It has been said that a good neighbor is a great blessing as much as a bad neighbor is a misfortune.

While we rarely give them much thought upon moving into a new neighborhood such as in a community in Cavite, the people we live in close proximity with will play a pivotal role in our quality of life. That said, we should never overlook the kind of neighbors we would potentially have in our endeavor of searching for an ideal community—whether that may be an affordable house and lot for sale in Cavite or elsewhere.

However, keep in mind that the onus of being a good neighbor is not exclusive to the people who live close to you. After all, to live in a great neighborhood and enjoy all the comforts that come with being part of a warm and welcoming community, you need to be a good neighbor yourself.

So, what does it mean to be a good neighbor? How do you determine if you have them? And more importantly, are you one?

With government-mandated lockdowns encouraging everyone to stay at home as much as possible, most of us may have gotten the time to take a closer look at our nearby residents. As a result, some of us may have gotten the chance to get to know them better and may have a faint idea of what kind of neighbors they are.

If you are still on the fence on whether you have good neighbors (or if you are one yourself), below is a list of things good neighbors do to cultivate a positive relationship with other residents.

Trust us, it requires more than just baking you a fresh batch of cookies upon moving in—but it is a good start.

Things that good neighbors do

1) Share important information

Good neighbors welcome you with pastries upon move-in, but great neighbors provide you with a checklist of need-to-know information. This checklist contains all the information you will ever need should you need a handyman, a great housekeeper, dog walker, gardener, and the like.

Similarly, it contains suggestions on the best restaurants, grocery stores, and pharmacies nearby.

2) Mind their noise levels

One of the worst neighbors you can have are loud ones that have zero regard for the people living in proximity to them. A good neighbor would tone down the noise level by the time the clock strikes 9-10 in the evening.

If they are planning to host an event or soiree at home, they would notify their surrounding neighbors about it and give them a means of contacting them should they have a complaint about the noise.

That said, good neighbors would always endeavor to keep the noise levels down. Being a loud and boisterous neighbor is a bad precedent of neighborly actions.

3) Maintain the curb appeal

While much of what your neighbors do to their front yards is up to them, a good neighbor endeavors to keep it well-maintained. By keeping front yards and gardens clean, organized, and nicely tended, a good neighbor can definitely score some curb appeal points—something that could potentially affect overall property values in the neighborhood.

An ugly home in a community stands out like a sore thumb. As a result, it can reduce property values. That said, good neighbors should keep their front yards and gardens devoid of clutter and junk, attempt to repaint peeling paint, and clean overflowing gutters.

4) Introduce themselves

Good neighbors do not have to be your best friends, but they would introduce themselves to you upon moving in. After all, learning each other’s names is the first step towards cultivating a relationship.

Plus, it is a good sign of letting you know that you can count on them should you need anything concerning the community or neighborhood.

5) Refrain from town gossip

An integral part of being a good neighbor is avoiding gossip—no matter how juicy you think it may be. Keep in mind that there is a marked difference between good gossip and bad gossip, however. An example of good gossip is communicating news to other neighbors so that the community can help an affected neighbor as a means of solidarity.

Bad gossip generally focuses on generating a buzz of negativity. Typically, bad town gossip communicates a neighbor’s misfortune or spreads unfounded rumors.

6) Abide by community rules

As a part of the neighborhood, you and your neighbors are expected to abide and comply with the community rules. That said, it is your responsibility to furnish yourself with a copy of the community or association rules and orient yourself to them.

These rules include everything from parking restrictions, trash collection and recycling schedules, move-in procedures, landscaping requirements, and the like. Breaking the rules results in fines and can also rub your neighbors the wrong way.

Like a good neighbor, you should police yourself regularly if you wish to avoid conflict. Similarly, you should check to see if you are following local ordinances.

7) Handle conflict judiciously

Good neighbors are generally amiable, but great neighbors should know how to handle disagreements, quibbles, or conflicts with tact. If any neighborhood issues arise, a great neighbor’s first line of defense should be to settle and resolve a problem with the person directly.

They do this face-to-face—not over text messages or email where the message’s intent can easily be misconstrued and may result in an even bigger dispute. If you take issue with any of your neighbor’s actions, broach the subject delicately. Approach them, be courteous and work towards a solution together.

If you cannot reach a resolution one-on-one, contact your homeowners’ association. A little caveat, though: Calling the association on your neighbor can quickly sour whatever relationship you and your neighbor may have.

8) Invite neighbors over when the pandemic is over

If you have recently moved in, you can get to know your neighbors by throwing a housewarming party, but of course, this is discouraged while the pandemic is still ongoing. Sure, you may opt to invite only family and friends, but if you want to foster a good relationship and build rapport with your neighbors, you need to consider inviting them.

To ensure that your neighbors attend, let them know that this is simply a social event where the goal is to get to know them. In this way, they would not feel pressured to bring you a gift.

Once you have established a relationship with them, you can form a neighborhood lunch club or book club to deepen your friendships.

9) Attend neighborhood meetings and events

A good neighbor attends neighborhood meetings and events. If you wish to be a good neighbor, you need to get involved with your neighborhood as well.

You do not need to make this a full-time side project, but attending meetings and events is an excellent way to keep yourself on top of neighborhood and community developments. It is also a way to know if there are any new rules or volunteer works available.

10) Give warm greetings whenever possible

Saying hello is a straightforward and easy way to make someone else’s day. Plus, it costs nothing to be nice. While a good neighbor is not under any obligation to initiate social interaction, they do so because it is a way to be cordial without delving deeply into a relationship.

While you do not necessarily have to say hi to everyone you come across the street, it helps you earn the benefits of a tight-knit community. More importantly, it enables you to establish a friendly presence that would give your neighbors the impression that you are approachable.

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