subject: Apartments: How To Be A Good Neighbor [print this page] Living in apartments has traditionally been linked to isolated, lonely lives. Eschewing tiresome yard work is always a plus in anyone's books, but living independently doesn't mean living completely apart from your fellow apartment residents. Establishing a good relationship with your neighbors can go a long way to building a safer, more close-knit community.
The idea of doing unto others as you would have done unto you is especially relevant when it comes to living in apartments. Would you like it if your neighbors the type to play loud music late at night or have knockdown, drag out arguments on a Sunday? If not, then obviously you should be considerate about keeping the peace as well. Being peaceable, however, is different from being a pushover. Don't hesitate to inform a resident (politely) if they're making a nuisance of themselves. Most of the time, people are genuinely unaware that their actions are bothering others. By the same token, you might want to stop rattling your cookware whenever you're agitated.
Being friendly helps to break down barriers and soften the often harsh demeanor of city life. Housewarming gifts are a good way of welcoming to new neighbors to the "neighborhood". Just remember to keep things light; you wouldn't want to hear a blow-by-blow account of a neighbor's horrendous blind date, so refrain from sharing too much information about your own day. Also, the rules that apply to meeting strangers on the street are relevant here too. So, don't allow a completely new neighbor into your apartment, nor should you enter theirs.
Greeting your neighbor every time you see them isn't the be all and end all of being a good apartment resident, although that certainly helps. As apartments can be a smaller version of society, you would not be remiss in lending a helping hand, without being patronizing, to anyone who needs it. This is especially true when there are physically-disabled or elderly residents in your building who could do with some assistance.
