6 Ways to Get to Know Your Neighbors

Do you know your neighbors?

For many of us, the answer is no. We live in a world where it’s common to go about our business without getting to know the people around us in our community. Getting to know your neighbors is more important than ever right now.

Why is it important to get to know your neighbors?

When we know each other, we can look out for each other. It’s easier to band together and make change when it’s needed to keep your neighborhood safe, to protect each other, and to be a connected community when the people who live nearby are familiar with each other. 

It used to be a cliche to go next door and borrow a cup of sugar from a neighbor if you were out. Can you imagine doing that now? A lot of us can’t. Getting to know your neighbors will help you feel more connected to your community, will help you feel less alone, and will make you feel like you’re part of something bigger than yourself. It’s helpful to know the people nearby when there are natural disasters, like snowstorms or hurricanes, so that you can check in on whoever needs help, or ask for it if you need it. 

In tight economic times, it’s also lovely to have a community network of people you can ask for help! Neighbors can borrow items, like lawnmowers, barter services, like childcare, and look out for each other when going out of town. Getting through life takes a village, and neighbors can be an important part of that village. 

Are you wondering how to get started getting to know your neighbors? Here are some suggestions to get the ball rolling in your community:

Walk around without headphones

The best way to get to know your community is to spend more time in it! Try taking a walk every day, without headphones on, to signal that you’re open for conversation. Get to know the different streets in your area, notice the different flora and fauna, and smile at people that you see. 

If you have a dog that’s friendly, that can be a great way to meet people outside - people love to get to know cute animals! Walking your dog (or a friend’s dog!) is a great way to meet other dog owners and lovers in your neighborhood, which is an excellent start.

Sit on your porch or steps 

If walks aren’t your thing, try spending more time out in your front yard or stoop. While your backyard, if you have one, is probably more private, spending time out front lets you interact with people who are passing by. Sit out front with a fun beverage and a book, and once again, skip the headphones to let people know that you’re open to chat. Say hi to people as they walk by. It might feel awkward at first, but that’s okay! 

Another way to meet people is to work in your yard out front, if you have one. Plant people love to chat, and you might even meet someone you can trade plants and tools with! If you don’t have a space where you can garden at your home, see if there are any community gardens in your area. They are often looking for volunteers and it’s another great way to meet neighbors who care about the same things you do.

Host a potluck

This is another one that might feel awkward, but that’s just because it’s something new. It might be out of your comfort zone to invite virtual strangers over for a meal, but you don’t have to invite the whole neighborhood over. Start with the people you’ve chatted with on your walks or out front - just 3 or 4 people to start with. See if anyone has any interest in coming over for a shared meal, or chipping in a few bucks for a pizza. After that, you won’t actually be strangers, and it will be much less awkward going forward. 

And if you don’t hit it off, that’s okay! You can just smile and wave when you see each other in the neighborhood. You don’t have to be best friends, you can just focus on being kind and neighborly.

Start one at a time

Remind yourself that you don’t have to go from knowing zero neighbors to knowing everyone in your neighborhood overnight. Start with the houses or apartments next to yours, and move out from there. Be friendly and kind when you see people. If you’re able to, maybe offer to shovel someone’s driveway or bring in their groceries. Send them a funny picture of a bird at your bird feeder, and ask if they know what species it is. Offer to bring in people’s mail if you see them going on vacation. There are a thousand little ways to be in community with each other, so experiment with what works for you, and stick with it.

Offer to share

If you have a skill or an item that your neighbors might be in need of, offer to share. We tend to be a very individualistic society, and it often doesn’t occur to us that we can actually share our resources and skills with the people around us - we don’t actually all need to get our own versions of everything. What can you share with a neighbor? 

Maybe you can grab them something the next time you go to Costco. Or maybe you’re great with tools, and can help them fix that thing they’ve been meaning to get to. Perhaps they can help you find a babysitter or help dig out your car the next time it’s stuck. Once you start to think of the different ways we can offer to support each other, it’s hard to stop! 

Keep track of who you meet

It’s hard to remember names sometimes, and getting to know multiple neighbors at once can be overwhelming, so try to make it as easy on yourself as possible by keeping a note of new neighbors. Whether it’s in a journal or on your phone, jot down who you meet, where they live, and note anything else about your interaction so you remember them next time. Something like “Karen, red house, keeps chickens.” 

This isn’t to keep track of people in a creepy way, just to remind you of who they are and why you know them until their name is locked in your memory. Remembering the little details goes a long way toward making people feel special, and it will help encourage those new connections to grow. 

Are you looking for more ways to build connections with others? Working with a therapist can help. Contact our office today to make an appointment!