What makes a good neighbor?

I’d like to think I’m a good neighbor, but I guess it’s kind of subjective. What’s the dynamic of the neighborhood? Is the neighborhood filled with close-knit people who have lived there for multiple years? Who have block parties and barbecues? Or does everyone seem to just keep to themselves?

My current neighborhood is the former. Older couples with adult children who come and go, and retired couples, although a couple homes have recently been purchased by younger folks. All that said, they do some block parties and a few of them throw barbecues. I’m not usually the socializing type so I’ve only ever gone to one of these block parties despite being invited each time. I don’t think that makes me a BAD neighbor, but it probably doesn’t leave a great impression on everyone else. Not that I mind.

I think that in spite of what I’ve mentioned above, I’m an okay neighbor. I have on occasion talked with my immediate neighbors a few times, and I’ve offered help whenever I see an opportunity. Granted being a homebody and staying indoors almost all day makes it difficult to see those opportunities, I still make the offers. I also try to stay vigilant of what goes on in the area since we’ve had lots of cars broken into across the city this year, and one neighbor actually had their car stolen several months back.

So, maybe boiling it down, my idea of what makes a good neighbor is just being helpful. No matter who it is, or what their situation is, just being helpful.