Moving into a new state, city, or house can be an overwhelming experience. Without a doubt, being a newcomer can also be pretty intimidating. Especially with the world primarily being mobile, it’s becoming even harder to interact with people in a face-to-face setting.
Having someone personally there to help you along the way is a comforting feeling. What better way to make someone in the New River Valley feel at home than making them feel welcomed by their neighbors? You might be wondering, “Aren’t we in a pandemic”? Well of course, but you can still get personal while also staying safe! We have provided 5 great ways to welcome an NRV neighbor during COVID-19.
Introduce yourself- At a distance
A few days after your new neighbors have settled in, it’s a polite gesture to introduce your family and yourself. With COVID-19 in the current equation, it is best to do this from a safe distance while wearing masks as well. Some great things to ask about their family, where they came from, or what brought them to the area!
Deliver Food- Contactless
One of the biggest rules for this is to beware of allergies! Of course, these are new neighbors so you may be wondering how to do this. A great way to inform your neighbors of what you’ve made is to include a list of ingredients. That way they are aware of what is in the food. In addition, make sure to provide an array of food if possible in case your new neighbors may be limited due to dietary restrictions.
Make a card
Making a card welcoming someone to the neighborhood is a great contactless way to welcome someone personally to the neighborhood. Provide them with great restaurants, shops, doctors’ offices, or other places that you would personally recommend in the area. You can also include pictures and information about your family and the neighborhood to help them learn more. Remember to leave your contact information if you have any questions!
Make an activity kit
Like a card, you could also deliver a contactless kit that represents their family. They may have small kids who could use some entertainment while the family works on moving everything in. Maybe they have pets that would enjoy treats or toys to help them settle in. Either way, making an activity kit could help them settle in immensely!
Respect their privacy
As we mentioned, moving can be an overwhelming experience, especially with the pressures of staying safe during a pandemic. Some neighbors may be apprehensive about too much interaction and contact, and that’s okay! A simple wave and smile from across the street may be enough for right now to let them know they are welcomed.
Conclusion
If you are unsure of which option to pick, use your intuition to pick the right approach. How comfortable would you be interacting with new people or what would enjoy receiving as a new neighbor? The main idea is to make them feel noticed, safely, in this crazy time we are living in!
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
