Be A Good Apartment Neighbor

Multicolored row housing descending downhill with young trees in the foreground.Living in an apartment means close quarters, and one of the best ways to alleviate any tension that comes with that is to be a friendly and respectful neighbor. Whether you live in a house or apartment, it’s always a good idea to be familiar with your neighbors, even if only on a first-name basis. Especially if you live alone in an apartment, knowing your neighbors can help you feel more at home in your complex, and it is useful in the event of an emergency. An open line of communication between neighbors is ideal to harmonious apartment living.

The most common complaint of apartment dwellers is noisy neighbors. Of course, it is nearly impossible to avoid making any noise at home in your apartment, nor can you expect your neighbors to stay quiet as mice. Being respectful when playing music or entertaining guests is crucial, as well as making sure your dog doesn’t bark too much. But it’s advisable to go a step further and make your neighbor aware in advance of a particularly noisy situation, such as your getting a new puppy, hosting an apartment party or installing a treadmill directly over his or her ceiling.

Particularly in small apartments, you should feel comfortable knocking on a neighbor’s door to introduce yourself, let them know about pending noise or even invite them to your party. There is a fine line between being overly gregarious and being polite, however. Most apartment dwellers are keen on maintaining as much privacy as possible in the tight wall-to-wall conditions, so don’t overstep with your extroverted efforts unless a neighbor seems open to developing a friendship.

If you maintain a polite relationship with neighbors, they will be more likely to come to you directly with any concerns, rather than going straight to apartment management or law enforcement (in the event that party starts sounding a little too fun). Looking to find an apartment and start meeting neighbors? Our great search tools at ApartmentSearch.com make it easy to find Dallas apartmentsPhoenix apartmentsAustin apartments, or Seattle apartments in these cool cities and many more nationwide.