Not getting along with your neighbors can frustrate you from day to day. Meanwhile, taking the time to establish good relationships with neighbors will bring many benefits. The community will be friendlier, the environment will be safer, and the area of the house will be better and more comfortable to live in.
Step
Step 1. Introduce yourself
Introduce yourself, regardless of whether you're the new mover or someone new has moved to your block. Greet your new neighbor, bring a welcome gift (homemade cakes are always welcome) and tell or ask about your neighborhood, for example, “Where is the nearest cafe?” or “Garbage trucks come on Tuesdays and Fridays, usually at 10 am, but sometimes they come at 8.”
Step 2. Consider your neighbor's lifestyle
Find out what your neighbors are like, what their jobs are, what their schedules are, and so on. Sometimes, you can solve a problem before it starts. For example, if they work at night, a quiet morning is certainly important to them. If they have small children, a quiet night will be very important to them. Similarly, provide information that will help them consider your lifestyle. If you garden often or if your teenage son plays the drums a lot, tell your neighbors first and tell them not to hesitate to tell them if your house is too noisy.
Step 3. Understand the situation of sharing the same wall
If you live in a row house, apartment, shared house, or any structure that shares the same walls as your neighbors, place loud household appliances away from the dividing wall, such as washing machines, dryers, TVs and loudspeakers. If you live above your neighbors, consider installing linoleum or carpet under the equipment to drown out sound, and remember that people downstairs can hear your footsteps (so minimize the frequency of wearing high heels indoors, for example).
Step 4. Take control of your pet dog
Tie up your dog if he has a habit of running into the neighbor's grass, especially if the neighbor has a cat or dog of his own, and make sure you clean up any mess he causes. If your dog is very noisy, it can also annoy neighbors. Put yourself in the shoes of the neighbor and imagine how irritated it would be if you or your baby woke up from a much-needed nap due to barking in the house next door. If you're having trouble controlling your dog's barking or whining, consider seeking advice from your veterinarian or local animal organization.
Step 5. Practice ethical parking
When parking your car, make sure you don't block anyone's access or make them have to get the car out of very tight spaces. Do not overheat the engine of a car or motorcycle early in the morning or in the middle of the night. Park in front of your house, not the neighbor's house. Don't slam doors or direct headlights at a neighbor's window late at night.
Step 6. Warn the neighbors if you are having a party
If you're planning a party, make sure you warn the neighbors and tell them when the party starts and at what time. Give them your phone number so they can call to ask you to lower your voice. If you know them well, why aren't you invited? And for the party itself, stick to the agreement made with the neighbors and ask guests to leave slowly.
Step 7. Tidy up the yard and garden
Mow the grass regularly because the grass in the yard is not only unsightly, it can spread to neighboring yards. Weed regularly and trim flowers, trees and shrubs neatly. Return your gardening tools to their original place when you're done. Ask if your neighbors are sensitive to chemicals and have small children or pets before you apply pesticides.
Step 8. Control the fireworks, barbecue, or burning pit behind the house
Position it so that smoke and odors do not blow onto neighboring properties. Just like parties, news let them know in advance if you want to burn something because they may be planning to dry the clothes on the same day.
Step 9. Take out the trash on the right day
Take out the trash only on the day the garbage truck arrives. If you remember the day incorrectly, bring the trash back into the house and try to store it properly. Garbage can attract fleas, insects, and other pests, and is also unsightly. Keep the trash area clean and uncluttered. Wash the trash can if it starts to smell.
Step 10. Communicate with neighbors
Spend some time chatting with neighbors and informing them or getting them involved in something. Remember the golden rule of getting along, and if any of your plans might affect them, minimize the impact and talk about it first. Open up communication channels by reminding them that if you do something that bothers them, they shouldn't hesitate to talk about it.
Step 11. Pay attention to your surroundings as well as your neighbors
Even if you're not on patrol duty, watch out for strangers acting suspiciously around neighboring properties. When in doubt, call the police so they can stop a criminal act as soon as possible.
Step 12. Invite neighbors to contribute to a secondhand sale, invite them over for tea, or offer to look after their kids/pets while they're away
They will do the same for you.
Step 13. Notify neighbors by phone or message if you hear news about the neighborhood (events, crimes, special garbage collection, parking restrictions on special events, etc
)
Step 14. Sacrifice a little time for the neighbors
For example, if you clean the yard of garbage that is scattered on the street and the garbage reaches the neighbor's front street, take the initiative to clean it too. It may only take you 60 seconds, but your neighbors will be very grateful.
Step 15. Treat your neighbors well
Greet the new person who moves next to you. They will be very grateful to be given a jug of orange juice.
Tips
- Send bouquets of flowers, invite them to dinner, offer to babysit their children or pets, and so on. They will definitely be very happy.
- Good neighbors will take care of each other. They ask each other for advice and offer help, especially on issues that impact the home environment. They respect each other's boundaries, but are quick to help in crisis situations. They look for opportunities to cooperate and socialize. A good neighborly life will create a good environment, and it is worth trying.
- Check local regulations on starting fires in the yard and crowd levels. There are laws governing this kind of problem.
- If you're having trouble with an antisocial neighbor and can't resolve the issue, see if you can get the RT or RW involved to sort it out.
