Connect with your neighbors, and you’re likely to feel even better about living in Casa Bahia! It doesn’t take much to share a smiling “hello”, to introduce yourself to those you meet in the elevator, the garage or the trash room. Building a sense of community in our condo building takes a little bit of effort, but it pays off. And, according to Vitality Cities leaders in the South Bay, you will live a happier, longer life if you feel a connection to others, including your neighbors and your community.
Here’s how:
Giving and receiving kindnesses: Yes, it is good to give as well as receive. Imaging going to the Farmers Market next door and bringing back some extra flowers for a neighbor in our building, or sharing a bag or oranges, or even some popcorn.
Building safety: Knowing your neighbors increases the overall safety within the building. You see someone you’ve not seen before? Talk them up a bit….find out if they really belong here. If they do, make them feel welcome. If not, do something about it! Also, close outside doors if they are improperly propped open.
Share responsibilities for HOA access: Find someone in the building you can rely
on, and work out an arrangement with them to handle access to your unit if you
cannot be there. We will be having two upcoming needs for access, where an inspector will come into your unit to check your sprinkler system and another will be to get the edges of your unit door painted. If you can’t be there, get a neighbor to help out…or help some else
out.
Emergency information:
You never know when you may need to have your family contacted to help you… you fall, you are ill, there’s a change in the pattern of things that is noticeable by others. Having someone keep an eye on you is good, and it’s even better when you provide contact information so that your family can be reached, if needed.
Keeping the building tidy: Maintaining our building is not easy, and it’s also expensive. You can do your part by putting all your trash and recyclables in the provided containers. That also means that you should flatten boxes so that more fits into the recycling container. And everything should be put into the dumpsters, not on the floor (except on trash pick-up days, when the dumpsters are on the street).
Friendliness pays off, in good feelings and in a better building.