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Friends & Neighbors Archives - Fath Properties Blog Fri, 03 Jan 2025 15:34:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.1 Dont Be Them. Noise Edition. https://www.fathproperties.com/blog/2025/01/01/donamp8217t-be-them-noise-edition/ https://www.fathproperties.com/blog/2025/01/01/donamp8217t-be-them-noise-edition/#respond Wed, 01 Jan 2025 16:09:00 +0000 https://www.fathproperties.com/blog/2025/01/01/dont-be-them-noise-edition/ Don’t Be Them. Noise Edition.   As an apartment dweller, you share at least one wall with another resident. And you probably hear your neighbor from time to time. It’s to be expected. Have you ever seen the video Everyone’s Upstairs Neighbor? Back when it was created, The Washington Post wrote:             Chances are what’s…

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Don’t Be Them. Noise Edition.

 

As an apartment dweller, you share at least one wall with another resident. And you probably hear your neighbor from time to time. It’s to be expected. Have you ever seen the video Everyone’s Upstairs Neighbor? Back when it was created, The Washington Post wrote:

            Chances are what’s causing the movements of humans above you to sound like a giant’s conga line is a thin or poorly-insulated ceiling. But when the thumping begins at all the wrong times, you know you can’t help but wonder: are they doing that on purpose?

The experience is universal enough that when comedy writer Matt Moskovciak pretended the answer was yes, it’s on purpose, he created the most successful online video of his career.

Of course, the video is hilariously exaggerated, but it does make one wonder: “Is that how I sound to my neighbors?” Yikes.

Keeping that in mind, strive to be the neighbor you wish you would always have.  

  • Offer a smile and a wave to your neighbors when you see them.
  • Step outside your apartment and listen to the volume of your music, TV, gaming, etc. If you can hear it, bet your neighbors can, too. Consider using headphones after 10:00 PM and before 9:00 AM if you like to pump up the volume.
  • Planning to throw a party? Let your neighbors know what to expect and for how long – and perhaps extend them an invitation to join in the fun.

These simple steps can go a long way toward shared enjoyment of life in your apartment building and apartment community.

On the other hand, what can you do if it’s your neighbors making too much noise and commotion on their side of the wall? The simplest (though not always easiest) solution is to knock on their door and ask them to keep down any noise that they can control (electronics, a barking dog, etc.). You can explain you need your sleep, that you’re working from home, etc. A heart-to-heart with your neighbor will always be better received than getting management involved. But if you are faint of heart, another option is to contact your management company and ask them to issue a general email to all residents about noise. This keeps you (or your neighbor) from being singled out, but ideally will get the message across. If that fails, you can have your management company contact your neighbor directly, without implicating you. A good set of earplugs and a white noise machine or app on your phone can also work wonders.

Be a great neighbor and get one in return. Without the bowling balls.

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How To Host A Potluck https://www.fathproperties.com/blog/2024/11/16/how-to-host-a-potluck/ https://www.fathproperties.com/blog/2024/11/16/how-to-host-a-potluck/#respond Sat, 16 Nov 2024 14:50:00 +0000 https://www.fathproperties.com/blog/2024/11/16/how-to-host-a-potluck/   A few years back, my boyfriend introduced me to his tiny, lodge-y, weekend getaway at a rural community on a lake. During my first visit, we attended a spur-of-the-moment get-together with some of his neighbors. It was a surprising night for me in two ways. First of all, everyone treated me like they’d known…

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A few years back, my boyfriend introduced me to his tiny, lodge-y, weekend getaway at a rural community on a lake. During my first visit, we attended a spur-of-the-moment get-together with some of his neighbors. It was a surprising night for me in two ways. First of all, everyone treated me like they’d known me forever. As a gal with definite introvert tendencies, this was most welcome and a great “note-to-self” for my own future hosting. Secondly, everyone brought their own drinks and a snack to share. Brilliant! Essentially, all the host had to provide was ice and toilet paper. Talk about stress-free entertaining! Piggybacking off this experience, here’s our complete guide on how to host a potluck.

