Whether you have just moved to a new neighborhood or have lived there for a while, you may not have as many friends as you would like. If you are not as close to the local community as you would like, it’s fairly easy to change that. It can be hard making new friends when there are already cliques within the area – yes, cliques still exist in adult life, they’re not just part of high school – but it is doable. The key to forming strong friendships with others from your neighborhood is to start building bonds with the community as a whole. To help you do that, below are some ideas:
Have a garage sale on your lawn
If you’ve got some old junk that needs getting rid of, then perhaps holding a garage sale could be a great way to kill two birds with one stone. You can make some money by selling anything that you no longer want and get to know some of the neighbors at the same time. Whenever anyone comes over to see what you are selling, introduce yourself and ask them where they live in the area. This is a great way to start building bonds with others in the local community.
Host a BBQ
Do you already say hello to the people living around you but don’t know them too well? Well then, why not host a BBQ in your garden and invite all of your neighbors around? If inviting them to a private BBQ seems too weird, perhaps you could host a BBQ to raise money for a charity that’s close to your heart? Or, how about hosting a BBQ for a local school instead?
Organize a retreat
Are you an active member of a local charity or group? Then why not organize a little retreat for everyone who is part of the group, so that you can all get to know each other better? Whether it’s a church group or a charity group, it doesn’t matter, a couple of nights away to bond could work wonders. Have a look at some retreat facilities that offer a range of activities and experiences, and see who would be interested in coming along. Perhaps you could make it a family trip so that everyone of any age is welcome to join the getaway?
Help out at volunteer groups
If you don’t already help out and volunteer at local groups or charities, now could be the perfect time to start. You would be amazed at the people that you meet helping out at local groups and charities, and so, signing up to volunteer is a great way to build bonds with the local community. Whether you want to become a volunteer at your children’s school for field trips or want to help out at a local homeless charity, it doesn’t matter – what’s important is that you are getting out there and getting more involved in the community.
Admittedly, it can be hard to build bonds within the local community if you don’t know the best ways to go about it. However, if you take note of the tips above, you should be able to start getting to know your neighbors better and start becoming a more active part of your community.