Connect With Your Neighbours

Everyone needs a sense of community in order to feel truly at home in their neighbourhood. Your neighbours are your closest community members so it makes sense to get to know your neighbour well. Aside from the social aspect, knowing your neighbour can be very helpful in many ways, especially to newcomers. It’s nice to be able to call on someone nearby if you need help. Getting to know people who live around you and providing support and companionship to each other makes your community experience richer and exciting. Getting to know your neighbours is a practical move that offers a feeling of comfort and assurance that, should anything go wrong, there will always be someone nearby. 

Some of the things that a newcomer can do to get to know your neighbours better are: 

1. Make it a priority to know your neighbours 

2. Introduce yourself to your neighbours

3. Stop by and let your neighbour know that you would like to create a community safety net which means that they can call you any time there is a neighbourhood emergency, such as a power outage. They will reciprocate the offer. This way, you can all feel comfortable. 

4. Your neighbour will appreciate you taking the time to introduce yourself, especially if you present them with a little gift or a treat. 

5. Stop by and let your neighbours know from time to time that you care.

6. Start a kids’ or adults’ activity in or around your house and invite neighbouring families to join in for fun. Having weekly barbeque or potluck where everyone brings a sample dish from their culture and have kids play together can be a great way for neighbours of all ages to become friends. 

7. Start a community garden in a common space near your house. 

8. Be friendly and approachable.

9. Smile and say hello when you see them outdoors!

10. Try to shift from typical backyard activities to the front yard: vegetable and flower gardens, badminton setup, or even a couple of lawn chairs in front of the house.

Your relationships with your neighbours may be some of the most important ones you have in day-to-day life. They’re the most practical people to call on if you need help around the house, need to borrow something on the fly or need someone to watch your cat or water the plants while you’re away. It’s a give-and-take relationship that benefits both parties. Starting with a friendly wave may just pave a path to a great new friendship.