Valentine’s Day is all about showing some love.
For most of us, this means reminding our family and friends how much we care about them through cards, little gifts, or treats. While you’re planning your Valentines gifts this year, don’t forget the people you see every day — your neighbors.
The value of good neighbors
A neighborhood is so much more than a group of homes; it’s a community that can have a positive impact on the lives of you and your family members. If you’re lucky, your neighborhood provides friendships, playmates for your kids, and a sense of community and safety.
Cultivating relationships with your neighborhood benefits everyone in plenty of ways. A close-knit neighborhood can provide:
- Friendships. It’s great to have close friends living a short walk away. Getting to know your neighbors when you move in is particularly helpful. If you need recommendations for the best preschools, hair salons, or restaurants, they can be a great resource.
- Playmates. For many families, the neighborhood is where their kids make their first friends. Neighborhood play dates also make it easy to get to know your kids’ friends and parents.
- Safety. Good neighbors look out for each other. They provide extra “eyes and ears” around the neighborhood and notice when things may be amiss. A good way to do this is by using the Streety app, a modern approach to the neighborhood watch that connects neighbors and helps them resolve issues or answer questions.
- Support. The support of your neighbors is invaluable. Good neighbors will band together to help when needed, whether it’s shoveling snow from driveways, collecting mail while you’re out of town, or giving kids a ride to school.
