Moving into a new home can be an exciting experience. Meeting your new neighbors however can give off a feeling of anxiety. Let’s show you how to interact and make yourself at home in your new environment.
Introduce yourself
To make yourself known in your new environment, take the initiative to introduce yourself to your neighbors. When you finally settle into your new home, go to your next door neighbors or to the apartment above and below and introduce yourself. Take along a bottle of wine or pastries as a kind gesture to break the ice
Be approachable.
Nothing will push you further away from the community than being closed off and aloof. Instead, create opportunities for others to socialize with you. Take walks around the neighborhood, relax out on your front porch, smile and wave to others as you pass by, take the kids to the park and be alert.
Join a group/society
Find out the local associations in your neighborhood and join one which connects you to your neighbours. Find out what your community offers in the way of group activities, such as book clubs, wine tastings, or farmers’ markets. This is a great way to find common ground to help you fit in with your neighbors. A homeowner’s association or a watch group, is a prime example of a way to familiarize yourself with your neighbours.
Be a good neighbour
You can’t expect your new neighbors to accept you if you are inconsiderate of the neighborhood. Be courteous and inviting, and be the type of neighbor you want others to be. Don’t block your new neighbors’ driveways on moving day. If it can’t be avoided, give prior notice to your neighbors if the moving truck will block their driveway or inconvenience them. Make sure to always leave your yard or driveway in a good state in order for it not to be an eyesore. Give your neighbors no reason to have negative impression of you from the onset.
Bring your kids into it
Encourage your kids to get to know the other kids in the neighborhood. Double score if these kids are also out and about with their parents when they meet. This will give you the opportunity to introduce yourself and, if your kids are young enough, plan for a future play date. If your kids are moving to the new school in the area, this will be the perfect opportunity to make friends with the parents of the children in your children’s class. Get involved with the Parents Teachers Association and go for school activities. All these are sure to get you and your family assimilated into the community.
If you and your family are introverts or prefer to mind your own business, putting yourself out there may be tough. Remember to go at your own pace. It’s okay to take a more measured approach, also. Start off by treating others as you’d like to be treated. A smile can go a long way to establishing a good first impression. At Devtraco Plus, our facilities manager and staff are always on hand to help you get started and carve your own niche in the Devtraco Plus community.