Why Host a Potluck?
Whether you’re new to the neighborhood or a veteran resident, a successful potluck party can help create and solidify friendships and make you feel right at home in your apartment community. It’s a fun way to make memories and create long-lasting friendships. It’s a great way to host without breaking the bank, and it’s a no-brainer because people like to eat. And hosting a potluck will create a foundation to build upon to eventually host gatherings where you provide everything…and do all the work.

Getting Started
Invite some people: your besties, relatives, coworkers, apartment neighbors – mix and match! Decide how many people your home/dining table can comfortably accommodate and plan your guest list accordingly. Consider how many place settings you have – plates and silverware. Do you have serving spoons? If not, be sure your guests know to bring one for their dish. How much guest parking is available near your apartment? Don’t forget to let your guest know where they should park. If your apartment community is gated, let your visitors know how to get in so there’s no awkwardness upon arrival.

Planning any kind of get-together can be daunting. How much food should there be? What drinks should be served, and how many will be needed? A potluck solves these problems. If everyone brings food to share there will be plenty. When they also bring their own drinks, you have no decisions to make about quantities or types of refreshments to have on hand. Do make sure you have plenty of ice and glassware.

Hosting a potluck that satisfies all appetites is easier if you create a theme. This will help make your meal complete and cohesive. Just make sure your guests advise you what they plan to bring so you can make sure there aren’t duplicates and that all portions of the meal are covered. Here are some creative potluck theme ideas to choose from for your next apartment gathering.

Apartment Potluck Themes

RESTAURANT COPYCAT

Have your guests pick a dish from their favorite restaurant in town to recreate. Who knows what you’ll end up with? Pasta, empanadas, cupcakes, tacos. So many possibilities. It’s a great theme if your guests are foodies as their contributions will assure a variety of interesting dishes that will spark conversation about the best restaurants and best foods in your area.

TEX-MEX

Who doesn’t like Tex-Mex? With simple recipes and affordable ingredients, you can’t go wrong with a Tex-Mex potluck theme. Mexican-American dishes are delicious, filling, and difficult to botch – even for the novice chef. Opt for a Tex-Mex Night and make sure that everyone brings a different dish so you don’t end up with six jars of salsa and bags of chips.

COMFORT FOODS

Everyone has a dish that reminds them of home. My mom used to make a dish she called Surprise Packages. She’d make foil pouches filled with sliced potatoes, a hamburger patty, a slice of onion, sliced carrots and peas. They were awful, but my siblings and I never tire of teasing her about them, and my father loved them. Maybe your friends have better offerings like their mom’s chili, dad’s Sunday gravy, Thanksgiving’s sweet potato casserole, or a family recipe that’s been passed down for generations. Ask your potluck guests to bring a family favorite and prepare to enjoy a wide range of heartwarming foods along with a night of nostalgic memories!

SOMETHING YELLOW

Theme your potluck with this cheery color and be prepared for a night of mac and cheese, coconut curry with mango, buffalo chicken dip, and cornbread. Once you open your mind to seemingly random themes, the possibilities are endless. Colors, letters, and numbers are all great places to start. Be relatively lax about the “rules” and see what creativity your guests bring to the table. What might seem odd in the beginning could end up being your favorite potluck theme in the end.

FARMERS MARKET FAVES

If you’re looking for a way to make your potluck dishes more cohesive but don’t want to limit your guests to a specific cuisine, consider a theme involving where they shop for their ingredients. A farmer’s market theme is also an excellent way to support local businesses like Findlay Market in Cincinnati, Yankee Street Market in South Dayton, or Dallas Farmer’s Market. With dishes centered around in-season ingredients you’ll end up with similarities throughout your dinner spread — and high-quality ingredients, too!

THE VEGGIE

Have your meat-loving friends step outside of their comfort zones. Challenge everyone to add some type of vegetable to their dish — including the desert! A veggie tray would be a no-brainer, but there are many veggie dishes that are so hearty, no one will miss the meat. Like Alison Roman’s Spiced Chickpea Stew which went viral >> #thestew. And who doesn’t like carrot cake or banana bread? The options are endless and delicious for a plant-based potluck theme.

HOME STATE ORIGINALS

A classic potluck theme, friends bring an iconic home state dish. In Kentucky, that could be a Kentucky Derby favorite, burgoo. How about a recreation of Cincinnati’s Skyline Chili? Dayton-style square-cut pizza is a fun option, or how about one of these seven classic dishes famous in Dallas? Not only does this potluck theme have the potential to be delicious, but it can also spark some great conversation between guests about their home states.

