Neighbour Day officially began in Calgary following the 2013 floods to celebrate the unwavering support that residents throughout the area had shown for their neighbours. It has now turned into an amazing opportunity to get out and meet your neighbours in a fun social setting that takes place in different communities throughout the city. Today is the sixth annual Neighbour Day here in Calgary, so we are sharing six tips to help you be a great neighbour.
- CUT DOWN ON NOISE. According to City of Calgary Bylaw, ‘all residents have the right to not be disturbed by noise [and] all residents have the responsibility not to make noise that disturbs others’. This includes not operating motorized power tools or devices between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 pm to 9:00 am on Sundays and holidays. Whether you are hosting a party, playing with your kids in the backyard or tackling some home renovation projects it is important to be aware of the time of day and level of noise you are creating and how it might affect your neighbours.
- MAINTAIN CURB APPEAL. Don’t be that house on the block that is poorly taken care of and brings down everyone else’s property values. Invest time into boosting your exterior curb appeal by mowing your lawn, trimming hedges, keeping your yard clear of toys, and cleaning your driveways and sidewalks. Pay close attention to the siding of your house as well and complete touch-ups as needed.
- BE A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER. You may love your dog, but that doesn’t mean that everyone else will. Ensure you are cleaning up after your pets and that they are always on-leash or within your line of vision.
- HANDLE ISSUES FACE-TO-FACE. Regardless of how good of a neighbour you try to be, there are still circumstances when you may not see eye-to-eye with others. If you are in a disagreement with your neighbours, ensure that you address the situation face-to-face and try to come up with a reasonable resolution together.
- HELP OTHERS. Remember that you only get as much as you give out, and others will notice that you are going out of your way to help them out and will likely return the favour. Offer to help others whenever you can whether by mowing their lawn when they are away or pushing their car out of the snow when they get stuck.
- PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE. The most difficult part about getting to know your neighbours is figuring out how to initially break the ice and create a relationship. Initiate conversation by saying hi every time you pass your neighbours and be sure to welcome any newcomers into the community in a warm way. If you’re feeling up to the challenge, consider hosting a block party of some sort to get everyone out to meet each other.