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How to Welcome New Neighbors in 5 Steps

Monday, August 14, 2023
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It’s exciting when someone new moves into the neighborhood. Raise your hand if you’ve ever peered through the curtains to assess the newcomers and their belongings!

Curiosity about the new neighbors is natural. But why not go a step further? Extending a welcome can help newcomers settle in and feel comfortable in their new surroundings.  

Make a positive impression on your new neighbors with these five simple steps to welcome new neighbors, from introducing yourself with a warm smile to organizing a neighborhood gathering. Learn how to create a friendly atmosphere and foster meaningful connections that can turn a residential area into a tightly-knit neighborhood. Start building your strong community today!

Woman offering a plate of cookies to the new neighbor

1.Present Yourself to Welcome New Neighbors

Give your new neighbors two or three days to find their bearings after moving in. Then knock on their door and introduce yourself. Welcome them to the neighborhood and exchange contact details. If they invite you in, keep the visit short. 

The next time you meet them, greet them by their name. In case you can’t remember the name, be open about it and ask them to repeat it, at the same time repeat your name (they might have forgotten too).

If you hesitate about calling on someone unannounced, write a welcome note with your name and phone number to welcome the neighbors. That might be enough to open the communication lines. 

2.Welcome Gift for A New Neighbor 

When you introduce yourself, it’s all right to go empty-handed, with just a smile. If you want to stick to tradition, bring a treat. 

A welcome gift for a new neighbor should be something homemade and inexpensive. A side dish you made, a plate of cookies you baked, a bouquet from your garden, a pot plant, or a stack of local take-out menus are all excellent ideas. 

Since many people have food allergies, include a list of ingredients with your homemade delicacy.

Wrap your gift prettily. It will make it even more desirable because you invested some thought and time.

3.Ask Whether the Neighbors Need Help

Offering a helping hand is a great way to welcome a new neighbor. In the chaos of unpacking, they may not know where what is. They will probably appreciate your offer to bring some household items they need or to walk their dog.

Those little acts of kindness are excellent ways to lay grounds for a good neighborly relationship. 

4.Share Local Knowledge to Welcome the Neighbors

As a long-time resident, you possess valuable knowledge about the neighborhood. You know the best local restaurants, parks, and places of interest. Share this information with your new neighbors. Tell them about where they can hike, walk their dog, or go for a cup of coffee. Even better, offer to take them to some places that interest them.

Your new neighbors may be looking to join local groups and organizations. Provide information about local libraries, community centers, and other facilities. Also, let them know about neighborhood associations, clubs, or groups they can join to meet like-minded people and participate in community activities.

Your insights will help the new neighbors settle in and feel at home. The information you provide is a welcome gift that’s as good as a physical present.

A neighborhood gathering to welcome new neighbors

5.Ideas for Neighborhood Gathering

A week or two after the newcomers have moved into your community, you may start thinking about a party or simple neighborhood gathering. A neighborhood gathering is the best way to welcome new neighbors and introduce them to the rest of the community. Such events allow the neighbors to socialize, forge new connections, and make the newcomers feel like a part of the community. 

Here are some ideas for a neighborhood gathering: 

  • Have a backyard barbecue party with both meat and vegetable options. 
  • Throw a cocktail party and offer a mix of beverages, including non-alcoholic ones. And remember that finger foods go with cocktails like champagne bubbles go with celebrations.
  • Host a dinner party at your home. If you enjoy cooking and sharing your specialties, impress the new neighbors and introduce them to a few other community members.
  • A block party is one of the best ways to strengthen community bonds. However, even a simple block party is a big event and usually requires a team effort. 

Those are all great ideas for neighborhood gatherings for people to get to know each other and have a good time in a casual environment. Encourage everyone to participate. 

When You Are the New Neighbor

When you move to a new neighborhood, don’t hesitate to open your door to an unexpected visitor. It’s probably your first-door neighbor who came to say hello and welcome.

