What Qualities Make a Good Neighbor?
Every neighborhood has a personality–some are full of socializing and parties, while some are quiet and secluded. The same thing goes for neighbors too! Everyone knows those neighbors who want to know everyone else’s business. Or the family with all the crazy kids. And don’t forget about the neighbors who are so private you can hardly believe they’re there at all. Neighbors come in all different shapes and sizes and that’s what makes them so great!
But what makes a good neighbor? They say the type of company you keep can have a huge impact on your way of life. This holds true for the type of neighbors you have too. A happy neighbor equals a happy life (or something like that). In order to have good neighbors, you first have to become a good neighbor yourself. Follow these five rules to become a better neighbor today.
1. Giving
You know that saying–’ do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ That’s what we mean here and it’s what being a good neighbor is all about!
If a neighbor does something nice for you, pay it forward by doing something nice for another neighbor. Once you’ve got all that good karma flying around, there’s no limit to just how happy your neighborhood can become!
Better yet, a good neighbor does a good deed without even being prompted to do so. If you see that your neighbor is having a hard time mowing their lawn, offer to lend a hand. Or if your neighbor has kids, offer to babysit should they need a babysitter. See–it’s so simple!
2. Friendly
You don’t always have to go above and beyond to be a decent neighbor. Maybe you don’t care to become best friends with your neighbors or maybe you just enjoy your privacy. Either way, smiling at your neighbors when they drive by or saying hello when you see them can go a long way.
Coming off as unfriendly or unapproachable can make for an awkward and uncomfortable living environment. Earn even more good-neighbor points by remaining friendly even to those not-so-nice neighbors. You never really know what could be going on behind the scenes. So instead of mean-mugging that grumpy neighbor of yours the next time you see them, smile or wave instead! This bit of kindness can go a long way.
3. Tidy
No one likes a messy neighbor. Even if you don’t mind when your yard or home is messy, be courteous to neighbors who do. After all, your neighborhood is their neighborhood too! Not sure what it means to be tidy? Here are some handy tips:
-
Mow your lawn regularly.
-
Don’t let your grass get out of control!
-
Remove any extra clutter (bikes, watering buckets, toys, etc.) from your yard at the end of the day. If you have kids, this is a big one.
-
Be conscious of too much outdoor decor.
-
Make sure trees, shrubs, weeds, etc. don’t creep into your neighbor’s yard. In other words, keep up with the maintenance of your yard.
4. Quiet (ish)
Ok–maybe you’re not throwing loud and outrageous parties every night. But either way, a good neighbor should be noise-conscious.
Some examples: Don’t mow your lawn at seven in the morning, don’t honk your horn every time you pull into the driveway, try to keep your music down past 9 o’clock in the evening, etc–you get the gist. But really, this is a nice and easy way to be a good neighbor.
If you’re planning on hosting a party and think it might get a little loud, let your neighbors know ahead of time. Or better yet, invite your neighbors to join you!
5. Welcoming
Many neighborhoods have some type of group communication in place. If yours doesn’t, start an email list or create a Facebook page for your neighborhood! It’s quick and easy and a great way to reach out to your neighbors to encourage neighborly involvement.
On the backside of this, don’t be too overbearing. While a good neighbor knows how to bring people together, forcing this neighborly communication could end up hurting more than helping. Some people value their privacy, so try to recognize that in a neighbor before you go invading their personal space.
As you can see, being a good neighbor is simple! When it comes down to it, being a good neighbor is all about being courteous. Taking the time to just say hello when you see your neighbor outside could go a long way.
In addition to having (and being) a good neighbor, it’s important that you love the neighborhood you’re living in. If you’re searching for a new home, download our Homebuyer 101 Guide to learn the top questions your real estate agent will ask–and how those questions can guide you to finding your perfect home!
