The Easiest Way To Welcome New Neighbors

Moving to a new home may have only rated a 20 on the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale – that 70s-era psychological study in which researchers related common life stressors to illness – but anyone who’s moved knows that it’s never easy. Packing and unpacking, new schools, new jobs, upended schedules and routines, too much fast food … it’s enough to make even the most easygoing among us experience some very real stress that’s hard to put a number on. So when residents join your communities, it’s the neighborly thing to do to make sure that “Will our neighbors be nice?” is one less thing they’ll have to worry about.

The easiest way to welcome new neighbors? Think about what you would’ve appreciated when moving into the neighborhood. There are gestures that both an HOA and individual residents can make to roll out the red carpet for the people next door:

 

• Gifts that reflect the community
  It doesn’t need to cost a lot of money. Residents might decide to drop off a pan of brownies (reusable or recyclable containers – don’t add “return dish” to their to-do list) or a basket of apples from the tree in their back yard. HOAs could send over a gift card for a local farmer’s market or the great coffee shop on the corner.

• Share your knowledge
  It takes time to figure out where the best salons are, who the most reliable mechanic is, which pizzerias deliver, if any parks have family movie nights in the summer. Residents can help by providing a simple list of some of their area favorites. And HOAs might provide a calendar or schedule of important events – from board meetings to block parties – in which new residents can meet new people and get a feel for the community.

• Offer help and a smile
  Sometimes it’s nice for someone to simply smile, wave, and/or introduce themselves – and it’s helpful to know who you can contact if you have questions as you settle in. You don’t need to go overboard – after all, you don’t want to overwhelm anyone and you do want to respect their privacy and personal space – but letting someone know that you’re glad to have them and willing to help is always a good-neighbor move.