When you move into a new apartment community, not only are you getting a new place to call home, but you are also getting a wealth of new neighbors. How can you turn those neighbors into friends? Sometimes, making friends in an apartment community feels overwhelming, but if you are proactive about the process, you can start to build valuable friendships with those around you. Here are some tips to help.

Bake for Your Neighbors

The next time you have the urge to bake, consider baking something for your neighbors. Nothing breaks the ice quite like a plate of fresh cookies! Worried about allergies? Most people will appreciate the gesture even if they are gluten free or sensitive to something in the food, and you can start a conversation even if they cannot eat the goodies.

Spend Time in Common Areas

Put yourself out there by spending some time in common areas of your community. Whether the workout room, the kid’s playground, the dog park or just the common meeting areas, this is where people will be spending time. Introduce yourself, and chances are you will have found a neighbor with some common interests.

Attend Community Events

When there are events in your town near your apartment community, get involved. Chances are some of your neighbors will too, and this gives you yet another opportunity to meet people with interests similar to yours.

Organize a Party

If you are finding the opportunities for social get-togethers are limited, consider planning one. Organize a community “block party” to be held in one of the common areas. Then, invite your neighbors out for the fun. They will appreciate the fact you made the initiative, and you will have the opportunity to build some friendships.

Be a Friend Worth Having

Be a considerate neighbor in your apartment community. This can go farther than all of the community events and parties in helping you build friendships. From keeping the noise and clutter at bay to ensuring that you go out of your way to respect the property of others in your community, there’s much you can do to improve your neighborly status with your fellow apartment dwellers. Exchange emergency phone numbers so you can help your neighbors out when needed. This shows a measure of trust and also gives you a hand in keeping an eye on your apartment when you are not home.

There are many ways to make friends, and when you are in a new modern apartment it’s easy to find people with so many sharing a community with you. After your move, get yourself out there and start building those friendships.