Why You Should Get to Know Your Neighbors ASAP After Moving In
Moving into a new home isn’t just about unpacking boxes — it’s also about planting roots in a new community. Whether you’ve landed in a bustling Kuala Lumpur condo, a quiet suburban townhouse in Johor, or a sleek Singapore apartment, there’s one crucial step many overlook: introducing yourself to your neighbors.
I remember moving into my own apartment in Petaling Jaya. After a hectic week of packing, coordinating movers, and trying to keep my cat calm during the journey, I was ready to collapse on the couch. But a knock on the door changed my whole settling-in experience — it was my next-door neighbor with a smile and a “Welcome to the building!” That single moment set the tone for a supportive, friendly living environment.
The Hidden Value of Meeting Neighbors Early
by TheLorry on 12 August 2025.
Our moving specialists at TheLorry have seen it all — from smooth transitions to rocky starts caused by simple misunderstandings. Connecting early can:
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Build trust — neighbors are more likely to look out for you.
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Increase safety — they can alert you if something’s amiss when you’re away.
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Provide insider tips — from the best local eateries to building maintenance quirks.
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Foster goodwill — especially if your move-in day was noisy or disruptive.
Expert Insight: “A simple hello within the first week can prevent months of awkwardness. We’ve noticed that clients who connect early enjoy smoother living arrangements.” – says one of TheLorry’s employee.
Moving in to a new home can be a hard endeavor. You are deciding which furniture, appliances, and other things to bring along, while trying to part with old stuff you don’t need but somehow feel sentimental about.
This is on top of weeks of planning, looking to hire moving services, settling all the house bills and debts, and whether your cat will be okay with the journey. All of this can accumulate to stressful and sometimes, tearful adventure.
Nothing beats the feeling of relief once you have actually achieved your target — done moving into your new home. After doing what’s necessary after you have moved in, this would be the time when you just want to take off everything, lie down among the still unpacked boxes and wrapped furniture to catch some Z’s.
Before you do that though, there’s one last thing you should be doing, if you haven’t already. Get to know your neighbors. In Singapore, there’s a high chance you will be living in an apartment or condominium, which means you’ll be living ever so close to your next door neighbors.
This is all the more reason for you to create a friendship quick, as you might have already disturbed them during your move.
Love Thy Neighbor — Even If You’re Not a Social Butterfly
Moving into a new home isn’t just about unpacking boxes — it’s also about finding your place in the community, and the quickest way to feel at home is to get to know your neighbors right from the start. For some, having a neighbor doesn’t really mean much. They may think of them as just other people who happens to live nearby. People who have no interest in getting to know their neighbors are like people who go to a party and not partake in any social activities there.
Some people see neighbors as just “other people in the building.” But in reality, a neighbor can be a lifeline. Good relationships:
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Make it easier to resolve issues like noise or shared space usage.
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Reduce isolation, especially if you’re new to the city.
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Build a network of mutual support for emergencies.
If you happen to be that kind of person, STOP! Building a good relationship with the people next door may prove to be tremendously helpful. You don’t have to be BFFs or anything, but a great relationship with your neighbors is almost always beneficial.
Living in high-rises especially puts you in the spot to garner good neighborly relationship. Every noise or smell you make can potentially affect them, so be wary of the things you do. What can help is to be friends as soon as you move in.
Get a Head Start Before Moving Day
If you’re visiting your new home before move-in, take a few minutes to greet people you see. Ask casual questions:
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“Is there a community WhatsApp group?”
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“What’s the parking situation like here?”
Not only will you gather useful information, but you’ll also become a familiar face before moving day chaos. Moving houses is a big step for anyone, and usually involves months or even years of planning. If you have been visiting your soon-to-be home, say hello to your soon-to-be neighbors too. This provides you with early insights into the neighborhood or building.
Do It Right After You Move In
Missed your chance before? No problem — just take the first step now. You don’t need a gift basket or casserole. A friendly smile, a short introduction, and your name will do the trick.
Have you ever seen scenes in movies where the friendly neighbor rings the doorbell and brings a casserole to the new home owner? Well, most of the time that doesn’t happen in real life, at least not in Singapore or Malaysia.
But what if we try and reverse that scene and approach the neighbors to say hello instead. If you haven’t gotten the chance to meet your neighbors during your visits beforehand, then you should do it right after you have settled down.
Forget the casserole, just ring the doorbell or knock and introduce yourself as the new next-door friend.
Most of the time your neighbor will appreciate your effort, and will welcome you with open arms. However, there will be one or two who may not be so welcoming towards your friendliness. If you have encountered this type of neighbor, then you may have found yourself a rude neighbor.
💡 TheLorry Moving Tip: If you hire a professional mover, you’ll have more time and energy to greet neighbors instead of wrestling with heavy boxes. Try our House Moving Package for a stress-free transition.
