Neighborly Advice: 7 Tips for Being the Best Neighbor on the Block

Call us kind of nerdy, but… we happen to think that good neighbors are the best people.

Think about it - if everyone around you is awesome and friendly, life just gets better. You’ve got people to chat with, grab a drink with, and maybe even borrow a lawnmower from (if you’re into that sort of thing). Being a good neighbor means being a good person - someone who is there to support the village and is always down to lend a helping hand.

Plus, when you’re tight with your neighbors, you can throw epic block parties, grill some burgers, and have a blast, all in the comfort of your own neighborhood.

Not sure if you're a good neighbor? Follow these seven tips to ensure that you're always the best neighbor on the block.

#1: Introduce Yourself.

Whether you're new, someone new moves in, or you've lived there for three years and still haven't said hi, take a moment to introduce yourself. A gift isn't required, but consider taking your next door human a tasty treat, a gift card to your fave nearby restaurant, or even just some business cards for local service providers you love (like a housekeeping service or plumber).

Need some handy help? K&K has you covered.

#2: Be Respectful and Considerate. Being a boss at the neighbor game means showing respect and consideration for the folks around you. This means being mindful of your noise levels (no blasting music at 2am!), keeping your place tidy, and being kind when someone needs a favor. Get to know your neighbors’ lifestyles. If they work nights or have a new baby, make an effort to be quieter during the day. If you play the bagpipes, give them a heads up before you practice. Keep shared walls in mind when you’re setting up your surround sound system. It’s all about treating others how you want to be treated. #3: Follow the Parking Rules. Avoid blocking access to anyone else’s vehicles or parking spots, and avoid shining your headlights into someone's window or slamming your car door late at night. Don’t leave junk cars parked around the neighborhood for months, taking up valuable visitor parking. And if you need to let your car warm up, make sure the tailpipe is pointing away from windows and doors. #4: Be a Good Pet Parent. Keep your dog on leash, your cats in the house, pick up after your pets, and try to keep a handle on noise. Not only is this good neighbor behavior, it’s also local law in many areas. We want everyone to love Fido as much as you do!

#5: Be Tolerant of and Kind Towards Your Neighbors. We’re all a little bit weird in our own special ways. Make an effort to tolerate the weirdness of your neighbors, and remember that you’ve got some super special quirks too. Avoid stereotyping or making assumptions based on race, gender, religion, lifestyle, hair color, or anything else. #6: Stay Informed, But Avoid Gossip. Read your community newsletter, attend meetings and social events, and talk to your neighbors and community leaders to stay up to date on what’s happening in your village. But don’t engage in gossip, drama, and bullying. Gossip can seem harmless and entertaining, but it can escalate quickly and often leads to drama and fractures in a community. #7: Most Importantly - Don’t be a Karen. No one wants to be the neighborhood Karen. You know - that person who’s always complaining about everything and causing a ruckus. Let’s leave that negative energy at the entrance and focus on being good people. Sure, sometimes things can get annoying, like that dog barking nonstop or the neighbor’s car blocking your spot. But before you go all Karen on them, try talking it out like a normal human being. You might be surprised how far a little kindness and understanding can go. (And hey - don’t be afraid to share this post with them!) So, let’s all take a deep breath, put on a smile, and be the kind of neighbor that people want to hang out with. No Karens allowed!!! Follow K&K Property Management on Facebook for more neighborly advice, including spring home maintenance tips.