SMARTER • LIFESTYLE
Meeting then greeting thy neighbour GOING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND MAKING FRIENDS WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURS CAN HELP YOU PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY AS WELL AS EASE YOUR INTEGRATION INTO THE BROADER COMMUNITY. Social connection and inclusion lies at the heart of every great community. But it can sometimes take longer than expected to feel at home in a new neighbourhood. And it seems most Australians feel less connected than ever before. According to research conducted by Research Now in October last year, only one in four of us claim to have a very good relationship with our neighbours, yet 77% of us crave
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SMARTER COMMUNITIES
deeper relationships with them. The survey also found only 46% of Australians only know up to three neighbours by name and 70% are not connected to any neighbours online. Relationships Australia says neighbourly interactions are important because good relationships with others can transform communities. Social connection also makes us feel better as it helps prevent loneliness, isolation and depression, it says.
But growing time pressures, an increase in those leading transient lives and for some, a fear of backto-basics conversation, means many of us are unsure how to break the ice when it comes to introducing ourselves to our new neighbours. Zarife Hardy, director of the Australian School of Etiquette, says it is generally much easier to meet your neighbours while living in a strata community, owing to the fact there are many more shared common areas. Whether you
