You may have to live next to them for quite a while, so why not build a friendship with your neighbors? Here are 10 simple things you can do to be a good neighbor:
1. Care for their property. This makes the neighborhood a pleasant place to come home to, while helping maintain or improve property values. The house next door does not have to be a palace, but it sure is nice when it’s reasonably neat and clean. Good neighbors don’t allow their yard to grow into an eyesore or safety hazard, with junk lying about or garbage that attracts rats.
2. Are Friendly. They smile and wave when they see you. They welcome new neighbors, maybe with a plate of cookies or a recommendation on a good place to grocery shop. They offer kids candy on Halloween. Maybe they host a block party.
3. Respect the privacy of others and don’t trespass. They extend friendship, while recognizing that some may accept it, and some may not. The fact is that some folks like to keep to themselves, and that is their right. Unless there is mutual agreement, they don’t go over on their neighbor’s property without an invitation. They don’t engage in “light trespass” either, by leaving a bright light on all night outside your bedroom window.
4. Are Helpful. If someone has a new baby or a death in the family, or a vehicle is stuck in the mud, they lend a helping hand. They are also willing to lend a cup of sugar or a tool you need for a special project. (Of course it’s also important for the recipient to promptly return all loaned items in good repair.)
5. Watch out for each other. They are aware, without spying. If they notice suspicious activity or something amiss, they call or check it out.
6. Keep the peace. Noise can be incredibly irritating. Common complaints include loud music, blaring TVs, revving up a chainsaw or motorcycle early on a Sunday morning, driving an ATV in circles for hours on end, and dogs that bark incessantly.
7. Give you a heads up if they are going to make an unavoidable racket (e.g. during construction), and try to limit the impact. If they are planning to make a change that could affect you (like planting trees that could obscure your view) they talk with you about it first, offering the possibility of agreeing to a compromise.
8. Don’t drive too fast, endangering the lives of children and pets.
9. Manage themselves, and their own children and pets. They don’t engage in wild parties that extend into the wee hours, or screaming fights. Their children are well behaved. Their animals stay in their own yard.
10. Volunteer when they can. This can range from periodically picking up litter to getting involved in local organizations that help improve the quality of life in the community.
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