Making a Great Neighborhood
Great homes are not just made by great design, but great people. Those passionate homemakers who’ve opened their doors to strangers and gone above and beyond to improve everyone’s living spaces are the anchors of their area, keeping residents on their block. Making a great neighborhood is a team effort, and it can certainly benefit from your input.
It might sound like a lot of work, but readers of the blog will be refreshed to know that it doesn’t have to be a time-consuming effort to get involved. Here are a few tips for making your neighborhood great.
Develop relationships with your neighbors
How well do you know the people that live next door? If the answer is “not at all,” then you’ll want to change that. Neighbors are an excellent resource. They’re literally invested into the same space you are, and that means that their needs are largely compatible. Goals like safety and improving the area can be discussed with them, and bonds can be forged through shared spaces.
You’ll want to make every effort to be friendly with your neighbors. You should never want to come off as a “nosy neighbor,” as that’s a bad strategy. Rather, take your time and show how sincere you are in your quest to get to know them. Invite them over for dinner, a drink, or some sort of activity to get to know them better.
Pay Attention to Your Surroundings
In addition to developing great relationships with your neighbors, readers are also advised to stay vigilant. The adage “if you see something, say something” works at the state and national levels because of people who care at the local level. Instead of letting the area you live become just a pleasant background, stop and take a moment to take it all in. What stands out to you? Are there certain vehicles that look new? Do you see anything that inspires curiosity? How would you describe your area? What hazards, if any, do you see in the community? And what faces - new or old - catch your gaze?
Pay attention to the area, especially the items that change. Those items may signal something quaint or something that may be cause for concern. If you see something that strikes you as odd, you may want to call the non-emergency number for the police station to ask questions and share what you know.
Get Involved
If you don’t think that it’s enough to talk to your neighbors or keep an eye out, then maybe you should consider becoming an active member of your community. This could mean any number of things, from starting a neighborhood watch group to participating in local government. Larger social media platforms such as Facebook have now become a host for community groups that allow posting about concerns like potholes or suggestions for making the neighborhood great. There are also social media companies specifically catering to the needs of people wanting to connect with their community and websites that unite communities for a common goal. You’ll also want to ask your property managers about the use of local bulletin boards or access to the blog/newsletter so that you can use it to share items of interest and reach out to everyone at a larger level.