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Original poster

Tips for making friends with new neighbours?

26 replies

TrailingIvy · 12/09/2016 18:00

So, all being well with our mortgage application, we're moving into our first ever house soon. Until now we've been living in a rented flat in a block with mostly students who change every year, so we never really got to know our neighbours that well except for hearing all their parties

New place is a proper house in a completely different area, lived in by lots of families and older couples.

As we've never lived in a place like this before, what should we do when we move in? Knock on doors and introduce ourselves to the neighbours either side? Give out our contact details? Take round home-baked cookies?! What's the done thing?

Would welcome all advice for coming across as nice, friendly, responsible etc and not as "that strange new family at number 42".

OP posts:

takesnoprisoners · 12/09/2016 18:13

We went and introduced ourselves and that what that. Home baked goods? Please be my neighbour

wowfudge · 12/09/2016 18:23

If you see them outside say hello and introduce yourselves. If you don't see them, call round and introduce yourselves.

YelloDraw · 12/09/2016 19:41

Yup just knock and go round "hi, just thought I'd come and introduce myself, I've just moved in next door" :-)

concertplayer · 12/09/2016 21:06

Yeah do above and see what happens. If they are friendly and appear
to want to get to know you invite in for coffee . Keep it short so they
feel they can depart easily.

Original poster

TrailingIvy · 12/09/2016 23:28

Thanks all!

Glad there's no secret compulsory baked goods exchange for me to screw up

OP posts:

BoolaBass · 13/09/2016 01:32

Congrats on the new house. Hope you are happy there and have lovely (quiet) neighbours

AnnaMarlowe · 13/09/2016 01:52

The key things to being a good neighbour:

Being quiet
Keeping your garden tidy
Following the local wheelie bin conventions.

namechangedtoday15 · 13/09/2016 09:31

And be courteous with your parking!

CheeseBadger · 13/09/2016 10:21

We moved in November, and carpet bombed the nearest 12 houses with Christmas cards a week before Christmas. Most sent back retaliation cards, so we started a spreadsheet of names of people in each house. Being able to say something like "Hi Fred" in passing on the street seemed to do the trick.

pimmsy · 13/09/2016 10:42

Could you slip a quick note through everyones doors saying you've just moved in and would love to here there tips about living in the area and do a sort of open house afternoon apéritif?

birdladyfromhomealone · 13/09/2016 11:21

We held a housewarming BBQ and invited every one on the lane bar the house that was on the corner so there post code was in another road. They never forgave us!
I made the mistake thinking as there front door was on another lane they werent our immediate neighbours and they were 8 houses away about 1/4 mile up the road.
It caused ructions for years so dont leave anyone out of your friend making!!

dontrustcharisma · 13/09/2016 12:15

I was invited round for coffee by my new neighbours when I moved in. And in turn I invited my new neighbours round for coffee.

smearedinfood · 13/09/2016 15:12

I sent a letter on behalf of my cat asking people not to feed her as she gets allergies. One of the neighbour's sent a response from their cat - it was hilarious.
Just keep saying "hi" in the street.

bringmeataco · 13/09/2016 21:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

indiana7 · 27/10/2016 23:41

I would love some tips too, we are the only rental house on our road & we have just bought a new house... Our current situation was strange & the mums on this road are particularly bitchy & petty about each other & then kill each other with kindness. I know they "look down" on us as we are currently renting... I feel very guarded & uneasy with them as I know well they are bitching about me too even though I always try to be pleasent & freindly, I also want to keep my distance if that makes sense
I can't wait to move to the new house now, any more tips about how to be a good neighbour like op asked. I just want to be civil & give them nothing to say about me if that makes sense & friendly too obviously!!!

GiddyOnZackHunt · 27/10/2016 23:49

indiana We had a removal van parked awkwardly so we popped a note through doors apologising for the inconvenience and signed it 'Fred & Wilma @ no 15' so everyone knew who we were. Then followed it up with Christmas cards. Everyone either stopped us to say Hi and/or sent cards.

indiana7 · 27/10/2016 23:55

Thanks Giddy, that's such a lovely tip, wish you were my neighbour! going to add being mindful & considerate on my list!

BerylStreep · 27/10/2016 23:58

Say nothing and just smile pleasantly when you are out and about. Perhaps say hello in about a year's time.

Normandy144 · 28/10/2016 00:11

Most of our neighbours introduced themselves as we didn't move in immediately so they would pop over on a weekend when we were decorating. We held an open house about 2 months after moving in so we could get to know people.

GiddyOnZackHunt · 28/10/2016 00:19

Good luck with your move!

MrsSiba · 28/10/2016 00:29

Good luck with your move!

A nice smile when you see neighbours and I would knock on immediate next door neighbours to introduce yourself. Pretty soon you will recognise people in the street and they you. Sending xmas cards is a good idea too although we tried this. ....our next door neighbour but one still calls my DH a random name and I have all manner of different spellings of my name which is admittedly unusual!

fabulousathome · 28/10/2016 17:45

If you are planning any noisy works you could apologise to your new neighbours in advance and give an estimate of how long the noise will continue.

Good luck with the move.

annabanana23 · 28/10/2016 18:52

If it's like my small village someone will probably know all about you anyway!!!

JoJoSM2 · 29/10/2016 00:30

Some of our neighbours turned up with cards and gifts as soon as we moved it ;) Once we've unpacked, we invited everyone for mince pies and mulled wine - it was really lovely.

tropicalfish · 29/10/2016 21:12

dont get a yappy dog and put it in the garden and ignore it( one side) and dont get a nasty aggressive dog (other neighbour) which hurls itself aggressively against fence when your neighbour is doing their gardening.

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