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Things To Consider Today

Good Neighborhood And Neighborhood Organizations

I live in a neighborhood that was built during the last five years. There are 340 condominiums and town homes, with two to four units per building. It is not the typical neighborhood with individual homes on their own lots and fences separating neighbors. Despite this, the people here are friendly and get along well with each other.

The residents are primarily people age 50 and older. There are a few younger couples who have children. There are lots of dogs and a few cats too.

We have a good neighborhood organization with an elected board and many volunteers serving on committees. There are regular meetings of the board. We are free to attend these meetings to become informed, ask questions, and offer recommendations. Through the board and the regulations they administer in our behalf, there is order. Everyone knows what the rules are and obeys them. The neighborhood is well maintained. Everyone pays for common services like maintenance of the grounds and buildings.

You would think that in such a neighborhood it would be easy to be strangers and not get to know others. After all there aren’t a lot of children here to pull parents together for mutual activities. There is no talking over the back fence to your neighbor. However, it seems everyone has made the effort to know several of their neighbors. I see people talking with one another on the sidewalks on a regular basis. When they take their dogs for a walk, this provides another opportunity to stop and talk with a neighbor. There are also a few barbecues held each year, which pulls people together for good food and conversations. Yes, I would say there are many good neighbors on my street and in this small neighborhood.

In a way our small neighborhood of 340 residences is like a small community in and of itself. As mentioned above, we have a local board and committees which helps to govern us. We have made friends with one another. In essence we have turned buildings into residences and residences into a neighborhood.

I have gotten to know several of my neighbors on a personal basis. I know about their families, the type of work they do, their religion, and political views. I have their phone numbers and they have mine. We’re willing to share and serve one another. When you leave for a weekend or vacation, merely let a good neighbor know and he or she will pick up your newspaper and water your plants on the porch or patio. It is these types of things that give you a feeling of closeness and unity. You feel like you belong to a group and they are part of your circle of friends.

In this fast-paced world today many people do not know their neighbors. They do not identify with their neighborhood. They’re getting little benefit out of neighbors or their neighborhood. Their residence is merely a place to eat and sleep, watch television and perhaps play video games. They may have a friend visit them who lives outside of the neighborhood. What goes on inside of their personal life and within the walls of their own home is their business. This is all well and good, but why not have some friends who live next door. Why not have a neat and clean, well run neighborhood, with safe streets and people willing to help one another. This external environment is a support system that can supplement what you have within your own home. It will complement what you do in the privacy of your home. Friendly neighbors and a good neighborhood will add another dimension to your life. They will strengthen you if you let them.

I challenge you to get to know your neighbors. Find one or two who have the most in common with you. Become friends who can’t trust one another in various ways. With time make other friends in the neighborhood. Be willing to share and help out. If you do this for your neighbors, they will do this in return. Support and participate in your neighborhood organization and any group activities for you and your neighbors . As you do these things, you’ll began to feel differently about the immediate environment that surrounds your home. You will feel safer and less isolated. You’ll know that help is nearby if you need it. Good families reaching out to other families in their neighborhood is what makes a community a desirable place to live. Help your town, suburb or city become a more desirable place to live by being a good neighbor.

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