Meet The Neighbors

Now that you’ve got the boxes unpacked, it’s time to meet your neighbors. Meeting new people can be a little nerve-wracking, so here are some hints on how to meet your new neighbors.
Just say “hi”
The quickest way to get to know the new neighbors is to simply wave to them. When you’re standing on the porch of your new home or driving by in your car, give them a big smile and a wave. This will tip them off that you’re a friendly person. Greet your neighbors as you see them out and about.
When you stop by for introductions, be sure to keep it short and not ask too many questions. You don’t want to seem like you are prying. Just keep the conversation light. For example, tell them where you moved from or ask for a local restaurant recommendation. Another benefit to keeping it short is that you can get a good read on what that new neighbor is like. If you aren’t getting a good vibe, then you’ll know it’s not a friendship you want to pursue. You don’t have to be friends with everyone, but you should give them all a chance until you find the folks you bond with best.
Join in the fun
Your next move is to start getting involved in community activities, so you can get to know everyone better. It’s easy to start up conversations when you are sharing a common interest. It can be as easy as going to the neighborhood pool or gym and chatting up friendly-looking folks. It’s also good to participate in a regular meeting like neighborhood watch or the homeowner’s association. Or go nuts and start your own club! If you love to run, create a running group. Put flyers on mailboxes announcing a kick-off meeting at a neutral location like a clubhouse or local coffee shop. Taking the initiative shows everyone that you want to be a part of their community and aren’t afraid to step up.
Connect online
Meeting face-to-face is great, but if you live in a really big neighborhood it’s sometimes hard to reach everyone — and you don’t want to miss out on meeting the other guy who loves building miniature train models! You can connect online by searching your neighborhood’s name and the phrase “neighborhood association.” Once you find yours, sign up for the email list, Facebook page, or whatever tool they are using to network. Connecting electronically gives you access to informative conversations about local events, political issues, activities for kids and neighborhood meetups. Even if you just read the emails and don’t post your own, you can get a good idea of who’s who in the neighborhood.
Open the doors
Okay, you’ve been working really hard at meeting the folks on your block and finding new friends with common interests. Now it’s time to open your doors and invite your neighbors over! After a few months, you’ll know enough people that you feel comfortable with, plus you can branch out by inviting some neighbors you haven’t met yet. Host a casual open house, barbeque or potluck where people can come and go over a period of a few hours. Be sure to have nametags on hand.
Before you know it, you’ll be making new friends in your neighborhood. Don’t forget to pay the goodwill forward and say hi to other new folks on the block when they move in.