Introducing yourself to new neighbours

[Snowball2020]

We haven’t quite moved into our new house yet (work going on), but have had the house since end of October. I was hoping on my odd visits I’d catch the new neighbours and wave/quick hi, but unfortunately that hasn’t happened. I’m feeling really anxious about moving (but that’s for another thread).
So tonight I’ve been thinking, would it be strange to pop a little card through the letterbox. A quick intro (e.g. we’re mr and mrs x moving into y)?
Or should I leave the idea, and hope once lockdowns are over, weather is better I’ll probably see them more and get to know them anyway?

I’ve always been used to the idea of knocking with a box of chocolates to say hi (my parents did that when we would move), but with Covid I wouldn’t want to do that anyway.

Sorry for the ramble,

[SentientAndCognisant]

A card is a really thoughtful idea, it’s it not too imposing, sets a nice tone
Don’t wait until spring as they’ll see/hear you come and go

[MoirasRoses]

If I received such a card, I’d think it was really nice & friendly! You could also include that if anyone finds themselves isolating & needs any shopping etc, you’d be happy to help!

I grew up on a street where everyone knew everyone (in a nice way) and my parents and I had lots of friends through it. My parents still live there & it’s still super friendly even with new families moving in etc. My mums straight round with chocolates, a card & an invite to the WhatsApp group to new neighbours 🙈 I’ve since been really disappointed as an adult to find nowhere I’ve lived has had much neighbourly spirit .. on the move again shortly, hoping we might find some neighbours who’ll say hi!

[MrsEricBana]

Definitely do it, that's just right under all the circumstances. If your work could have disturbed them, especially if working from home, you could use the opportunity to tell them that your work is nearly done and when you're planning to move in, you hope to meet them soon etc.
Good luck in your new home!

[Snowball2020]

Thank you for the replies, I will definitely take on board all the brilliant suggestions

[Avacadoandtoast]

Such a lovely idea OP!

[Starfish5]

A card is nice and friendly as it doesn’t impose but sets the tone of polite friendliness for future dealings with them.

[BML123]

@Snowball2020 following this, we are about to move to a development of new barn conversions in a really rural location, so the development of 5 houses will be our only neighbours, hence want to make a good impression and would like some local friends.

I think a card is a good start and then perhaps COVID outstanding some Xmas drinks may be the way forward.

[optimisticpessimist01]

My parents received a bottle of wine when their new neighbours moved in, a pre-apology for the loud house work they were having done. A Christmas card is a nice idea introducing yourselves

[SlippersForFlippers]

With it being close to Christmas a Christmas card wouldn't be out of place.

[Chumleymouse]

If someone stuck a card through our door saying “ hi I’m your new neighbour” I’d think ...............geeks🤓

[AmICrazyorWhat2]

I think a card would be perfect in the current situation. On our street, people used to knock on the door with a homemade cake or dessert-usually after saying “hi” outside already. It might sound a bit much but it was lovely when we moved in and we got to know neighbors really quickly. Some didn’t do that, but several for.

Our new neighbor moved in last week and we’ve had a chat by the garage so we’ve broken the ice. My DD makes amazing apple pies so I’m going to offer him one- if he doesn’t want it, we’ll eat it.🤣

He seems really nice and laid-back so I think we’ll be friendly anyway.

[ktsc89]

I moved the day before the first lockdown (excellent timing...! We had a very lengthy time between exchange and completion and the world changed beyond recognition during that period!).

Because it was all so new and people were more compliant, we felt we couldn't drop off wine for example. However, one of our neighbours sent a moon pig card to us introducing themselves and actually put their phone number on if we were ever in need, which was lovely!

So maybe go for a moonpig card so less interaction as you never know who is isolating.

[Tigerbalmtonic]

@Chumleymouse

If someone stuck a card through our door saying “ hi I’m your new neighbour” I’d think ...............geeks🤓

This is the reason we live in a society where so many people have nothing to do with their neighbours. OP I think you sound lovely and hope you're gifted with fabulous neighbours.

[Sadhoot]

Lovely idea re the card - you could use a Christmas card to come across less geeky, if you're concerned...

[SentientAndCognisant]

If the new neighbour put a periodic table or an excel spreadsheet of bus timetables through my letterbox ..I’d think geek
If they sent me a hi I’ve just moved in introductory card, I’d be delighted

[PaulaSmith1]

Just knock on the door and say hello - you will have to meet them at some time.

Sending a card is just putting things off - send me the chocolates.

[custardbear]

Card a d flowers etc too if they're being hassled or put out in any way with the work going on to just acknowledge them and their patience

[Snowball2020]

Thank you everyone for the replies.
I’m glad it doesn’t sound like an odd idea!

Heehee at the geek comment, I don’t mind if they think I’m a geek

[TicTacTwo]

Our new neighbour did that which was very friendly. Somebody popped the contact details of the WhatsApp group for the street so they could join in.

[Chumleymouse]

@Tigerbalmtonic. I don’t want to know my neighbours, they are just people who happen to live on the same street as me . Most of them are snobs and nosey gits , someone wanted to build a house further up the lane in their garden ( we have big gardens) and they wanted us to go to a residents meeting to get it stopped, when I told them I wasn’t interested if they built a house they got the hump big time ..........

If I could have afforded a house in the middle of a field I would have done but this one is the the nearest I could find 😀
The only good neighbours are no neighbours ( unless you live next to a cemetery )

[AmICrazyorWhat2]

@Chumleymouse. We’re all different! I had another chat over the fence with my new neighbor this evening and we introduced our dogs. Then I introduced DH.🤣

[Dongdingdong]

Personally I think it would have been far better to have done this before you started the work, explained the timescales, apologised in advance for any noise and dust and passed on your number in case of any issues.

[Chumleymouse]

I don’t mind the neighbours dog , he’s not a nosy bastard like the rest of them.🐶

[LondonStone]

We were forced out of our previous wonderful apartment after 6 months of horrendous new neighbours. Not knowing them or ever meeting them definitely exacerbated the situation so we made sure to introduce ourselves in our new house. We just said hi and swapped names (and numbers with one) and dropped off a little plant. It made life so much easier and a few months later, one of them actually commented they were pleased we had done it. I think it’s a great idea but I’m with you, I really wouldn’t mind if someone thought I was a geek!

[littlecontis]

I think a card would be really lovely.