Who Lives on My Street? How to Find Out, and Why It Matters

As the Welsh proverb goes, “A little among neighbors is worth more than riches in a wilderness” – and as common sense goes, it’s always useful to know your surroundings. Knowing your neighbors can not only help foster a strong sense of community, it can bolster the overall safety of your neighborhood, too. And yet, according to data from the Pew Research Center, about 57 percent of Americans say they only know some of their neighbors, and only 26 percent say they know the majority of them.

We get it. Social anxiety is real and privacy is paramount. But there are some legit benefits to getting to know the people who live next to you – so if you’re ready to put on your extrovert face and say a quick “hello,” here’s how to do it, and why it might just pay dividends. 

Why Neighbors Matter

Few would claim that it’s controversial to say that we’re living in strange, and often difficult, times; and it’s exactly those sorts of times when community becomes more important than ever. According to Axios, fewer lives are lost in tragedies ranging from natural disasters to mass shootings when neighborhoods are well connected. And while it’s true that connected neighborhoods tend to experience less violence (including gun violence), not all the benefits are so serious.

An extensive study from the Journals of Gerontology finds that adults who know their neighbors report healthier psychological well-being, especially as they age. Similar studies have shown that forging friendships with neighbors can lower levels of loneliness, stress, sadness, and nervousness while boosting self-perception and self-respect. 

As Elyakim Kislev, Ph. D. at Psychology Today, says, “in light of the technology-driven move away from neighboring and relationships with our neighborhoods, there is growing interest in research on how neighborhood context can impact mental health and overall well-being. Indeed, neighboring is an efficient way of achieving social support, sharing resources, and creating a sense of security.”    

Oh, and there’s the convenience factor, too. That same Pew data says that about 66 percent of Americans who know some of their neighbors feel comfortable leaving their keys with them in an emergency.

How to Say “Hello” 

Whether the spirit of Mr. Rogers already had you ready and raring to shout “hello, neighbor!” or that heartening data convinced you to put on your bravest face and introduce yourself, you have plenty of options for breaking the ice with your neighbors. If you’re looking for ideas that are low on awkwardness and high on friendliness, here’s just a bit of inspo. 

The Knock (or the Wave)

Old-school door knocking with a short and sweet introduction is still a surefire way to meet your neighbors. If you’re the crafty type, feel free to bring a small gift like a baked good or handcrafted tchotchke (pro tip: make sure any food-based gifts are in a container that you don’t mind giving away, so that your neighbor doesn’t feel pressured to get something back to you). Just make sure you try to time it right, and not during work hours, super late nights, dinnertime, or the like.  

We totally understand that showing up unannounced might not be your style, though, especially as privacy's an even bigger concern these days, with more people working from home than ever before. If you’d prefer a more low-key approach and don’t mind biding your time, just wait until it happens organically and give your neighbor a wave and a short intro the next time you’re both hanging outside in your yards. Simple and unobtrusive. 

Spend More Time Outside

On that latter note, meeting your neighbors can happen naturally if you simply spend more time (just) outside of the house. We mentioned the simple wave-and-intro combo above, but you’re also bound to organically pass your neighbors when you take walks, bring the kids out to play, or take the dog out for a stroll. Kids and dogs are natural segue-makers whether you want them to be or not, but even if you’re solo, we promise it won’t be weird if you take the time to say hello to the familiar faces you inevitably start to see. 

Plus, spending time outdoors is good for you, anyway. So, post up on that front porch or in your apartment’s common space and wait for those meet-cutes to come your way. 

Use the Holidays as an Excuse

Holidays as disparate as Halloween, Christmas, and the Fourth of July have at least one thing in common (aside from being, you know, holidays) – they take all the mystery out of questions like “who lives on my street?” and “who are my neighbors?” 

Especially if your move-in happened close to a major holiday, use that as an excuse to get out there and take a peek at the local scene. Halloween straight-up encourages people to knock on doors, while Christmas is one of the few seasons in which it’s not weird to walk around and stare at people’s houses (we’re talking about light displays here, don’t make it creepy). Independence Day block party? Hit the block and bring fireworks to make instant friends. 

Have a Get-Together

Just like the door knock, a get-together to celebrate moving in and to meet your neighbors might be old-school, but it’s effective. Call it refreshingly quaint, but it still has its place. Keep it casual and go with something like an outdoor barbecue or small potluck to make sure it’s breezy and easygoing. Even better, host it in your front yard or common space so that you can invite curious neighbors passing by to hop in for a quick drink or kebab.

If you’re stressing over who to invite or the face-the-face invite process in general, post up a few fliers around the neighborhood (or in online groups – more on that next) so people don’t feel pressured one way or the other. 

Attend Local Events

Showing up at HOA meetings or at super-local governing meetups (like code compliance, town halls, or Q and As with local representatives) doesn’t just strengthen your community, it ups your chances of seeing familiar faces. And the more familiar a face, the easier it is to make that all-important introduction. Boom, you’ve already got something in common.

Likewise, don’t sleep on patronizing locally-owned businesses. Participate in the community, and soon you’ll find yourself a genuine part of that community and not just a tourist with the same zip code. Who are my neighbors? The people out there living like locals. 

The Online Method 

If you’re wondering “who are my neighbors?” or “who lives on my street?” but you don’t quite feel up to making introductions, consider going online instead. Whether it’s your HOA or just the neighborhood itself, sites like Facebook, Nextdoor, Meetup, and even Discord might host groups just for local community members to get to know each other, discuss neighborhood issues, plan events, and generally hang out. Alternatively, your street, block, or suburb might even host a group chat or text thread just for the neighborhood. 

In the same vein, mobile apps such as Citizen, Public Safety Pro, Donesafe, Intelex, and others not only keep track of local happenings and emergencies (such as 911 calls and nearby incidents), many feature live chat and similar features, making them sort of like small, bespoke social networks just for your neighborhood. If you’re more comfy starting online, joining neighborhood groups or using local apps with social features can make for a solid segue into IRL meetings, too. 

Just Say “Yes”

If you’d prefer less pressure, lower stakes, and a zero percent chance of rejection, there’s no harm in waiting for your neighbors to come to you. Aside from taking a little more time and patience, all it takes to get to know your immediate community is one little word: “yes.” Try to release yourself from those “I’m too busy” or “I’m too shy” impulses and put yourself in a place where those three letters come easy – the worst that can happen is that you can’t make an invite and have to tell someone, “next time.” 

As the novelist Clarice Lispector once wrote, “Everything in the world began with a yes. One molecule said yes to another molecule and life was born.”

PeopleWin – Get to Know Your Neighbors, Better

Getting to know your neighbors is a wholesome endeavor, and eventually fosters the sort of heart-filling trust and friendship that you can’t put a price on. While those studies we mentioned prove that, statistically, close-knit neighborhoods are safer places, it never hurts to add a little extra layer of security on top.

Want to know who lives next door before you pop over? PeopleWin’s free people search allows you to search by street address. Whether you use that address, names, or even phone numbers or email addresses, our 12 billion-plus public records instantly turn up heaps of information, including the presence of social profiles, property ownership info, criminal records (additional fees may apply to view details), and tons more. And don’t worry, every PeopleWin search is anonymous. 

PeopleWin brings people together – and learning more about your neighbors? That’s a win, too.

As a freelance writer, small business owner, and consultant with more than a decade of experience, Dan has been fortunate enough to collaborate with leading brands including Microsoft, Fortune, Verizon, Discover, Office Depot, The Motley Fool, and more. He currently resides in Dallas, TX.