Whether you are someone who is always ready to invite your neighbours over for a cuppa or you barely tolerate them, know that there are benefits to building positive relationships between you and the people next door.
But of course, not everyone has perfect neighbours, maybe they deserve to be on the TV show ‘The nightmare neighbour nextdoor’. Or maybe it’s you, you don’t like socialising with the people who live the closest to you.
Below you will discover the pros and cons of befriending neighbours.
Pros
Sense of security
Perhaps it is time for you to join your neighbourhood watch. Or maybe you don’t have one yet, so it’s time for you to round your neighbours up to regularly get together to watch out for crime.
You might feel that befriending your neighbours is unnecessary since you have not experienced a burglary, but you will feel lonely and helpless if you ever do. In times like these you need community support, knowing you have the whole street looking out for you.
Not ready to invite the neighbours over? Start by joining neighbourhood groups like Nextdoor and Facebook groups. Get a sense of the community you live in so you always know you are not alone.
Who knows, get close enough and next time you lock yourself out of your house you won’t have to call for an emergency locksmith.
But how exactly do you break the ice with your neighbours?
If you are feeling brave, get a box of cookies (baked or supermarket) and knock on your neighbour’s door saying hi. Ok not everyone appreciates Southern American hospitality, they might not trust that you are being genuine so maybe just write them a note or card saying hi.
What? You haven’t talked to your neighbours for all the years you’ve lived at your place. Ok, easy fix just write a note that you can put through their letterbox like:
Hi xxxx,
I am so sorry for not saying hi properly before.
My name is xxx,
I live at xxx,
If you ever need anything my number is xxxxxx
Many thanks,
Xxxxxx
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear them.
Keep things friendly, smile and wave the next time you see them.
They might think you’re weird but you’re breaking the ice, and know that you have done your part to bring your community together.
Community spirit
Knowing your neighbours can build up a community spirit. But building up community spirit takes time, dedication and some sort of maintenance.
Here our a few ways you can build up a community spirit in your neighbourhood:
- Have summer bbqs that you invite your neighbours to.
- Start up a book club that involves your neighbours.
- Garage sale: a great way to invite your neighbours to a casual event so you can get to know them better.
- Game nights: a way to bond with your neighbours.
- Invite them over for dinner.
- Start a neighbourhood group chat .
Pet watching
If you grow close enough to your neighbours you could ask them to pet sit. Especially if they are retired or out of a job/too young for a job. Pay them and don’t take advantage of their kindness. Also, make sure that they are responsible and trustworthy- don’t just let anyone petsit.
Take in your packages
Neighbours who know you will know exactly what to do when your packages arrive at their door.
We all know the dread of having your package delivered next door when you know you put specific delivery instructions to deliver your package behind the bin.
However, by knowing your neighbour you won’t have to worry if your package gets delivered to them as it’ll be in safe hands.
Plus, if you are not around but know they are you could ask them permission to deliver it to their place.
Cons
Steal your packages
Can you truly trust your neighbours, what if they decide to steal your packages?
Not everyone has nice neighbours, and it only takes one bad moment to have neighbours from hell.
You didn’t choose to live together
It is very unlikely that you chose to live near your neighbours, and so maybe pursuing a relationship beyond pleasantries isn’t necessary.
And it can be very awkward if you end up not getting along, knowing you have to live next door to them.
Privacy
Some people would rather live not being known by others. These people want to live a quiet life, undisturbed by constant requests to socialise with their neighbours.
So by befriending your neighbour, you might have the worry that they will know everything about you and if they don’t like you they could use it against you.
You don’t want to trade a peaceful, more private life by befriending your neighbour?
Besides, befriending neighbours means that you won’t ever stop thinking ‘What will Mr Jones think?’ Don’t do it. It’s a trap. You don’t want your neighbours in your head.
Final thoughts
Neighbours, good or bad, will be next door to you for a good chunk of time, so whether you are best friends with them or not is less important, prioritise getting on with them.
Yes, there are many pros to befriending neighbours like having more of a sense of security where you live. And there are a few cons so if you want to get to know the people who live next door, then get out the biscuits and knock on their door.
Just don’t forget to remain respectful, you hardly ever choose to live next door to a group of people.
