Keeping Up with the Neighbours

Unless you are fortunate enough to be a millionaire and can afford the luxury of owning your own private island you will have neighbours to contend with. This need not be a problem though. Showing consideration will reward you with acceptance and will allow you to enjoy your property.

Building better relationships with your neighbours will also help to strengthen the community you live in, even if it is only for a few weeks in the year. Doing this promotes tolerance, acceptance, understanding and respect, and breaks down community barriers.

In turn, this will make elderly, and vulnerable, residents feel more safe and secure in their surroundings.

What To Do

Doing this is simple. All it requires is that you make an effort to greet your neighbours and introduce yourself in a friendly way. Exchanging contact telephone numbers, in case there is an emergency, is also a good idea. Building a positive rapport with those living in close proximity to your second home will also mean you have friendly people willing to keep an eye on your property, when it is empty or when you have tenants staying.

Environmentally Friendly

Spending money is the usual way most people keep up with their neighbours. Buying the latest gadgets and products, and flaunting wealth, is not only costly but also tiring. One course of forward thinking action you can initiate in your community is a green drive. It is important to actively practice ethical living however, and not just appear to be environmentally friendly.

• Setting up a recycling system in your area is easy to do once you have established where to deposit your waste.
• Whilst Brits are becoming more conscious of the amount of recycling that can effortless be done, communities abroad may yet need to experience this.
• Initiating a community green drive – where you take it in turns to be responsible for recycling waste paper, bottles or cans – can help to foster better relationships, as well as improve the local environment.

Building Regulations

If you are planning to develop and expand your property you may suddenly find your neighbours are not as friendly as they once were. Considering how the implications of any work you have carried out on your property may affect your neighbours will enable you to see things from their point of view, and can help in stopping potential feuds developing. Keeping your neighbours informed about work being carried out will also be appreciated. Sharing information means you will get to learn of any events or developments that may affect you at a later stage.

Helping Hand

Offering support is always appreciated, even if your gesture isn’t always taken up. Lending a hand with sorting the garden, carrying heavy shopping, a lift into town, will help community spirit thrive. Doing a favour once in a while, also means you won’t feel awkward about having to ask your neighbours to keep an eye on your property whilst it is empty.

Local Customs

Accepting the people who live around you, and their annoying pets and children, will allow you to live in harmony. If your second home is in a different country you will obviously have to familiarise yourself with the customs in this area. See this as an opportunity to broaden your life experiences, and remember to smile as you accept your invitation to the communal BBQ.