Safe and Welcoming Neighborhoods

Realtors place a lot of emphasis on curb appeal, but many of the items of appeal may remain hidden. Some come from the choices made after purchase. How can a neighborhood give the impression that the neighborhood is where everyone wants to live? Creation of a safe and welcoming neighborhood comes through attitude, cooperation and care.

Attitude

If someone wants to live in a safe and welcoming neighborhood, residents must accept the motto to have a good neighbor you must be a good neighbor. Neighbors must be willing to accept that others will annoy them and they will annoy, but willingly considers others when decision making.

Many households have hobbies, pets and children that sometimes interrupt the peace and quiet of a community. Children playing in the streets give the appearance of safety to the community so if children can skate, play basketball, or other games within the view of others their activity gives the appearance of safety. Family size does not provide enough children for a full team so children need playmates. If parent group works together to make sure the children safely play with supervision, the neighborhood can give the positive appearance.

Cooperation

Many complain about resident associations limit the use of their property, but these organizations do provide for the means of cooperation. These associations provide a means for buyers to gain confirmation that the neighborhood is safe and welcoming. What a governmental body can provide to citizens is limited so homeowners must meet together to determine how to compensate where the governmental body stops. One community felt the neighborhood needed lighting, but the residents and the government did not want to brighten the neighborhood with traditional streetlights. The neighborhood decided to add lampposts and landscaping lighting. They explored buying the lampposts at discount and assisted each installation challenged to install. The community got the safety of lights through cooperation and caring.

Care

Attitude of caring can exist without intruding on the privacy of the residents. Knowing everyone in the neighborhood does not mean that you intrude in the lives of each other, but how can you help supervise absence or nighttime without knowledge. A community promotes a special night called A Night Out. Community members are encouraged to have a block party to get to know each other. One night a year does not appear to be an intrusion.

Most often caring is not intrusion it just requires one to be alert. How many of us have forgotten to get the garbage can to the street on garbage day or saw the parcel delivery at a house when they were gone. Simply offering to assist in this way allows them to return the favor when you need the help. Would we really ignore if we heard our neighbor yelling for help because of a fall? No we would not and especially if we know each other. Say Hello whenever possible and offer the watchful eye we all need for safety.

We want to live in safe and welcoming neighborhoods, but that comes from us. If caring cooperative and friendly people live within a neighborhood safe and welcoming neighborhoods can exist.

Learn more about this author, Kris Kennedy.
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