The Renter’s Guide To Being A Really Good Neighbor

Growing up, my neighborhood in the ‘burbs of New Jersey was extremely close-knit. We had backyard barbecues, block parties that closed the entire street to through-traffic, and a community carpool that required minivans to accommodate all the kids who needed to be carted to school. On any given afternoon, you could find me in a friend’s backyard with the rest of the neighborhood kids, where we played tag or some form of capture the flag until we were called home for dinner.

As an adult, I’ve found it much more difficult to foster a relationship with my neighbors. While part of this can be chalked up to the busy schedules of adulthood, some of the disconnect is likely due to the fact that I rent instead of own — which means I move pretty often. And I’m not alone in this: A survey of 1,000 people found that the average millennial moves once every two years, while for the average Gen Xer, it’s every four years.

Fortunately, Apartments.com makes it easier to live my nomadic lifestyle while still finding spots that allow me to build good relationships with those around me. To help renters of all types bond with their neighbors, Bustle teamed up with the site to lay out our favorite tips for cultivating a sense of community, no matter what kind of home you find yourself in.

1. Introduce Yourself & Share Resources

In our mostly digital world, it can be easy to avoid in-person communication with your neighbors beyond the occasional wave as you’re coming or going. But actually introducing yourself (yes, IRL) is a simple gesture that goes a long way. It’s less awkward than meeting for the first time when you need something (like, they’ve parked in your designated parking space by mistake, or you need them to turn down their unreasonably loud music). Plus, it helps create a sense of community and social connectedness with your neighbors, which can actually improve your quality of life.

After a quick introduction, ask to exchange numbers with your new neighbors in the event of an emergency (or just a favor). Then offer to answer any questions they may have — like when trash day is, what the deal is with street parking, or your intel on the best grocery stores and restaurants nearby.

2. Keep The Noise Down

One of the hallmarks of being a good neighbor is erring on the side of being inconspicuous. We’ve all had the neighbors upstairs that sound like they’re catapulting bowling balls down the hall every night, or the next-door neighbors who seem to own five different pairs of wooden clogs. One of the simplest ways to be a good neighbor is to be mindful of your sounds — those coming from your TV, your speakers, and even your own voice.

If you’re naturally a louder person — or sensitive to sound — Apartments.com makes it easy to read reviews from real renters, so you can sniff out apartments with super thin walls or noisy, echoing hallways.

3. Extend Small Favors

Simple favors like texting your neighbor when you see a package outside their house or offering to water their plants when they go out of town are easy ways to build good relationships with people in your proximity. Plus, they’ll likely return the favor the next time you’re out of town — win, win!

4. Search For Your Apartment By Lifestyle

If you’ve just recently had a baby, you probably don’t want to live on fraternity row. And if you’re a student on a budget, you can likely skip luxury buildings during your apartment search. Fortunately, with Apartments.com, you’re able to filter your home search by lifestyle and a ton of other factors.

College-goers can look exclusively for student-friendly housing, and the same goes for those with their eye on short-term or military accommodations. If security is a priority, you can easily search for only gated communities or buildings with a doorman. Individuals seeking a more high-end space can limit their search to include only apartments that offer amenities like walk-in closets and fitness centers. You can even set parameters on the minimum and maximum square footage you want in your next place.

Using these same tools, you can also search for housing based on the things you value the most. Social butterflies can search for apartments with common and shared spaces like pools, patios, and clubhouses, while dog and cat lovers can keep their search exclusive to pet-friendly spaces. By selecting for a space that fits your lifestyle, you’ll be one step closer to surrounding yourself with likeminded neighbors with shared values.

5. Maintain Common Spaces

Another hallmark of being a top-notch neighbor is keeping your common spaces presentable. That doesn’t mean you have to hire a landscaper or decorate your door with a wreath for every single holiday, but maintaining the exterior of your home is a subtle way to show respect for the people in your proximity. Nobody wants to live next to the house with a totally overgrown garden or a mountain full of shoes ripe for tripping over at the doorstep. Simply clearing your walkways and trimming any growing plants should suffice as good neighbor etiquette. Plus, you’ll be making your neighborhood or building a more pleasant place for you to exist, too!

Ready to find your dream home? Visit Apartments.com today to get started.