NKOTB. Or simply, the New Kids. No, I don't mean the 90s boy band. I'm talking about being the actual new kid on the block.
If you haven't been a new kid at school, you certainly know one. Or remember one. When I was in elementary school, Tiffany moved to my neighborhood. She had come from somewhere exotic, like Phoenix. She was blonde and worldly and super cool. I still remember when she moved in...40 years later. Yep, new kids make an impact.
I never had to move as a kid. But, I've made my own kids move A LOT. They are pros at coming into a new school and getting comfortable. Luckily, kids are resilient.
It's a lot tougher for adults. Really. We're old and stuck in the mud. We don't want to change, nor do we want to "put ourselves out there" over and over again. But, we do because life is a lot more enjoyable with a posse of folks you care about.
So what does this have to do with you? You're not new and aren't moving any time soon; you love your community; and you have an great group of friends. Because YOU, my townie-loving friends, are unofficial ambassadors for your community.
Yes, how you respond to the new neighbor down the street will directly effect how that person feels about their community. How do I know? Because as an adult I've moved 7 times, and trust me, some communities do a lot better welcoming new residents than others.
When I lived in Nashville, the ongoing message to outsiders was you can visit, but please don't move here (don't want to turn into...Atlanta, God forbid). I've experienced that to some degree here in Ann Arbor, too. When a city gets a good reputation, folks want to move there.
In my experience, the South knows how to welcome new neighbors better than any where else in the country (don't call it Southern Hospitality for nothing). We received plates of cookies, brownies, and even a pie when we moved to Virginia, Arkansas, and Tennessee. And you know what, we ate them and felt at peace with our decision to move there.
Now, I'm not saying that you need to bake a pie to make new neighbors feel welcome. But you should do something. Here are some ideas:
1. Introduce yourself. It sounds easy....and it is. When you are walking your dog around the block and you see the new person in their yard, stop and introduce yourself. And when you see that person the next day, wave. And a week later when you see that person at their mailbox, ask how they're settling in.
2. Leave a note. So, you and your new neighbor are on opposite schedules and you never see them, guess you can't welcome them. Wrong. Get a notecard or piece of paper and write a note. Can be as simple as: "Hi, I just wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood and look forward to meeting you soon. In the meantime, feel free to call me if you have any questions about the community." Sign your name and include your contact information.
3. Host a get together. If you have met the new neighbor, make it your duty to introduce him to other neighbors. Do this by hosting a get together at your house (coffee, happy hour, dessert...keep it simple) or organize a get together at a local restaurant.
4. Invite your neighbor to dinner or lunch or drinks. Once you've met, the next step is to get to know them better. Invite them to dinner.
5. Bring them cookies. Remember when I said you don't have to bring your neighbors cookies, I lied. Everyone loves cookies. Make them and bring them over, along with a note that contains your contact information. Your new neighbor (or at least your kids) will appreciate it!
If you haven't been a new kid at school, you certainly know one. Or remember one. When I was in elementary school, Tiffany moved to my neighborhood. She had come from somewhere exotic, like Phoenix. She was blonde and worldly and super cool. I still remember when she moved in...40 years later. Yep, new kids make an impact.
I never had to move as a kid. But, I've made my own kids move A LOT. They are pros at coming into a new school and getting comfortable. Luckily, kids are resilient.
It's a lot tougher for adults. Really. We're old and stuck in the mud. We don't want to change, nor do we want to "put ourselves out there" over and over again. But, we do because life is a lot more enjoyable with a posse of folks you care about.
So what does this have to do with you? You're not new and aren't moving any time soon; you love your community; and you have an great group of friends. Because YOU, my townie-loving friends, are unofficial ambassadors for your community.
Yes, how you respond to the new neighbor down the street will directly effect how that person feels about their community. How do I know? Because as an adult I've moved 7 times, and trust me, some communities do a lot better welcoming new residents than others.
When I lived in Nashville, the ongoing message to outsiders was you can visit, but please don't move here (don't want to turn into...Atlanta, God forbid). I've experienced that to some degree here in Ann Arbor, too. When a city gets a good reputation, folks want to move there.
In my experience, the South knows how to welcome new neighbors better than any where else in the country (don't call it Southern Hospitality for nothing). We received plates of cookies, brownies, and even a pie when we moved to Virginia, Arkansas, and Tennessee. And you know what, we ate them and felt at peace with our decision to move there.
Now, I'm not saying that you need to bake a pie to make new neighbors feel welcome. But you should do something. Here are some ideas:
1. Introduce yourself. It sounds easy....and it is. When you are walking your dog around the block and you see the new person in their yard, stop and introduce yourself. And when you see that person the next day, wave. And a week later when you see that person at their mailbox, ask how they're settling in.
2. Leave a note. So, you and your new neighbor are on opposite schedules and you never see them, guess you can't welcome them. Wrong. Get a notecard or piece of paper and write a note. Can be as simple as: "Hi, I just wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood and look forward to meeting you soon. In the meantime, feel free to call me if you have any questions about the community." Sign your name and include your contact information.
3. Host a get together. If you have met the new neighbor, make it your duty to introduce him to other neighbors. Do this by hosting a get together at your house (coffee, happy hour, dessert...keep it simple) or organize a get together at a local restaurant.
4. Invite your neighbor to dinner or lunch or drinks. Once you've met, the next step is to get to know them better. Invite them to dinner.
5. Bring them cookies. Remember when I said you don't have to bring your neighbors cookies, I lied. Everyone loves cookies. Make them and bring them over, along with a note that contains your contact information. Your new neighbor (or at least your kids) will appreciate it!
Final word: Take a chance on the new kid! A little kindness really does go a long way. And, you never know, that NKOTB may become your new BFF!
Note: This first appeared on my real estate blog, "Sarah Sell My House."
Note: This first appeared on my real estate blog, "Sarah Sell My House."
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