"Communities work better (students perform better,
crime rates are lower, kids are safer, people live longer) when neighbors know
one another better. Knowing your neighbor on a first-name basis...is a
surprisingly effective first step."
- Robert Putnam, Harvard Public Policy Professor and author of Bowling Alone
- Robert Putnam, Harvard Public Policy Professor and author of Bowling Alone
While advancements in technology have made it
possible for us to connect with people from around the world, numerous studies
show that it has led to a decline in face-to-face interactions.1
In his book Bowling Alone, Harvard Public Policy Professor Robert Putnam “draws
on evidence including nearly 500,000 interviews over the last quarter century
to show that we sign fewer petitions, belong to fewer organizations that meet,
know our neighbors less, meet with friends less frequently, and even socialize
with our families less often.”2
How is
this shift impacting our overall well being? A study
by Oregon Health & Science University researchers found that having limited
face-to-face social contact nearly doubles an individual’s risk of depression.3
CONNECTING
WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
If you’re considering a move to a new city or
neighborhood, you may be worried about replacing the comfort and support of
family and friends you’ll leave behind. Or perhaps you have completed a move
but would like to meet more people, build friendships and strengthen your
support system.
In this post, we’ll explore 10 ways you can
utilize technology to foster in-person connections with your neighbors, make
friends and get engaged in your local community.
1. JOIN
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD’S SOCIAL NETWORK
A growing number of neighborhoods are
utilizing private social networks like U.S.-based Nextdoor and Canadian-based GoNeighbour.
These platforms are designed specifically to connect neighbors.
Residents post about a variety of topics,
including neighborhood news, recommendations for local businesses, lost pets,
etc. But don’t just use them to connect virtually. Extend an invitation to your
neighbors to attend an in-person event, such as a park playdate for families,
an informal soccer game or a potluck block party.
2.
ATTEND A PLACE OF WORSHIP
If you have a religious affiliation, joining a
local place of worship is great way to meet people and get involved in your
community. Whether you are looking to join a church, synagogue, mosque or
temple, there are a variety of online resources available to help you find a
match in your area:
●
ChurchFinder
(Christian Churches)
●
MavenSearch (Jewish Synagogues)
●
Salatomatic
(Islamic Mosques)
●
All Hindu
Temples (Hindu Temples)
●
Buddhanet (Buddhist Temples)
To make the most of your affiliation, look for
opportunities to meet in smaller group settings. It’s a great way to form
interpersonal relationships with people who share your beliefs and values.
3. FIND
AN INTEREST GROUP
Whatever your favorite hobby or pastime,
you’re guaranteed to meet people who share your interests when you join an
interest group!
The website Meetup.com has over 32 million members in
288,000 groups in 182 countries. You can search for a group in your area that
appeals to you … from book clubs to running groups to professional networking,
they have it all.
4. LEND
A HAND
Volunteering your time and talents is another
good way to get engaged in your community and meet those who share a similar
mission. Find one with a cause you’re passionate about by visiting a website
like VolunteerMatch.
You can search by cause, location and
keywords. Another option is to search for volunteer positions that require
specialized skills. There could be an organization that needs someone just like
you.
Lotsa Helping Hands is another site focused on
connecting volunteers with those in need - primarily the ill or elderly.
Members can request help or search for opportunities to assist others by
delivering a meal, providing a ride to an appointment, or simply stopping by
for a visit.
5. TAKE
A CLASS
Taking a class is a wonderful way to develop a
skill while meeting people who share your interests and passion for learning.
Whether you want to brush up on your Spanish, finish your novel, or learn how
to tango, most community colleges offer inexpensive, non-credit classes on a
variety of topics.
And if you are pursuing a degree, forego
taking your courses online. Opt for the traditional route instead. There’s no
substitute for being part of a live community of your peers.
To search for a community college in your
area, visit the American Association of Community Colleges or SchoolsInCanada.com.
6.
