Modern communities are often fragmented. People are far less likely to fraternize with their neighbors these days. We spend more time chatting with online friends than getting to know our neighbors, which is a huge mistake.
Research in the UK found that 73% of people don’t know their neighbor’s names. The situation is not that dissimilar in the US; Pew surveys show that fewer people engage with their neighbors as each year passes.
If you don’t have a clue who lives next door or in the same street, you should probably make more of an effort. We can all benefit from getting to know our neighbors. And even if we don’t feel like being overly friendly, it’s still good to know who lives nearby. Otherwise, you could end up living next to a convicted felon and be none the wiser.
A Friend in Need
Everyone needs friends, but if your friends live in another city or state, it’s hardly convenient when you need help. After all, it’s not like they can dash over in a few minutes to move a spider from the tub!
Make an effort to get to know your neighbors. They might turn out to be really nice people, and in time, you could become good friends. Friends that live in the same street are always there for you, which is handy if you run out of sugar or the car has a flat battery.
Home Security
Home security is a big issue for many homeowners. Yet an intruder alarm only goes so far in preventing thieves from targeting your property.
Vigilant neighbors are an excellent first line of defense. If you have a good relationship with your neighbors, you can ask them to keep an eye on your house when you are not there. For example, if you go on vacation, ask the next-door neighbor to pick up the mail and turn lights on and off, so it looks as if someone is at home.
Make Sure Your Kids are Safe
If you have no idea who’s living in your neighborhood, how can you relax when your kids are playing outside?
To keep your children safe, carry out a quick search on the US FBI State Sex Offender Registry. Hopefully, none of your neighbors are listed on there.
Personal Safety
Even if you don’t have any sex offenders living next door, your neighbors could still be violent felons. Check them out on Nuwber.com. Enter your own address and find out the names of the people living nearby. If these people have a police record, it will tell you.
Crime
Following on from the last point, it’s good to know if you have criminals in your street. Whilst these people may well have served their time and be reformed individuals, it’s better to be aware of their background. That way, you can take appropriate precautions, such as not accepting financial advice from a fraudster or buying a used truck from someone convicted of grand theft auto.
Make an effort to get to know your neighbors when you move into the neighborhood. Pop over with a pie and introduce yourself. They could be elderly, lonely, or just nice people. And if something feels a little “off” about them, check up on them to reassure yourself they are not ax murderers.