SALAD BAR

A wonderful theme for spring and summer months, a salad bar is easy, fresh, and tasty. There’s always plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables available in season, but don’t forget about other warm-weather staples like pasta or potato salad! A salad bar theme is perfect for a light, refreshing dinner that will require no reheating.

CASSEROLE CREATIONS

Casseroles are great for cooler months. Hot, comforting casseroles are what everyone craves during the fall and winter. And they tend to be easy to make. How about a gooey mac and cheese or a tater-tot casserole? For dessert, think apple crisp and/or blueberry cobbler.

COOKOFF

Another fun idea is to have everyone bring the same dish and see who makes it best. Think: a chili cookoff, taco night, or a chocolate chip cookie bakeoff.

So, make a guest list, send out invitations, dust and vacuum, stock up on toilet paper, set the table, and let the potluck party begin! If you and your guests have as much fun as I think you will have, consider a monthly rotation from one person’s home to another. Eat and drink your way to closer friends and better neighbors.

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How To Host Thanksgiving In Your Apartment https://www.fathproperties.com/blog/2024/10/12/how-to-host-thanksgiving-in-your-apartment/ https://www.fathproperties.com/blog/2024/10/12/how-to-host-thanksgiving-in-your-apartment/#respond Sat, 12 Oct 2024 12:59:00 +0000 https://www.fathproperties.com/blog/?p=149   How To Host Thanksgiving In Your Apartment   The season of turkey, pumpkin pie, football, friends, family, and food baby is just around the corner. If you have more than a couple of folks to celebrate with, but not a lot of space to celebrate in, we’re here to help. Hosting Thanksgiving in your…

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How To Host Thanksgiving In Your Apartment

 

The season of turkey, pumpkin pie, football, friends, family, and food baby is just around the corner. If you have more than a couple of folks to celebrate with, but not a lot of space to celebrate in, we’re here to help. Hosting Thanksgiving in your apartment will take a bit of ingenuity and careful planning, but it’s certainly doable. Whether it’s Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving, you can keep your event from becoming a stress fest or a hot mess with good advance planning. Preparing a strategy ahead of time will allow you to relax when the big day arrives. This How-To host Thanksgiving in your apartment guide will help you optimize seating, refrigerator storage, and more.

 

Be creative about counter space and storage

In an apartment typically without an abundance of counter space, you’ll have to make every square foot of empty surface space count. One trick is to “recruit” some of your furniture for meal prep. Seriously! You can use your dining table and chairs, coffee table and the like as surfaces for cooling pots, pies,  and other desserts.

 

When it’s time to eat, you can set up the food buffet-style in the kitchen or on a piece of furniture away from where you’ll be dining to save space on the table. If that’s not possible, try using cake stands to elevate some dishes on a crowded table, which will make room for other serve ware underneath.

 

Equip your fridge

Thoroughly clean your refrigerator before you begin cooking and storing. Throw out any expired food and anything you know you’ll never eat, drink, or use again. Ideally, your fridge will be almost empty as you begin to prep your food. This allows for plenty of room to store everything ahead of time. Plus, one of the perks of hosting means you’ll have leftovers to keep. When it comes to packing your fridge and freezer, don’t forget that you can probably adjust the shelves to make them more efficient. Shift them around to free up space to stack storage containers. Another creative storage solution is to store items in plastic zipper bags. They’re malleable and easy to stack up in a fridge while taking up little space, making them a great way to store things like cranberry sauce, make-ahead gravy, dinner rolls, and pre-prepped veggies.

 

Prepare food in advance

Allowing yourself plenty of time to prepare is essential when storage and counter space are tight, not to mention when you’re working with only a few kitchen appliances. Start prepping your Thanksgiving menus a full week in advance. A practical solution for making a Thanksgiving meal is to make as much as you can ahead. Figure out what can be put together the day before, and what needs to be made the day of. You can make the pies, gravy, stuffing, and mashed potatoes ahead. Sauces and baked goods can be made the furthest in advance, with most pies and cakes having a shelf life of three to four days. Some sides can be made up to two days out, such as mashed potatoes and make-ahead stuffing.

