Meet the Neighbours
Our neighbourhoods are only as strong as the bonds we have with our neighbours. If you’ve recently moved into a new home or have noticed someone new move in next door, it’s not as hard as you might think to reach out and make a connection.
While we all want to preserve our privacy, the benefits of being good neighbours far outweigh whatever “exposure” we might fear in the process. Good neighbours make safer neighbourhoods. 
Good neighbours often can share tools and resources to reduce expenses and increase convenience. Finally, good neighbours can become good friends.
Here are a few ways to foster friendly connections:
Is it obvious that your neighbour has a great garden? Do they have solar panels? Does it seem they have an enthusiasm for the classic car they wash on Sundays? Open up a conversation with a polite compliment and genuine curiosity.
While you can probably Google any home project you’re considering, it’s also an opportunity to ask your neighbour if they know anything (or know anyone) about a project you’re interested in. This could be a home maintenance project, a business, or a community event.
Working with someone is a great way to build rapport. Are you thinking about pressure washing your house? See if your neighbor wants to tag team the project together. You can split the labour and the cost of the equipment rental.
Going it alone is sometimes harder than overcoming our resistance to meeting “the strangers” next door. Break the ice, build the neighbourhood. You’ll be glad you did.
Phillip Stables is with CENTURY 21 First Canadian Corp. in London, ON.
Posted by Phillip Stables
on June 19, 2012