Feeling connected to a community is important for all of us.  Having a friendly relationship with the neighbors you see coming and going each week is not only a pleasure, it can lead to greater safety (you keep an eye on each other’s property) and a more peaceful environment (people who feel connected to their neighbors are less likely to clog the street with parked cars or blare music in the wee hours).

To get off on the right foot with new neighbors, here are a few super-quick ideas to welcome them to the neighborhood:

1.  Drop off an easy breakfast.  This is old school but it works!  Muffins & orange juice = straight from the grocery store is fine.

2.  Give them a list of local restaurants you like for take out and special occasions.  What’s your pick for best local pizza?  A quick email or note in their mailbox will be appreciated.

3.  Tell your new neighbors about QuadJobs.  For just $35 for the year, they can post for local college students to help them unpack boxes, move furniture around, do yard work or odd jobs, or babysit the kids while they get stuff done.  Moving homes is a lot of work, but QuadJobs makes it easier to get it all done.  Families with children will be especially grateful for access to the best college babysitters in town.

4.  If you’re feeling generous with your time, offer to host a neighborhood BBQ or pizza night.  It’s amazing how doing this every so often changes the whole feel of the neighborhood.  It does not have to be a big effort.  Potluck is great.  Just one evening out of 365 = good vibes all year!  Hire a QuadJobber to tend bar, clean up, prep anything you need.

5.  If you’re friendly with other neighbors on your street or in your building, ask if it’s okay to share their contact info with the new neighbors.  It’s nice to have an easy way to contact others around you, and can help newcomers feel instantly connected to those around them.
Just a quick gesture of goodwill makes such a difference when someone is new to the area.

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QuadJobs is an online platform connecting college and graduate students to local jobs.  From Saturday night babysitting to moving a couch to helping a local business during a busy time, students find flexible jobs that fit into whatever free time they have. By streamlining the employment connection between campus and community, QuadJobs unlocks jobs particularly well-suited for students’ busy, often changing schedules.  The platform tracks every job a student takes and gathers performance reviews.  Small jobs matter—they help a student network, earn income, and build a track record of work experience.  Local employers can hire with efficiency and confidence.