Want to enjoy life in your neighborhood? Being a good neighbor is critical to maintaining a peaceful life while living in neighborhoods that can in most cases have a neighbor on three sides.

To create and maintain relationships with your neighbors can foster a happy community and a reliable support system. Treat your neighbors as you would like to be treated. Simple gestures include a friendly wave, a brief check-in, inviting them over, or offering help with errands.

• Be considerate of noise, especially during early morning or late-night hours. If you’re hosting an evening party, let your neighbors know beforehand. Keep noise to a minimum, especially in shared living spaces like apartments.
• Keep your space neat by properly disposing of trash, maintaining an orderly yard, and adhering to community rules.
• Be mindful of others’ and your pet’s safety. Keep pets on a leash when walking and ensure others feel comfortable around them. If dogs bark frequently, give neighbors a heads up and work to correct the habit.
• Provide open communication. Use online tools, email threads, or newsletters to keep neighbors informed about important information or upcoming events. Exchanging phone numbers can also make communication easier.
• Extend a warm welcome to new residents and introduce them to others in the neighborhood.
• Offer help and provide assistance when you see a neighbor in need, whether it’s shoveling snow or helping with yard work.
• Report suspicious activity. Be aware of unusual occurrences and report them to ensure the safety of everyone.
• Strive to be pleasant, polite, and respectful to your neighbors.
• Make Introductions. Introduce yourself when moving in and welcome new neighbors to the community.
• Respect boundaries and privacy. Be mindful of property lines and avoid intruding on your neighbors’ privacy. Don’t look into their windows or eavesdrop on conversations.
• Be civil when dealing with conflict. Address issues respectfully and without defensiveness, face-to-face rather than through notes or social media. Listen calmly, apologize, and seek a solution.
• Stay out of the grapevine. In other words, avoid getting involved in neighborhood gossip.
• Be trustworthy. Show you care about your neighbors by signing for packages or delivering mail that was misdelivered.
• Be Friendly. Greet neighbors and have brief chats with them.

Concurrently, there are behaviors to avoid. Try not to create undue nuisances, refrain from creating disturbances that could bother your neighbors. Avoid being excessively loud, especially during late or early hours. Avoid getting involved in neighborhood drama and remain neutral. Don’t allow guests to park in the neighbor’s driveway or block their access to their property. Failing to follow HOA rules can irritate neighbors. Accept that you may not become best friends with your neighbors. Avoid uninvited visits or overly familiar behavior.

In short, be a good neighbor. It will protect the value of your home in the long run.