When you move into a new home, everything is new - your home, the neighbourhood, nearby amenities, and of course, your neighbours. Since the relationship you have with them will be important, here are some ways you can put your best foot forward in being a good neighbour.
Introduce Yourself
This is the most obvious way to be neighbourly, but likely the most intimidating as well. We just don’t get to know our neighbours as well as we used to.
Who are they and what are they like? Remove the mystery for the both of you and say hello. We aren’t suggesting you wear your Sunday Finest and deliver a homemade pie with the whole family in tow. It can be as informal as a friendly greeting while retrieving the mail.
At worst, it's a moment of awkwardness; at best it could be the beginning of a great friendship.
Encourage Open Communication
You may not become best friends with your new neighbours, but it will be beneficial to both of you to keep a light and friendly line of communication open. This way, should an issue arise that either of you would like to address, it will be much easier to bring up.
It could be as simple as a brief chat over the backyard fence, sending them a Christmas card or just a friendly hello when you see them. However, it is important that when an issue needs to be brought up, it's in the same tone as your conversation has always been.
Maintain Your Property
Your neighbour’s property value is determined by a great number of things, one of which is the appearance of the homes immediately surrounding theirs. They will be quite unhappy if their new neighbour does not maintain their property.
There are many things you can do to be a good neighbour in this regard:
- Cut your lawn and trim hedges on a regular basis.
- Rake leaves in the fall and dispose of them properly.
- Shovel and salt your sidewalk in a timely manner.
- Work with your neighbour to determine how trees that overhang on their lawn should be dealt with.
- Ensure the exterior of your home is clean and well maintained.
- Repair and maintain shared fences with those next door to you.
Doing these things is not only beneficial to those on your street, but it is vitally important to you. You probably won’t live in your current home forever, so keeping it in great shape now means a faster sale at a price you can be happy with in the future.
Dude, Where’s My Car?
Parking in some communities may be a rare commodity, especially in townhome or condo properties where there is reserved parking spaces for each resident. If your household has more cars than spots to park, don’t make a habit of parking in front of your neighbour's home, and certainly do not park in a spot reserved for them.
While residents don’t have ownership of the street parking in front of their house, it's considered a common courtesy to leave this space for them. If you live in a condo with reserved parking, be sure to let your guests know to park their vehicle in guest parking or on the street. They may be ticketed and towed otherwise.
Keep it Down Over There
No one expects you to be as quiet as a church mouse (unless that’s your thing!) Have parties in your home, let your kids be rowdy in the backyard, and generally go about living your life. But be considerate about it.
The City of Edmonton's bylaws allows for 50 decibels of noise, comparable to an outdoor conversation or a large electrical transformer, between the hours of 10:00 pm and 7:00 am. During the day that noise level is increased to 65 decibels, or just a little louder than restaurant conversation or background music.
There are exceptions to these noise levels, and your home will muffle a bit of this, but use common sense. Don’t mow your lawn at 5:30 am, host a loud house party late into the night, or leave your dog outside to bark constantly in the early morning hours.
Random Acts of Kindness
Consider shovelling the snow off your neighbour’s driveway while they’re away so they don’t have to do it when they get home. Send condolences and flowers if they are experiencing a loss of a family member. These are the times that strengthen the bounds of any relationship, and your neighbours will always remember your acts of service and be grateful.
Don’t Be a Hermit
Get out there and be an active participant in your community; get involved with your community league, attend and help plan block parties and backyard barbecues. It could be as easy as opening your home to neighbourhood kids so they can play with your children.
Allow people to get to know you, as this is just as important as you getting to know them. By doing this, if you are a good neighbour to them they will reciprocate in kind. Treat each other as you’d want to be treated.
Life can be stressful enough without adding an annoyed neighbour into the mix. By getting to know them and being intentional about being a good neighbour, it will make both your lives more enjoyable. Who knows, maybe the person next door turns into a lifelong friend!