 

Then, on Thanksgiving Day, all you need to do is roast the turkey and make the veggies. More prep work in advance means less work and less stress on Thanksgiving Day. This will also minimize bodies in the kitchen, which helps keep your kitchen from feeling cramped and hectic.

 

Expand your dining table

Fitting all your guests at a table in your apartment can be tricky as most apartment dining rooms are sized for four people. Try putting several small tables together to create one long one. If possible, make sure they are all the same height and width. Then toss a tablecloth over all of them, and nobody will know the difference! If you don’t have smaller tables on hand, take this opportunity to invest in a few folding tables and chairs that can be easily stored once the holiday is over. If your space is so limited that it doesn’t allow for even a makeshift dining table, no worries. My sister-in-law rents a couple of bar-height tables and puts them in the middle of her living room. No one ever minds standing up to eat, and this dining format really encourages guests to mingle.  Or maybe some people can eat at the table, some on the sofa, maybe even some on the floor. Believe me, where your guests eat is much less important than what they eat and with whom they share the holiday.

 

Have guests their own (folding) chairs

When I got my first apartment, I moved in with just bedroom furniture. But that didn’t stop me from throwing a Cinco Di Mayo party. The invitation noted that guests should BYOC (bring your own chair.) My friends thought that was a hoot! They each brought a folding chair, lawn chair, or stadium chair, and everyone ate with their plates on their laps. Everyone has a great time despite (or because of?) the untraditional seating.

 

Rearrange furniture

The dining room isn’t the only space to consider. Even if everyone fits around the table, think about after-dinner relaxation, game-watching, and mingling. Try to balance space for your guests to move with seating to accommodate everyone. This can be accomplished by temporarily removing furniture that won’t be used and shifting couches and chairs to the perimeter of the room. If the day is mild, you can also utilize your patio, deck, or balcony.

 

Create a place for coats and bags

Once you have finalized the guest list, decide where your guests’ coats, bags, and boots (if the weather is inclement) will go. Depending on where you live, most people will arrive in coats, and many will have bags. You don’t want these items to take up valuable space in the eating area, and if you’re lucky enough to have an entry closet, it’s probably already pretty full. Your bed can make the perfect place for everyone to lay their coats and bags. Or consider purchasing a coat tree to place by your front door. Spread out an old towel or some brown paper bags to collect any we footwear.

 

Buffet it

Set food up on one table, buffet style, and let everyone serve themselves. Your buffet can be on the kitchen counter, side table, dining table (if people will be sitting elsewhere), or on a rented folding table. This works especially well if you have a non-traditional seating situation.

 

Cold beverage storage

Since your fridge will probably be very full, fill your [very clean] bathtub with ice for cold wine, soft drinks, mixers, and beer. Consider adding a big bowl for clean ice service.

 

Use disposables

I’m seldom one for recommending single-use anything, but Thanksgiving dinner is an exception – especially if the number of guests exceeds your plate and flatware counts. Using attractive seasonal paper dinnerware, nice paper napkins, and plastic silverware is a very smart option. There will be plenty, even if some guests toss the first plate before going back for seconds, and the cleanup will be significantly easier.  And we do want to make hosting Thanksgiving in your apartment as easy as possible.

 

Right after COVID, and SO READY to entertain again, I had an usually large crowd (for me) of eight for Thanksgiving. I decided to get some pretty paper and plastic products instead of using my “real” plates and cloth napkins. Everyone loved how coordinated and festive the table looked. I chose dinner, salad, and dessert plates, plus cocktail and dinner napkins. Other than the pots and pans, cleanup was a breeze.

 

If you prefer to use your own dishes, you can add fall- or Thanksgiving-themed appetizer, salad, and dessert plates with coordinating napkins. If that sounds like overkill, choose pretty Thanksgiving-themed dinner napkins.

 

Pre-clean

When you host Thanksgiving in your apartment, you will need to clean your place and clean it well. A clean apartment always feels more spacious and inviting than a dirty one. Clea out the fridge, wipe counters and floors, wipe down bathrooms, vacuum, and dust to prepare your home for your Thanksgiving Day guests. You should also guest-proof your home. This may sound paranoid, but even if you know everyone that’s coming well, advance preparations will make you more comfortable in the long run.

