When I lived in Cambridge for six years (3rd floor walk-up) my Mom couldn't believe that I didn't know/ regularly socialize with the neighbors. She and my Dad visited often and she definitely knew everyone in the building better than I did.
In Vancouver, the saying goes - everyone is friendly but no one wants to be your friend. And for the most part, we found it to be true. People said hi on the street or in the elevator but it ends there. And that's fine; it's what we're used to.
Even when we lived in SLC last time, a few blocks away, we never met any of the neighbors.
Well, that's not exactly true. We did quickly meet the cranky biddy next door when she left a note explaining that our standard central air conditioning unit was keeping her up at night. The note was followed by a second note, and then she asked us to come over to discuss "the problem". We had the unit serviced, trying to accommodate her, and offered to plant some bushes between it and her fence. We were new to the hood and wanted to keep the peace.
But, unsatisfied, she filed a noise violation, which the police apparently dismissed/ laughed at right away, because our A/C unit was an appropriate size, in an appropriate location.
I think we finally ran her out, because she moved out about a year after we arrived, before A/C season kicked in.
When a new couple moved in, we were determined to start off on the right foot and welcomed the newbies with a pumpkin bread... they seemed annoyed and we sort of felt like idiots.
SO, we have been shocked/ pleasantly surprised/ shocked by the warm welcome we've received here on Harrison Avenue!
The first day here our next door neighbor, Julie stopped by to say hello and offer any help, tools, or babysitting (she has two teenaged kids) we needed. And she must be one of the nicest people I've ever met. She seems like the perfect next door neighbor.
Then there's Mitch from across the street, who is often out working on his beautifully manicured yard. Since our yard needs a little TLC right now, when we met him on our way out to a friend's BBQ we apologized for its appearance. He said we could borrow his lawn mower anytime, to which Keith replied "I just might do that tomorrow." When we returned a few hours later, the lawn was mowed! Another great neighbor.
Sunday morning I was in the front yard greeting the moving truck and several people stopped by to introduce themselves as they walked to the Mormon ward around the corner. Including Kelly, a nice older gentleman who just had Mohs surgery with one of Keith's colleagues and stopped by to tell me about the couple who used to live here and gave me the scoop on other families on the street.
Then there's the nice family from a few doors down, who brought us a huge fresh-picked zucchini from their garden. And Wade from across and a two doors down, who came over to welcome us. And it keeps going - John from across the street just came over with homemade chocolate chip cookies. Honestly, is this a joke?
For the first time, it really feels like we're living in a community, not just a city or a town. I guess this is what it was like years ago, when people were friendly and helpful and involved. It has been a really nice way to start our new life here. When the house is all together we'll have to host a party.
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