Being a Good Neighbor 101

Apartment living means living in close proximity to a lot of people. Even in a small complex, you will have neighbors. Your experience in your apartment will depend in large part on how you interact (or don’t) with your neighbors.

Sometimes it’s as easy as saying hello. It’s amazing how quick people respond with even the most simple of sincere communications. Along those same lines, common courtesy goes a long way toward ensuring positive experiences with other people.

Remember when your mother would ask you to hold the door or ask you to help an elderly neighbor take in her groceries? That’s common courtesy, and it’s an important part of being a good neighbor.

Along the same lines, no one likes being ignored or walked by, or worse yet, stalked, so there’s a fine line you need to avoid crossing. If you’re getting your mail and someone else is getting his mail, say hello.

Certainly people are busy and we don’t always have time to stop and talk, but just acknowledging someone else’s hurried day can go a long way toward being a good neighbor.

Perhaps the best way to get along with your neighbors is to treat them the way you want to be treated. If you wouldn’t want to be awakened at 2 a.m. by loud music and screaming, don’t allow or participate in that behavior in your own apartment.

Be considerate of the apartment community’s shared spaces, such as assigned parking. Keep your guests (and yourself) out of your neighbor’s parking spaces.

Human beings are social beings, and even in this age of technology, human interaction is required, expected and usually an enriching experience. Throughout life you’ll have friends and you’ll have neighbors. If you’re really lucky you’ll have some that are both.

What examples do you have of being a good neighbor or meeting a good neighbor. Let us know about them in the comment section below.