 

  • Help prevent breakage. There’s always the chance some of your things can get broken, especially if children are joining you for dinner. Remove anything valuable or personally important, or that’s low to the ground. Store these things somewhere out of the way to keep them safe.
  • Protect yourself from The Snoop. Some guests like to snoop. Anything you’d like to keep private like medications, mail, or personal items, consider hiding away.

 

Stock your bathrooms

Keep your bathrooms well-stocked with tissues, toilet paper, personal products, and soap, making sure that extra items are easy to find. Disposable hand towels will prevent one cloth towel from getting overly wet and gross. Be sure your bathroom trash can is in sight. On Thanksgiving Day, set a timer on your phone to remind you to do periodic bathroom checks. Then a quick wipe and swipe will keep your bathroom fresh (because people, as a general rule, are pigs). My guests always appreciate the small bowl of mints on the bathroom counter so they can freshen up.

 

Declutter

Not only is clutter unappealing to the eye, but it takes up precious real estate that could be used for a serving platter, or a few bottles of wine, or an extra chair. One of the simplest Thanksgiving solutions for small spaces is to clear your surfaces of unnecessary items. Leave out just enough décor to keep your apartment feeling cozy and festive and store the rest. You can bring it all back out the next day as you begin to decorate before Christmas. LOL.

 

The most important thing about hosting Thanksgiving is making your guests feel welcome, cared for, and satisfied with the food and the camaraderie.  Any successful party is as much about lively conversation and laughter as it is good food. People gather during the holidays to celebrate family and friends and to enjoy the company of people they love and enjoy.  No matter what size apartment you have, you can make this Thanksgiving one to remember. Just focus on what you do have to work with, and you’ll do an amazing job hosting Thanksgiving in your apartment.

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Be Cool By The Pool https://www.fathproperties.com/blog/2024/06/13/be-cool-by-the-pool/ https://www.fathproperties.com/blog/2024/06/13/be-cool-by-the-pool/#respond Thu, 13 Jun 2024 14:48:00 +0000 https://www.fathproperties.com/blog/?p=96   Summertime….and the livin’ is easy…especially if there’s a sparkling pool where you can chill on a hot day. But chillin’ only happens when everyone is mindful of their own behavior and kind to fellow chillers. So here are some guidelines on how to Be Cool By The Pool. Running, jumping, diving, pushing, roughhousing, and/or…

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Summertime….and the livin’ is easy…especially if there’s a sparkling pool where you can chill on a hot day. But chillin’ only happens when everyone is mindful of their own behavior and kind to fellow chillers. So here are some guidelines on how to Be Cool By The Pool.

Running, jumping, diving, pushing, roughhousing, and/or weapons are the epitome of uncool.

Activities that may send you – or someone else – to the ER are off limits.

Be cool about saved chairs.

Sorry, lounge chair monitors. Saving a seat around the pool is just fine – within reason. Respect that a chair with a towel is taken. But chair savers need to be respectful of others too. It’s not cool to save yourself a seat hours ahead of time, save an entire umbrella table for just yourself, or save half a dozen chairs. Only use the chair space you need for sitting; your stuff doesn’t need a seat. Looking for a great pool towel that’s beautiful, dries quickly and takes up very little space in your pool tote? Click here.

Shower before getting in the pool.

No one wants a layer of another person’s body grime floating around the pool. Rinse off in the shower before taking a dip, especially if you’ve been running or working outside all day. If you’re sick or have an open wound? You know what to do – stay out of the pool entirely.

Dress appropriately.

Yes, we all noticed you spent all winter working on your beach bod. But, no one wants to see your downstairs outline or extreme cleavage, especially when there are kids around. Be respectful, dress confidently but modestly, and keep the G-string and banana hammock for the beach. Save street wear for the street and wear swimwear to swim. Wear pool shoes or flip-flops everywhere in the pool area (except in the water) and in the restrooms.

If it’s breakable, leave it home.

Glass of any kind and other breakable items are strictly prohibited. Folks will be barefoot for heaven’s sake! Choose from one of a boatload of uber-cool, environmentally safe non-breakable drinking vessels and beverage carriers instead.

Keep your music to yourself, use your indoor voice, and watch your language.

