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The Chattahoochee Valley is expecting population growth equivalent
to a small city in
the coming months.
Here are some ideas
to help make your new neighbors feel welcome.
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Invite them to a gathering.
Have an
old-fashioned block party and invite
the new neighbors along to meet everyone.
Ask each family to bring a card
with their names and contact information
for the new folks.
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Feed them.
A casserole is a great reason
to drop in on the new neighbors. The
kitchen is probably still in boxes, and
they may not even know where the grocery
store is yet. If you’re too swamped
to cook, pick up a frozen casserole or
two from Lewis Jones instead.
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Set up a play date for the kids.
If the
new neighbors have kids of similar ages to yours, invite them over for a play
date. The parents are sure to appreciate
some quiet time in the midst of
the chaos from moving.
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Leave a welcome basket.
If you’re
uncomfortable just introducing
yourself, leave a basket at their
doorstep with items any new family
might need: coupons to local
stores, a current phone book, your
family’s contact information, a
street map, names and numbers
of local utilities, trash and yard
waste pick-up times and such.
If you happen to be the newbie and none of your neighbors have come to you, here are some ways to become part of the community.
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Ask
about
a
neighborhood
association.
Historic
districts,
condo
complexes
and
some subdivisions
have homeowners
associations
that
meet
regularly. This is a great
way to
meet several
neighbors
at once.
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Use
your kids.
If your
children
have
made
friends, but you’ve
not
met a soul, send
an
invitation to their friends’ parents for coffee
or
lunch.
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Bake
too
many
cookies.
People
are
busy,
and
they
may
be
worried
about
bothering
you
when
you’re
trying
to
get
settled.
So
take
the
initiative
and
knock
on
doors.
Need an excuse? Take a plate of cookies and
say
that
you
over-baked
and
wanted
to
share.
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Have
a
yard
sale.
This
is
a
great
way
to
meet your neighbors while getting rid of all
the
stuff
you
should
have
left
at
the
old
house.
Send us your comments and feedback: contactus@valleyparent.com.
