How to Create a Great Neighborhood

I'm very fortunate to live in a great neighborhood. Most of us moved into the neighborhood at about the same time, when the construction was finished and the houses were first being sold. We know and greet each other by name, babysitting services are swapped, and for the most part, everyone gets along pretty well. There are enough of us who work or stay at home to keep an eye on the neighborhood during the day, and if a family goes on vacation, we all know to keep an eye open for suspicious moving vans. We have at least one block party every year on the 4th of July, sometimes on other days "just because."

When I've told others about my wonderful neighborhood, they are often amazed. Many people have lived next door to other families for years, yet don't even know their names. In some neighborhoods, lawsuits are tossed back and forth, all because of a barking dog, an over hanging tree branch, or one too many parked cars. So with this in mind, I put together a list of 10 things that are common in my neighborhood, with the hopes that maybe some of you can put these ideas to use to improve things in your own neighborhood.

TEN WAYS TO MAKE A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD

1. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. People used to actually give things called "house warming gifts". Take a plate of cookies. Make an effort to learn and remember their names.
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3. Offer your help with anything they might need. Suggestions about where to shop, contractors, local veterinarians, etc. can be very useful. Offers to help unpack, move furniture, or fix a running toilet can make a huge difference.
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5. Maintain your home and yard so that it is neat and attractive. The way your home looks affects the whole neighborhood.
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7. Respect your neighbor's privacy. That means no peeking through windows to see what kind of stuff they have, no flipping through their mail, and no peeking over the fence.
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9. Be courteous when you throw a party or have guests. Keep in mind the volume of your music, loud talking and laughing. Even better, invite your neighbors over to join you! End the party at a decent time.
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11. Control your pets! You may be used to Fido's constant barking, but your neighbors aren't. They also might not appreciate your cat using their flower beds as a litter box. If your dog poops on their lawn, pick it up!
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13. Be generous about loaning out your tools or appliances, and return anything you borrow in a timely manner and with a sincere thank you.
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15. Introduce your kids to theirs, and if you don't have any, or there is a big age difference, introduce their kids to others in the neighborhood.
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17. Offer to collect mail, pick up the newspaper, water plants and maybe even watch pets when your neighbors are out of town.
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19. Avoid gossiping about your neighbors. If you overhear a verbal argument, you don't have to share the details with everyone.
    
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Cheers!