Handling Difficult Neighbors with Grace
Not everyone will be friendly. Some may be:
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Rude — be polite but avoid unnecessary contact.
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Noisy — discuss calmly before escalating.
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Gossipy — keep conversations light and non-personal.
According to a Today.com article, managing expectations and maintaining civility are key to avoiding unnecessary disputes.
..And try to understand annoying ones
Besides rude neighbors, you might also be living next door to a walking, talking sledgehammer. What you can do before starting to fight fire with fire is to know what is making all the noise, and why.
If your neighbor is noisy but friendly, get to know him and see whether there’s a solution to the noise.
Harder cases to solve would be the rude AND noisy ones, which might be impossible to talk to. A high level of patience is needed when you are unfortunate enough to face this kind of hardship.
Try learning about the neighbor from your other neighbors and slowly try to engage him/her. The key is to not resort to anger, no matter how much the noise may bother you.
There are also next-door dwellers who like to gossip about everything and anything. Gossiping always walk hand-in-hand with being nosey, and it can get really annoying at times.
If you fall under the category of people who don’t like to gossip and hear the neighborhood gossip, try to stay away from gossiping queens and kings.
However, be careful to not be rude to them, because you will definitely be the next object of gossip later on.
Help Them Out When You Can
Small acts of kindness create strong bonds. Offer to water plants, collect mail, or lend a tool. These gestures often come back tenfold — your neighbor may one day help carry your groceries or keep an eye on your home. The beauty of making neighborly friendship is that you are able to help each other out in time of need. But it shouldn’t be taken as only a gateway to favors, as it is a two-way street. Help them out when they are in a pinch, or help them look after their plants when they are go for holiday.
In turn, they would gladly look after your house when you’re away, and wouldn’t be too bothered to help you with carrying groceries or moving some furniture.
There are many ways for us to help each other out, so start lighten up your hands and get to helping.
A little housewarming goes a long way
A low-key open house can be an easy way to meet multiple neighbors at once. No need for extravagant catering — light snacks and friendly conversation are enough. If you’ve already introduced yourself, delivering invites won’t feel awkward.
Another thing that you can do to garner acquaintance with your neighbors is to organize a good ol’ open house. Obviously, organizing an open house might require you a couple of days after you have moved in, so give your new home a nice clean up and shine before setting things up. If you have introduced yourself to your neighbors beforehand, ringing the doorbell again to invite them or leaving an invitation will not feel too awkward. So you should do this after you have at least meet most of your neighbors.
For the food, it doesn’t matter whether you are comfortable in serving local dishes or fancier ones. Just make sure there’s enough for your neighbors to enjoy.
Open houses provide excellent time for you to really get to know your neighbors. You may find life-long friendship, a romantic relationship, or even a person that could tutor your child at the very least.
The pros of good neighbor relations outweighs the cons 9 out of 10 times.
Neighbors make the neighborhood
In high-density living, your neighbors aren’t just nearby — they’re part of your daily life. The sooner you introduce yourself, the sooner you can build a supportive, safe, and welcoming community.
Whether you’ve just unpacked or have been living in your home for months, it’s never too late to knock on that door and say hello.
Living in a high-rise where you’re practically a wall away from your neighbors means you will be practically living with them to some extent. It would be unwise if you haven’t at least get to know one or two of your neighbors. For someone who’s just moved in, the time is prime for you to introduce yourself to the neighborhood. If you have been living there for a while and still don’t know much about your next-door kin, it is never too late. Get to it!
Wrapping It Up: Your Next Steps After Saying Hello
As you settle into your new home, remember: meaningful relationships start with one simple gesture. Whether you’ve just moved in or have been here a while, taking the time to connect with your neighbors builds a safer, friendlier, and more supportive living environment.
How TheLorry Can Help You Move In — and Settle In Smoothly
With over 20,000 successful moves across Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia, TheLorry doesn’t just transport your belongings — we help you transition. Our House Moving Package ensures your move-in is efficient and organized, giving you the bandwidth to focus on building relationships in your new neighborhood.
Make your move smoother: House Moving Package
Need answers fast? Chat with us on WhatsApp — our friendly support team is here to assist.
Explore More Helpful Reads on TheLorry Blog
Expand your moving toolkit with these vetted, helpful resources:
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5 Things to Do After Your Move
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Moving with Cats: Tips for a Stress-Free Relocation
Thoughtful, practical advice to keep your feline friends calm and comfortable during the move. -
Moving Made Easy: House Movers Services in Malaysia with TheLorry Company
A deep dive into how our professional moving services make the entire process smoother and more efficient.
Your Move-In Journey Doesn’t End Here
Your journey is about more than shifting boxes — it’s about creating a space where you feel safe, welcome, and settled. Connecting with your neighbors, tapping into local insights, and turning your new house into a home — that’s what this is all about.
Whenever you’re ready, let TheLorry help you move with confidence and joy.
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