The Importance of Knowing and Talking To Neighbors
In our society it has become increasingly common for people to live somewhere without knowing many or even any of their neighbors, especially in cities. In this video I outline some of the major benefits of knowing your neighbors, and why it is important for the functioning of our society. These benefits include:
Reducing crime and generally making a neighborhood safer and more functional.
Helping each other out, doing favors for each other or giving things to each other.
Exposing yourself to diversity, spending time with people of different ages, backgrounds, and with different value systems, so that we can learn and grow and become more tolerant.
Reducing time and resources spent on driving in cars or shipping items using trucks, and instead walking more to get around, thus saving money, protecting the environment, and having public health benefits.
In the last part of the video I talk about different ways you can meet your neighbors. My main examples are:
Spending time in your yard or a porch or deck, especially in front-facing spaces like a front yard or front porch, so that you are visible and available to talk to neighbors passing by.
Knocking on neighbor's doors and introducing yourself.
Participating in local activities in your neighborhood.
Becoming a regular at neighborhood businesses like coffee shops, cafes, and bars, getting to know the employees and other regulars, and meeting friends there so you are present in the space.
I also talk about long-term reforms such as zoning reforms or changes to HOA rules that may restrict behaviors such as front-yard gardening, or home structures such as front porches, that help to build community.