Greet Your Neighbors on a Regular Basis
No matter how bad of a day you have had, if your neighbors are outside, say hi. This neighborhood etiquette tip may seem obvious but everyone has days where they simply can’t be bothered. However, walking past your neighbors without greeting them will give off an abundance of negativity and can impact the friendly community vibe. So, whether you’re coming home from work or taking a walk around the block, flash a smile and a friendly hello to any neighbors you see.
It’s the simple things that will often make a huge impression on your neighbors. So, don’t skip over these neighborhood etiquette tips that only take a couple of minutes to do. It will enhance your quality living, as well as theirs, and you may even get a new friendship out of it.
