On moving-in day, some neighbors gave you the wave, and others… was that stinkeye? Nahhh, chances are they are just curious as to who the newbies are on the block. Don’t be shy, say hello or try one of these ways to get to know your new next-door friends. You’ll be borrowing a cup of sugar before you know it!
Join a Facebook Neighborhood Group
Looking for the word on your street? A neighborhood Facebook group can fill you in. Look for hyper-local ones. For example, the park nearby may have like-minded volunteers, clean-up days or neighborhood activity posts vs. the drama and gossip (although grabbing popcorn and tuning into those can be a fun pastime). One of our clients recently learned their street in Northern Liberties has their very own FB group. Another way to get to meet close-by connections is to sign up for your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook. Neighbors post and exchange items that may be collecting dust in their basements, all for free!
Attend Neighborhood Association Meetings
Take a peek at our neighborhood pages to find out who your Neighborhood Association is. Usually, topics cover zoning proposals, announcements of new businesses, as well as neighborhood clean-ups, volunteer opportunities, and get-togethers. Meeting agendas may be found on your association’s website, FB page or newsletter. Many meetings these days are on Zoom which makes it even easier to attend and to be involved!
Host a block party
Our marketing manager moved to Philly during the month of August 2013. She recalls navigating the U-Haul past closed-off streets with bouncy castles and rag-tag rock bands. Instead of frustration, she fell in LOVE with that first impression of Philly and the idea of hosting her own block party. It’s easier than you think! Simply go to phila.gov print out the form, gather signatures from your neighbors, and the city will allow you to block of the streets and host your party for a small fee. It is customary for each house to contribute $20 or so to the pot so the kids can be entertained with a rented bouncy castle and to go towards the fee for the permit, DJ etc. You can choose the style- community grill and pot luck, or each house have their own tents and set up. Either way, folks meeting on the concrete dance floor sharing burgers and boozy Rita’s ice is guaranteed fun!
Stoop hang
A good old-fashioned front porch or stoop hang goes a long way. Say hi to passerby’s, (even if they don’t say hi first). Wave to neighbors heading to their cars, hop up to help them unload the groceries. One of our clients is looking to start a “Stoops Scoop” where neighbors rotate handing out ice cream & popsicles from their stoop once a month. Now that’s our way to socialize!
Sign up to be a Block Captian or a Clean Block Officer
The role of the Block Captain in Philadelphia is to help bring the block and community together! They help organize block cleanups, chat with neighbors, connect folks to city services, and can even help plan block parties. Anyone can be a Block Captain! You can apply, discover if you already have a block captain, and find more about the program here.
If you are looking for other ways to get involved in your community, Philly is a city chock full of volunteer opportunities. Be it housing-focused with Project Home , helping to end hunger with Manna on Main Street or organizing a block clean-up. Good neighbors coming together can do amazing things!
Fishtown is a tight-knit neighborhood, known for its mix of generational Philadelphians, artists, families, and young adults that enjoy the nightlife. Stroll the streets and you will instantly make new friends with newcomers and oldtimers crowding their stoops.