It’s nice that you love your music and want to share with the world, but the world didn’t ask. Keep the tunes low enough so only you can hear, or wear ear buds. If someone asks you to turn down your music, do it. Some venues do not allow audible music, so check the rules and be sure to bring your headphones (check out waterproof headphones here) or waterproof earbuds.

Follow established pool rules.

All pools will post rules somewhere along the fence or on the gate doors stating what is permitted and prohibited at the pool, safety rules, and pool hours. These rules apply to everyone — including you, your family, and your guests.

Clean up after yourself, you animal.

Bringing snacks and refreshments is usually allowed at most apartment pools (no glass of any kind ever). But don’t abuse the privilege by leaving wrappers, food, cans, and trash around your seating area. Keep things clean around you by making frequent trips to the garbage/recycling.

Spray with caution.

Many people prefer the spray over lotion sunscreens for easy application. While SPF is a must, spraying everyone around you is not. To contain the contents and mist, spray in your hand and apply where needed. If you must spray, walk to an area away from others to spray. Click here for the best sunscreens of 2024.

Keep the gate key or gate code to yourself.

Your community’s pool is a private pool for you and your neighbors. Inviting friends over for a swim is totally acceptable (provided you follow the guidelines for guests), but giving your access key or pool code out to everyone you know is not – and you may be violating terms of your lease.

Let kids have fun safely.

Splashing and screaming is second nature to children, but you and your kids still have to be courteous and considerate of other pool-goers. If your kids start to get rowdy, run at the pool, or get overzealous with the splashing, have them take a break until they have calmed down.

Don’t take your eyes off your kids because this could allow annoying behavior (everyone wants and deserves a peaceful environment) and potentially be very dangerous.  Know your kids’ swimming ability and be with them at all times. You birthed ‘em; you’re responsible. Here’s a great article about kids and pool safety.

Be nice.

Treat others with kindness and courtesy so everyone has a good experience in and around the swimming pool and sun deck.

Now get out there all you cool cats and enjoy some fun in the sun, tanning, swimming, and chillin’ poolside.

 

 

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10 WAYS TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS https://www.fathproperties.com/blog/2024/04/03/10-ways-to-make-friends-with-your-neighbors/ Wed, 03 Apr 2024 19:15:00 +0000 https://www.fathproperties.com/blog/2024/04/03/10-ways-to-make-friends-with-your-neighbors/ 10 Ways To Make Friends With Your Neighbors   You’re moving to a new place. A new home, a new town, perhaps a new job, new people. New can be nerve-racking as most folks take comfort in the familiar. So how do you find ways to feel at home? Settle in. Settle in to your new…

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10 Ways To Make Friends With Your Neighbors

 

You’re moving to a new place. A new home, a new town, perhaps a new job, new people.

New can be nerve-racking as most folks take comfort in the familiar. So how do you find ways to feel at home? Settle in. Settle in to your new home by unpacking and surrounding yourself with the things you love. Settle into your new neighborhood by familiarizing yourself with the area and finding new favorite shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Settle in to work by getting to the commute route, your job functions, your boss, and coworkers. Settle in by making new friends. All these steps will lessen the disorientation you’ll feel when moving into a new apartment home. In our Neighborly Neighbors post, we chatted about the whys of making friends with neighbors. Today we’ll help by sharing the hows in 10 ways to make friends with your neighbors.

If the thought of introducing yourself to strangers breaks you out in a cold sweat like it does me, rest assured are ways to ease into it without feeling super awkward. Neighbors are plentiful in an apartment community and there are many ways to connect with them. Check out these easy ways to turn saying, “Hi!” to neighbors to making friends with them.

1. Get Noticed

If your community allows it, let your neighbors know there’s a new kid on the block. Add a fun doormat, hang a wreath, place a pretty pot of flowers or a small bench by the door so they’ll notice a fresh change. Now this may sound unusual – but it’s so fun – hang cute (legible!) note on your door inviting your neighbors to knock. “Just moved in! Stop by to say hi!” Many people want to become friends with their neighbors too, so this can be the bit of encouragement they need. And most folks will want to befriend someone who obviously cares about their place.

