Connect with neighbors by finding common interests and sharing enthusiasm.

Moving into a new house in a new neighborhood can be exciting, but isolating if you’ve also moved to another city. A friend of mine who’s done just that commented on my article, Connect to Others from the Heart and Soul, by asking the following questions:

“Do you have any advice for connecting with your neighbors? I just moved to a new neighborhood; Bruce and I went over and met three sets of neighbors. They were really nice…but I don’t know how to initiate further meetings! And, how do I connect with people walking on the street in my neighborhood?”

I reflected on this and then asked my husband, the one who befriends neighbors, restaurant servers, diners at the next table, and anyone he encounters while travelling, how he would approach this. “Talk about what you enjoy in your present environment,” he said as though it were obvious. “Everyone likes to be uplifted by talking about what they appreciate – look around and focus on what’s there.”

It also dawned on me that people like to be helpful and give advice. With these two approaches in mind, I’ve created a list of conversation starters and suggestions for initiating further contact with neighbors you’ve already met.

Tips for Connecting with Neighbors

Once you’ve said hello, and perhaps mentioned that you are new in the neighborhood, try these conversation starters.

Connect with their pets. If you pass a neighbor walking a dog, or you see a cat in the yard, stop to pet it and ask questions about it. People love to share stories about their pets. If you also have a pet, you can further the conversation by swapping stories.

Connect with their kids. If you have children, it’s easier to connect with neighbors who have kids. You can arrange play dates, go to the park together, and trade childcare. If you don’t have kids, you can still build rapport by asking about their children or initiating conversation with their kids while in their presence.

Share your enthusiasm. As soon as you mention you are new to the area, tell them how happy you are to be here. Be specific about what you love about the neighborhood, your home, and the community. Ask them how long they’ve lived here and where they came from. This back and forth exchange could lead to further conversation about work, hobbies, recreation.

Ask for advice. Ask for helpful tips in areas that interest you. For example, if you love to garden and you see a neighbor working in theirs, ask them for gardening tips. If you want to know which restaurant offers the best seafood, or where to go hiking, ask a neighbor. Once you’ve connected with a neighbor, ask them for advice on how to connect with other neighbors.

Throw a party. Plan a party and invite all your neighbors. Go door to door with an invitation and use this as an opportunity to engage in conversations on any of the above tips. A neighborhood party could be a wonderful way for other neighbors to reconnect and establish friendships.

The best way to build rapport with someone new is to find common interests. From there, the conversation will take care of itself. But for additional tips, read How to Meet People Easily and Make Friends in a New City.

I hope this helps! If you have any further questions or suggestions to add on how to connect with neighbors in a new neighborhood, please comment below.

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