It's time to establish a sense of community and get to know your neighbors, whether you've recently moved in or have lived there for a while. Knowing who lives next to you and, more importantly, developing a relationship with them have many wonderful advantages! 

How do you even start? We don't even know where to begin when talking to my neighbor. We know that approaching someone out of the blue or having a first encounter can be a little awkward. Here are our suggestions for interacting with your neighbors and building relationships.

People Appreciate Gifts

Give your friendship a head start by making a small gift or gesture! In addition to being a great topic of conversation, it will also make your neighbor think of you when they see it. They might think they should reach out when they see the plant you brought over. 

To go the extra mile, we even recommend placing board games on your coffee table and placing framed pictures all over your house. They make excellent and simple conversation starters for letting people get to know you.

Win Neighbors Over With Food

A delicious way to express your consideration and gratitude for your neighbors is by giving them baked goods. Give your neighbors a meal or bake them some cookies during the holiday season! 

There are countless possibilities, and winning someone over with food is definitely a great way to go! 

Small Talks

Regardless of how you came to encounter your neighbors, keep the conversation light and positive. You should feel free to talk about the weather or anything else that comes to mind. To keep your neighbors interested, make sure to ask them questions. Asking your neighbor simple queries gives them the chance to participate and be active in the conversation and perhaps offer some valuable tips.

Also, please keep in mind to shy away from sensitive or unpleasant topics such as politics, religion, and the COVID pandemic. Remember that you’re establishing a lasting friendship, not starting a debate!

Go for a Yard Sale

Consider a scenario where you have more items to sell than can be put on social media marketplaces. That definitely calls for a yard sale!

A yard sale will not only assist you in getting rid of some of that clutter. It will also act as an open invitation for your neighbors to stop by, chat, and even make a purchase from you. Use their purchase as a conversation starter the next time you see them if they do make a purchase. 

Let Your Dog Be the Icebreaker

Find others who have dogs if you have one! Go to your neighborhood dog park and sit there while your dog is having fun while you observe the scene and your audience. Make it a point to drop by frequently and pay attention to who else does the same. Make small talk with any particular group you notice, and get to know them and their dogs! 

Who knows, perhaps next time you'll be developing a friendship from your chance encounters at the dog park!

Interests

Finding neighbors with whom you share interests will help you build friendships.

Listen for topics of interest as you converse with your neighbors, and feel free to bring up some of your own interests. Discussing your job, where you're from, favorite sports teams, etc., can help you get to know your neighbors better.

Participate in Community Events

The community in which you live as well as your neighbors, can be engaged through community events. There is sure to be something that appeals to your interests among the many events, mixers, and get-togethers that communities offer. If you'd like to have a particular event, let the office team know because they usually accept requests for events. 

A great excuse to bring your neighbor along for the fun is community events!

Social Media

We are accustomed to communicating digitally, which frequently makes face-to-face communication awkward. If this is personal to you, don't worry! Resources like Nextdoor can help with that. It's a fantastic way to interact with neighbors and spread information about your neighborhood online. 

You and your neighbors can then gradually develop a friendship and possibly even decide to meet in person.

Go Outside

If you spend the entire time inside your house, getting to know your neighbors is difficult. The likelihood of a chance encounter rises when you hang out in your yard, particularly if you designate your front yard as a hangout area. 

The time is right to install that front porch swing you've always wanted! Cornhole and other yard games make excellent conversation starters! Ask your neighbors to join you!

Be You

If there is one piece of advice you should remember, it's to be yourself when meeting and interacting with your neighbors. What you really are. If they like what they see, they will gravitate toward you, and if not, you probably don't want to invest in them either. Both opposites and like-minded people will naturally draw each other out. 

We also advise keeping an open mind and avoiding making snap judgments. A person may occasionally need a few tries to warm up. They might be timid. You simply can't know unless you try it!

Request for Their Advice

If you're new to the area, you might ask around for information on hidden gems, such as coffee shops, restaurants, bike paths, and more; locals often know these places better than Google. Or perhaps you're inspired by your neighbors' lovely landscaping and want to develop your own green thumb? Request their knowledge or learn who their landscaper is. 

There are many different approaches to seeking advice; it all depends on you.

Conclusion

It is not always simple or comfortable, but with a smile and a simple hello, you will be bringing laughter and memories to your dinner table. 

Using our tips, you can learn how to befriend your neighbors and provide your dog with a new furry pal to play with, among other benefits.