It doesn’t matter who makes the first contact. Take the initiative. When you see a neighbor, take a moment to smile and introduce yourself. Also, don’t shy away from knocking on a few doors. 

Meeting and greeting are the basis of good manners. Getting to know the people around you and fostering a good relationship with them is part and parcel of moving to a new place.

Whether you want to welcome new neighbors or find yourself in a new neighborhood, always be sensitive to personal boundaries. Some people might not have much in common with you. Some might be very private. Remain polite, but respect their privacy. 

A group of friends relaxing and laughing as they welcome new neighbors to their community

Move to Your New Neighborhood With Shyft

Finding the perfect moving company can involve a lot of effort. The movers you short-listed after hours of researching and reading online reviews may require a home visit to assess your belongings and provide you with a moving quote.

But there’s a way to save time and avoid the hassle. Shyft’s online marketplace connects you with movers effortlessly by automating the end-to-end moving process. With its vast network of vetted professional movers, Shyft can offer the relocation service you need, from local DIY moves to long-distance full-service movers. 

What sets Shyft apart is that the moving quotes you receive are competitive and binding, providing you with peace of mind. The entire process of compiling your inventory and obtaining moving quotes is conducted digitally, without any movers physically visiting your residence.

After you select a mover that suits you best, Shyft remains involved in the entire relocation process, making sure that your belongings are safe and that you can always get answers to any question. It’s no wonder that customers appreciate Shyft for their fixed-priced estimates, service-minded relocation process, and 24/7 support.

Shyft understands that people over 50 who plan to move may have special needs and concerns. AARP® Moving Services powered by Shyft ensures they get a stress-free and seamless moving experience.

To make this even more enticing, AARP members are eligible for an exclusive discount of up to $250! So, if you are an AARP member, look no further. AARP Moving Services powered by Shyft is an ideal choice for anyone seeking a convenient and cost-effective moving solution.

How to Book Your Move With Shyft

Say goodbye to the in-person home visits to assess your belongings destined for relocation. The innovative and highly accurate ShyftNext app allows a Shyft representative to take stock of your belongings without stepping foot in your home. How? Through a quick and convenient video call

The first step in your hassle-free moving experience is downloading the Shyft Next app for your iPhone or Android device. Then fill in a short form online or call 1-888-501-3181 to schedule your video call. 

You will be assigned a dedicated Move Coach who will organize your entire moving journey and be your main point of contact.

Your Move Coach will video call at the agreed-upon time. You will walk around your home and show the items you want to move with your device's camera. The Shyft App will create an inventory list, and your knowledgeable Move Coach will inform you about your options and associated costs. Ask any questions you may have. The blog post entitled What Questions to Ask a Moving Company can inspire in that respect. You may also get Shyft’s moving checklist to ensure you don’t forget anything and to keep things organized.

You will receive your inventory list about 30 minutes after the video call. This list details the belongings you want to relocate and the services you requested, for example, packing supplies or furniture disassembly and assembly. 

The inventory list created with the ShyftNext app is typically 95% accurate. Go through it carefully and make any changes you deem necessary. Add or remove specific items or services until you are 100% satisfied.

The approved inventory list goes to the secure Shyft bidding platform. Hundreds of verified professional moving companies in Shyft’s network now have a chance to bid for your moving project by offering their best pricing. This approach ensures you get the most competitive prices available.

Your Move Coach will curate three or more top quotes based on the bids received. When you accept a quote, it becomes binding. The price is fixed and cannot change, provided you book the move before the quote expiration date and make no alterations to the details.

Your dedicated Move Coach will oversee every step of your relocation, from start to finish. Whichever company you choose to handle your move, Shyft ensures the same high standards and is available 24/7, including weekends. If you have questions or need assistance, a team of experts who excel at what they do are there to help you.

When you book your move, remember to mention that you are an AARP member and claim a discount of up to $250.

Get Free Moving Quotes