It’s a fact: life is busy — for most of us, extremely so — and it’s hard to fit everything in. That includes getting to know our neighbors. But if we do carve out some time to get to know the people around you, lifelong friendships can be born, goodwill can be created, and problems can be solved before they become an issue. In today’s blog post, we have some tips for being a good neighbor at our apartment communities here in Western New York.
Smile and Compliment
Make eye contact with neighbors and say hi when you see them. Giving out compliments is also a great way for people to feel comfortable around you. You could compliment them on how cute their dog is or how much you like their shoes. Kindness establishes foundations for good relationships.
Help Your Neighbor
There’s a pretty good chance that you’ve seen someone moving in or out of your apartment community. Helping is a great way to get to know new neighbors. Help them move boxes inside and talk to them about where they moved from and why they moved here. It’s a great way for them to feel welcome as well an easy way for you to make friends.
Be Considerate
Being considerate can take on many forms. One of the most appreciated by neighbors is in regard to noise. A good rule of thumb is to keep music, TV, and loud conversations down after 9 pm and to avoid using loud machines or power tools early in the morning (even vacuums can be loud). If you are throwing a party, let your neighbor know in advance as well.
Communicate
Address problems in person rather than through notes or email. So much gets lost in non-personal communications, and people may take things more personally than if you talk to them in a quiet, courteous manner. Be sure to listen as well as talk when it comes to problems. Work toward a win-win resolution and be willing to compromise.
Getting to know your neighbors can be a rewarding experience. What are your favorite ways to get to know the other residents in our apartment communities? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading today’s blog post!