Have you recently moved to a new neighborhood?

It’s not easy unless you have kids in school, then your contacts go up exponentially. But consider walking in your neighborhood. Be open and friendly. Smile and say hi.

read the local paper to find out issues.. go to the library to get books, check on book clubs there or at a local book store. join a church and get involved. if you don’t like church, find a local group that needs volunteers.

I move quite a bit, although I have been here for just over 5 years, but this is the longest I have lived somewhere as an adult. We always make an effort to know our neighbors. I have lived in 5 houses as an adult, and I still have close relationships with neighbors from 4 of the 5 places I lived. Even the missing 1 out of the 5’ while we lived there we knew our neighbors and went out to dinner with a particular couple every so often.

I go and introduce myself after I move in, when I see them outside. Or, have a party and invite the neighbors to meet them.

My neighbors I am closest too have my house key, we spend time together, ask each other for help. I would hate not to at least have some minimal relationship with my neighbors who live immediately around me.

I also walk in my neighborhood, and have met people that way, who do not necessarily live adjacent to me.

Several communities I have lived in have an online site, or publish a newsletter with what is going on, or it might be posted in a clubhouse.

I will let you know first hand in 8 days I am moving. Compared to the neighbors I have now this should be a breeze.

I just moved from Denmark over Christmas time and I came back home – new neighbourhood.
It is not difficult for me because I used to live here before.

I’ve been in the house I’m in now for almost a full year now. I know some of my neighbors, but not others. We live on a military post though, so our neighbors come and go quite a bit. Some of the neighbors I’ve met because of my son (because they also have children his age), some because they work with my husband, and some just from being outside and saying hi. In colder weather, it can be a bit harder because people stay in more, but in the warmer weather, I like to go outside and sit or go for a walk and that’s a great way to meet your neighbors. We will be moving again in about 6 weeks or so, so we’ll see how that move goes.

@zenvelo makes a valid point: Kids are the ambassadors to the neighborhood. We lived in my area for 10 years when my niece came to visit for a week. In that time, she knew all the people on the street. I still don’t know most of them.
We bought a new place in 2009, and we have made an effort to be friendly with the neighbors. I even have a list of names and addresses of those we have met, since I have a terrible memory for meeting people.

Kids do make it easier. But, I do not have kids and we always make wonderful friends with our neighbors. I think part of the reason kids make it is easier is the kids are doing the work for you, but you can go out and make friends also. You need to be proactive if you want to know your neighbors, not just sit back and wait for them.

I didn’t find it all that difficult. At first of course you know no one but the people here in my new house are all so friendly and open to meeting the new people. What was most surprising was that over 25% of the block has turned over in the last year so we are not the only newbies on the block! The new puppy is known by everyone…and they love my Sadie!