When people go to buy a home, the first thought is “What can the community do for me?” But that’s only seeing one side of the coin. The best neighborhoods are those where everyone looks out for each other.
The question is, what can you do with your home to help your community? How should you renovate and manage it?
Host Events Regularly
The first thing to do is to host regular events. If your property can function as a hub for everyone else, that will make it more attractive and welcoming.
The best place to get started is with block parties. These bring everyone together and foster connections with games, food, and activities. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but hosting a single event can build a community spirit and make people feel closer to each other.
Set Up A Community Board
Depending on where you live, you could also set up a community board. These are the perfect venues for sharing information with other people on the street and discussing local matters.
Community boards work well in tower blocks in inner cities and suburban areas. They’re also an excellent idea for villages if you don’t have one yet.
Reduce Your Light Pollution
Another subtler way to help your community is to invest in reduced light pollution. Cutting down on the amount of illumination your property generates helps everyone sleep better.
These days, more people are opting for lights for DarkSky communities. These help to brighten up outdoor space, but without the same impact on everyone else.
Support Local Businesses
You can also put energy into your local community by supporting the nearby businesses. Collaborating with companies and brands can help feed money back into the community, encouraging more to do the same. Local economies are far stronger when the financing circulates instead of passing outside to other areas (usually a small global elite).
If you can get involved in farmer’s markets, then do so. These often host local craftspeople making homewares and various other products you might normally buy at bulk or discount stores.
Encourage People To Volunteer
Depending on where you live, encouraging volunteerism is another way to foster a sense of community in your home. Organizing local litter picks and charity collection events is a way to bring people together and celebrate what you have.
Make It Safe
Finally, you might consider turning your home into a safe place for people struggling in the community. You could be a refuge or bastion for individuals who need temporary support.
Simply providing a neighborhood watch facility is another approach you could use. Adding these boosts awareness and reduces the risk of crime.
How you use your home can ultimately shape the entire community. Turning your neighborhood into somewhere that people want to live is an option for many people, especially if you can instill the community spirit in others. Often, all it takes is a couple of properties to contribute to the collective before everyone starts getting involved.