Staying on friendly terms with your neighbors is essential to successful apartment living, whether neighbors can be found on either side of you or down the hall. Since it can be hard to know how friendly is too friendly, or when it’s OK to ask for a favor, we have some great tips for making you the best neighbor on your block.
Here are five simple ways to be a good neighbor:
- Say hi. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and make connections with your neighbors. If you live in a large apartment building it’s nice to establish that one-on-one interaction and develop a friendly relationship. Take advantage of summer bashes or holiday parties your building organizes to get to know your neighbors. Remember, a simple hello goes a long way.
- Keep your neighbors in the loop. Whether you’re throwing a party with some of your friends or remodeling your apartment, it’s nice to keep your neighbors informed. Being considerate of your neighbors will most likely make them respectful of you as well and can proactively eliminate any tension down the road.
- Borrow and return. Having neighbors close by is convenient for those times where you need a cup of sugar or a hammer to hang a picture on the wall, but make sure you return the favor or item. Forgetting to return that DVD or keeping a power drill for months can make running into your neighbor an awkward and uncomfortable encounter.
- Little gestures can go a long way. Offer to collect newspapers, water plants or feed their pet while your neighbors are away on vacation. These types of gestures can help build a relationship and they will be more inclined to return the favor when you need it!
- Control your pets. Make sure you keep your pet on a leash while walking outside of your apartment. As a courtesy, alert your neighbors about a new pet in your household as it might create extra noise and chaos for the first few weeks.
Keep these simple tips in mind to make apartment living better for both you and your neighbors!