Being on bad terms with your neighbour can make your life frustrating, day after day. But taking the time to establish good terms with your neighbours has numerous benefits. The community will be friendlier, the neighbourhood safer, and the area a nicer and more comfortable place to live.
Tips
- Send them a bouquet of flowers, invite them over for dinner, offer to babysit or petsit, something like that. They will be very happy.
- Really good neighbours watch out for each other. They ask each other for advice, and offer to help, especially on matters that impact the larger neighbourhood. They respect each others' boundaries but are quick to assist in a crisis. They look for opportunities to collaborate and to socialize. - Great neighbours make for great neighbourhoods, and it is well worth the effort.
- Check local regulations regarding fires in your backyard and noise levels. There are laws in most jurisdictions regulating such things.
- If you are experiencing problems with an anti-social neighbour and you are unable to resolve them yourself, then see if your local government has website information on dispute resolution. For example, look for a website with information on how to tackle anti-social behaviour in your community. Law Enforcement 021 554 8005.
Introduce yourself. Whether you're new in the neighborhood or new residents have just moved in on your block, introduce yourself. Say hello, offer a welcoming gift (the classic homemade pie never fails) and share or ask about the local area: "Where's the nearest pizzeria?" or "The garbage truck comes by on Mondays, usually around 10 in the morning, but sometimes he sneaks in at 8."
