Being Neighborly in 2023
It’s not any big secret that things change over time. Gone are the days when you’re welcomed to the building by a knock on the door with introductions and fresh baked goods. Nowadays you’re lucky to even see a neighbor, let alone know the name of someone in the apartment next to yours! Due to the necessity of being healthy and safe these days, people just aren’t overly friendly and eager to meet each other anymore. An essential thing to remind ourselves is the reality of knowing our surroundings, and our neighbors, is being safe! Not only that, but politeness, kindness and overall respect can go a long way in our small North Dakota communities.
When folks live in a shared space, like an apartment building, sounds and voices can resonate. Sometimes even amplify. Anyone recall that
Friends episode with the neighbor character downstairs who would pound on the ceiling with his broom because he could hear them just “walking?” I don’t believe any of our properties are that sound sensitive! However, it would be a thoughtful thing to keep in mind; the noise level in your apartment. I’m not saying to stop blending your morning smoothie or telling your kids “keep it down!” every few minutes. Some suggestions might be to
not
blast your favorite country song in the evenings when other neighbors may be trying to get their infant to sleep, so perhaps send the kids outside for some fresh air.
Another generous choice apartment neighbors can make is when it comes to their visitors. Apartments are a great space for many things but they aren’t necessarily what most would categorize as a “large gathering space.” The off-street parking is typically saved for residents, and the nearby parking is usually limited. Not to mention the above notes about noise levels. Your neighbors will most likely notice the change in sounds and number of voices. A large gathering of visitors, even if attempting to be quiet, can still cause a stir and disruption in an otherwise calm building. To save your neighbors any cause for conflict, it might be better to host your crowd at a more private setting.
All of our Prolific properties are pet friendly. Sharing a space with pets comes with its own parts of consideration. It would help out greatly and is courteous to be conscious of pet smells, outdoor messes, and once again – noise level. One idea for neighbors to have some understanding and support for pet owning residents is to get to know and have a relationship with the building’s furry friends.
When you think of sharing public spaces in apartment communities, typical common spaces like laundry rooms, entryways and hallways come to mind. Keeping these areas clean and paying attention to picking up that wrapper you just dropped is the extra special behavior that adds to a comfortable living environment for all. Perhaps it’s remembering to set a timer for the laundry so it doesn’t take up time a neighbor was hoping to use it when you are done.
While you may not be inviting the new neighbor to your book club right off the bat like they may have in the 40s, you can still be sure to stomp off the snow in the entryway or hold the door when you see someone carrying in a load of groceries to be a good neighbor in the 21st century. Good old manners still means something to the average renter! We love hearing when our Prolific family has good experiences while living on our properties. Please feel encouraged to share any more “good neighborly” suggestions or stories you may have that represent our Prolific values by emailing us at
info@liveprolific.com.
Let’s hop into Spring considering the Golden Rule and perhaps making new friends in addition!
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