All neighborhoods have their own personalities. Some tend to be more open to socializing, while others are made up of people who prefer to stay to themselves. Regardless of the type of neighborhood you live in, there are still some basic etiquette rules you should follow to be a good neighbor.
The ultimate goal is to live in peace and harmony, and even though that’s not always possible, you can at least do whatever it takes to prevent hostilities and long-lasting hard feelings. Follow these tips on how to be a good neighbor.
Noise
No one expects you to be quiet as a mouse, but you should also respect certain rules when it comes to making too much noise. A lot depends on where you live, what type of dwelling you occupy, and the habits of your neighbors. Noise acceptability on a street filled with young families is different from an apartment building occupied by single twenty-somethings. Follow some basic noise etiquette rules:
If you live in an apartment building, don’t holler to someone at the other end of the hall. Others may be sleeping or resting.
Avoid noisy projects like hammering a nail on a common wall that you share with the apartment next door past 8 p.m. at night. It can wait until the next day.
Try and wait until at least 10 a.m. to mow your lawn in the morning. Mowing at 7 a.m. on a Saturday morning will not endear you to your neighbors.
Sitting outside on a warm summer night with your spouse or friend is wonderful, but if your house is on a small lot and the neighbor’s bedroom window is close, try not to hold a long conversation on the back porch past 10 p.m. Take it inside so your neighbor can sleep.
Avoid unnecessary noise from any source from late-night hours to early morning hours.
Being a Good Neighbor
Follow the “Golden Rule” to be a good neighbor. These are people you are likely to see every day, or at least fairly often. This can include:
Observe and respect your neighbor’s personal space.
Be mindful if you borrow anything. Return the item immediately after using it. If you break the item, pay to fix it or replace it.
Don’t be the neighborhood gossip.
If you have an issue with a neighbor, go directly to that person and discuss it in an adult manner.
Not everyone is a dog or cat lover, so show responsibility for your pets. Keep them off the neighbor’s lawn and pick up after them.
Remember your neighbors during the holidays with a card or small homemade gift and don’t expect anything in return. Enjoy the act of giving.
If you and a neighbor have a misunderstanding, make an extra effort to make things right by shaking hands and at least being on friendly terms.
If your neighborhood has a homeowners association, know the rules and follow them.
Curb Appeal
A good neighbor is one who maintains the exterior of the house and lawn to the same level as the rest of the neighborhood. You don’t want your house to be the one on the street that drags down the value of homes. Basic exterior maintenance tips include:
Mow the lawn.
Remove mold from the exterior walls and paint when necessary.
Make sure that trees, shrubs, and other elements don’t creep into your neighbor’s yard. This includes tree limbs, spreading shrubs, and weeds.
Remove all bicycles, skateboards, and toys from the front yard at the end of the day.
Social Events
You might be a party animal, and that’s just fine as long as you don’t intrude or impose on your neighbors. An occasional late-night blast might be forgiven, but all-night parties every single weekend can make you a rude neighbor. Be respectful of your neighbors when you throw a party. Follow good neighbor guidelines:
Ask your guests to park in the driveway or in front of your house. Make sure they don’t block someone else’s driveway or use another resident’s designated spot in an apartment complex lot.
Obey noise ordinance laws. If a neighbor calls or comes over and asks you to pipe down, be friendly and apologize. Then quiet down.
Introduce Yourself to Your New Neighbors
Neighbors can make a new family feel welcome by stopping by for a friendly introduction. This enriches the lives of new neighbors as well as those who have lived there for a while. Ideas to welcome new neighbors include:
Introduce yourself as soon as you can. Give the new neighbors your phone number.
Hand-deliver a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers from your garden.
Offer to have the new neighbors’ children over while the moving van is unloading the furniture.
Give the new family a list of services and phone numbers in the area. Include emergency services, doctors’ offices, dentists, schools, places that offer carryout, dry cleaners, and whatever else you can think of.
Have a block party once a year to get to know all the new neighbors.
When people make an effort to be a good neighbor by following proper etiquette, everyone will have a sense of well-being, knowing you are all surrounded by friends. The neighborhood will be more appealing, and you’ll be more content in your home. An extra benefit is knowing that you and your neighbors will look out for each other and are available for help.
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