Being a Good Neighbor
What should I know about
being a good neighbor?
When moving to a new country or city and into a new home, building good relationships with your neighbors is important. Being an immigrant can pose challenges. Besides the language barrier, cultural differences in the way normal things are done can sometimes cause problems or misunderstandings.
Misunderstandings are common among neighbors, but if you are from a different country, and you do things offensive without knowing it is wrong, your relations with your neighbors may not be the best.
Below are listed the ABC’s of suggestions compiled from some of the local neighborhoods of how to be a good neighbor.
- Keep your lawn mowed.
- Keep trash out of the front yards. (Place your trash in your garbage bins or take your garbage to your local Convenience Centers)
- Do not park your vehicles in the grass of your front or back yard.
- Try not to do things that could disturb your neighbors, such as have loud music or parties late at night. (You could get a ticket for noise violation that has a fine of up to $325 or thirty days in jail.)
- It is not considered good manners to hang your laundry on the fence between the houses. If you want to dry your clothes outside you need to set up clothes lines in your back yard.
- It is against the law to urinate in a public place, even if it is your own yard. Urinating in public is considered very bad manners and more importantly, it is considered a criminal offense that could get someone arrested for indecent exposure.
- It is against the law to drink alcoholic beverages in public areas not designated for that purpose, such as the parking areas or grassy areas of apartment complexes (including sitting in your vehicle in an apartment complex), while walking down the road, or sitting in front of a store or visiting a public park.
Positive ways to blend with your community could be:
- Attend events facilitated by “No Room for Racism” community focus group.
- Participating in neighborhood functions, such as neighborhood cleanups, meetings, barbecues and try to get to know your neighbors and let them get to know you. Many of your neighbors would love to learn more about you and the country you are from.
- Offering your services as a volunteer with the International Center of York County to help reach out to other immigrants in our community.
If you interested in receiving more information about Neighborhood Organizations of Rock Hill, The Council of Neighborhoods for Rock Hill or you would like to talk to a City representative from Neighborhood Empowerment with the City of Rock Hill, please call 803-325-2527 or log on to www.cityofrockhill.com.