ATTEND AN EVENT
Attending a live event is another way to
engage with members of your community. From festivals to fundraisers to
retreats, Eventbrite
is a great place to search for events in your area.
Be strategic about the type of event you choose
to attend. For example, it might be hard to meet people at a large gathering
like a festival. A retreat or a networking event may offer more opportunities
for one-on-one interaction.
7.
SHARE YOUR STUFF
There’s been a rise in “sharing communities,”
which facilitate the free exchange of goods among neighbors to reduce
consumption and keep usable items out of landfills. Nonprofit groups like The Freecycle
Network are made up of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for
free in their own towns and neighborhoods. Members can post “offers” of free
items or “wanted” items they need.
The company Peerby has a similar goal of reducing
consumption by encouraging neighbors to lend and borrow items they don’t often
use, like a ladder or a cake pan. Peerby enables you to request items to borrow
from your neighbors and encourages you to register items you are willing to
lend.
The Little Free Library is another innovative way
neighbors are participating in a sharing community. Stewards build or purchase a box to house
the library and place it in their front yard or public outdoor space. Visitors
are encouraged to take a book they’d like to read, and in exchange leave a book
for someone else to enjoy.
8.
SUPPORT A COMMUNITY GARDEN
Community gardens have become increasingly
popular in both urban and rural areas across North America. Not only do they
beautify a neighborhood, they also foster community, encourage self-reliance,
reduce family food budgets, conserve resources, and provide opportunities for
recreation and exercise.
The American Community Gardening Association
website enables you to search for existing community gardens in your area. If
there isn’t one nearby, you might considering starting one. The site provides
helpful tips and resources for organizing a garden in your neighborhood.
In North Carolina, another great place to go
for info and resources is the North Carolina Community Garden Partner. http://www.nccgp.org/garden_directory
9.
CARPOOL WITH A COWORKER
In the spirit of joining a “sharing
community,” carpooling offers many similar benefits. It presents an opportunity
to form a bond with coworkers and/or neighbors during your daily commute.
Additionally, you can save money on gas, reduce wear-and-tear on your vehicle,
lower carbon emissions, and in many cities reduce your commute time by taking
advantage of high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) travel lanes.
A new wave of carpooling websites and apps aim
to revolutionize the way we commute by making it easier and more convenient to carpool.
While many of these are still in their infancy stages, they are expanding into
new markets and improving functionality at a rapid pace. Kangaride Local,
Scoop
and Waze
Carpool are just a few examples, and more are popping up every day.
Check to see if any of these are available in your local area.
10.
PARTICIPATE IN WORLD NEIGHBORS DAY
The organizers behind World
Neighbors Day promote it as “an invitation to share a moment with
your neighbors, to get to know each other better and develop a real sense of
community.”
In the United States it’s held on the third
Sunday in September and in Canada it’s on the second Saturday in June.
Participants are encouraged to organize gatherings with their neighbors to
build relationships that “form the fabric of our communities.”
You can participate by attending or organizing
an event in your neighborhood. Whatever you do, be sure to make your gathering
inclusive and welcoming to all.
BE A
GOOD NEIGHBOR
As with anything in life, you will get out
what you put in. It can take time to build lasting and meaningful friendships
with your neighbors, but the effort you make is likely to pay off tenfold.
The tried-and-true way to make friends, expand
your circle, grow your support system and get engaged in your community? Be a
good neighbor yourself.
Are you considering a move to
a new neighborhood? I'm a local market expert, and can help you find the
perfect neighborhood to meet your needs. Please contact me for a free
consultation!
Sources:
1. Lengacher, L. (2015) Mobile
Technology: Its Effect on Face-to-Face Communication and Interpersonal
Interaction. Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences –
http://www.kon.org/urc/v14/lengacher.html
http://www.kon.org/urc/v14/lengacher.html
3. Bergland, C. (2015 October 5)
Face-to-Face Social Contact Reduces Risk of Depression. Psychology Today
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201510/face-face-social-contact-reduces-risk-depression
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201510/face-face-social-contact-reduces-risk-depression