2. Host A Meet & Greet Party

Even though you won’t (obviously) know your apartment neighbors yet, it’s quite possible that they don’t know each other either. A welcome party is a great way to not only meet them but to provide opportunities for them to connect with each other. Drop off an invitation at the door of each neighbor in your entryway, building, or on your floor. Call it a Meet & Greet. Have it for just a couple of hours and provide snacks. Ask everyone to bring their own beverages if you want to keep costs down. This is such an easy way to entertain and start down the path of making new friends!

3. Get Social (Media)

Many apartment communities will have Facebook groups for their residents or a Facebook page for the community itself. If you can’t find one, start by joining neighborhood groups. Chances are there are at least one or two of your apartment neighbors in those groups as well. Sometimes it’s easier to strike up a conversation naturally online.

4. Chit-Chat In Passing 

A bit cliché, but making small talk while you are coming and going to your door or your car can open doors to new friendships. Saying hi to neighbors is quick, easy, and gets the ball rolling. If you don’t know how to start a conversation with a stranger, try asking a question about the building and let them know you’re new. If you’d prefer a different approach, try complimenting them! Everyone responds well to a genuine compliment.  Once, when moving to a new place, a neighbor approached as I was walking to the trash corral. He said, “Hi, I’m Jesse. Welcome to the building. I live in apartment 2. You just knock on my door if you ever need a cup of sugar!” Jesse is from South Carolina, so his offer in that sweet southern accent just made my day. Even without an accent, it’s a really nice way to say hello.

5. Use The Amenities 

If your apartment community has a gym, pool, business center, walking trail, or bark park, use it! This is a great way to meet folk with whom you share a common interest and makes starting a conversation pretty darn easy. Plus you’ll quickly learn who the regulars are. Start by waving or saying hello to the people you recognize. Then, whenever the chance presents itself, strike up a conversation. If you’re not sure what to talk about, make a comment or ask a question about the amenity you’re both using.

6. Show Your Face

Attend events hosted by your apartment community. Many communities host events or mixers to help residents connect with each other. For anyone trying to figure out how to meet friends in a new city, this is a great way to meet people in similar situations or with similar interests! Keep in mind that there are probably others looking to make friends, too. If the building itself doesn’t host events, that doesn’t mean others can’t. Many communities have digital bulletin boards within their online resident portals. Don’t ignore them – check frequently to see if anything catches your eye.

7. Bring Fido

Dogs are the perfect icebreaker – almost everyone want to pet a pup, and it’s easier for most folks to say, “hi” to a dog than a person. So if you have a dog, bring him or her with you when you go out. So many places are dog friendly these days. We’ve made a note of these places in Greater Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky, Dallas, and Dayton for you. Let them get the ball rolling in making new friendships. When I moved to a new state, I was fortunate to have a dog park near my apartment. My pup loved going there with me after work and soon we knew every dog  and pet parent in the neighborhood.

8. Help

When you see new neighbors moving into your apartment community, introduce yourself and let them know that you’re there to help if anything comes up. This could be something small, like borrowing a cooking ingredient or a tool, or something bigger, like running an errand, picking up a package, or carrying in a new sofa. Even though they may not take you up on it, this gesture of goodwill can go a long way toward helping you make friends. People almost always respond positively to kindness.

9. Ask A Question

Asking someone about themselves is one of the best ways to get a conversation flowing and avoid an awkward silence. Prepare a few questions to ask when you meet your neighbors – it could be something as simple as, “How long have you lived here?”, “Do you work around here?”, What’s the best place to get breakfast nearby?”

10. Go Outside

Get outside for fresh air, hopefully some sunshine, and perhaps a bit off exercise. Just being outdoors can be one of the easiest ways to meet your neighbors. If your apartment community has a rooftop deck, a pool, Bark Park, or a playground, you’ll be sure to find some of your neighbors there. If your apartment doesn’t have these things, go for a walk around the neighborhood or hang out at the nearest public park. You could meet others from your building there.  While outside, wash your car windshield or plant a flower in the garden. Again, just being out of your apartment has the potential to expose you to many more people than if you just sit indoors and binge watch.

Welcome to your new home! Hope you’re settling in comfortably and on your way to making friends with your neighbors. If you have any great tips on making friends in an new town, share them in the comments!

The post 10 WAYS TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS appeared first on Fath Properties Blog.

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