Garage Sales...

My neighbor had asked me last summer if I was interested in doing a garage sale one weekend, so that we can have it the same day and get the crowds all at once. We never got around to it last summer, but we plan to do it in the spring.

Is it silly or 'not politically correct' to do this :

I was thinking of dropping a note in a few other mailboxes on the block, and maybe starting a 'garage sale weekend' where anyone interested can join in either or both days, and it would be something to 'get everyone out of the house' too !!!
(of course, each to his own driveway)

I feel like having a 'walk around and meet your neighbors' day. Growing up in Queens and knowing everyone within at least a block of my house, and now here, not knowing who or what lives in the house next door after 2 years, is kinda culture shock... not fun !
I have heard people say that they 'dont know and dont care' about who their neighbors are and about interacting with them...
One of my neighbors 2 houses down stopped by to drop off a gift for the baby about 3 weeks after he was born. That touched me so much. There ARE sweet people behind these doors, we just have to knock and chat ! Anyone else feel this way ??

that sounds like a great idea to me!

I've been living in my home for over a year and I've only met a few of our neighbors, but I really don't speak to them. Just a 'Hi' type of thing when they drive by. It's rare to even see them!

It's hard around here b/c everybody has children and know each other through their kids. Their friendships are pretty much established already. The other thing is that I'm fairly young. Most are in their late 30s or even worse, their kids are my age!

When frank and I move into our new home, i am probably going to send some of my neighbors something from the popcorn factory (since i get such a great discount) hopefully that will start us on the right foot,, i would not want to not know my neighbors.

Anna i think that is a GREAT idea.. if someone approached me with that i would love it!!!

Sue

Anna...I feel the say way!! Harry and I moved into our house in September of 02. He meet some of the neighbors but I havent really meet them!! Between working in NYC...I leave in the morning at 6:30 and do not get home until 7:00pm...and the winter setting in...people are in their houses. I figure in the spring, when the weather gets better, people will be out and we will meet them. I also want to have a BBQ just for the neighboors kind of a get to know ya thing!

Jenn, why dont you start the block party ???
Drop a note in your neighbors boxes to see who wants to help get it going. (permit to close the street, etc etc.)

Last summer (you might remember my post about it). I got a note in the mail from a lady down the road that wanted to start the first annual block party. I left her a note back right away saying I would love to be involved.
She NEVER contacted me again and the block party happened and my side of the block was pretty much not involved much. The DJ, ballpit for the kids, and all the games, and food were right in front of her house... NERVE !!!
This summer I'd like to get my side of the street involved.

We have a neighborhood association here. I told my FH we should join and start attending meetings, afterall it does concern us. I would definitely have to go through them first if I was interested in having a block party (I'd p!ss a lot of people off if I didn't.) I'm surprised they haven't done it yet.

I just wish there were more people my age around here. My FH and I are definitely the youngest homeowners in this neighborhood.

There seems to be a mix of 'retired' couples, families with school age kids, and a few newlyweds a few with infants and 1 or 2 with no kids yet.

But its hard to get to know them. Like many did not choose to be part of the block party, what a shame. (I guess mostly the older crowd), but its a shame that you can get to know your neighbors!

Jenn, how long have you been in your neighborhood?
How did you initially meet people?
I feel like I'm being anti-social, but I just don't know what to say to these people.
The other problem is that I feel some of the folks around here are kinda' 'hoity-toity'.

I'd be more than happy to invite some of the neighbors over, but our home is not really ready for 'entertaining' just yet.

anna,
how long have you been in your neighborhood?

I've been here for 2 years. Our next door neighbors moved in about 6 months ago. I was thinking of dropping them a note to come by for coffee. Theyre a couple about our age, no kids yet. and 2 neighbors across the street ive met, and just say 'howya doin' to...

What a shame !

What other ideas are out there to get everyone to mingle ???

Jenny, LMAO about 'hoity toity' !!

my mom is huge on joint garage sales....


also if you all pitch in you can put an ad in the pennysaver...

my mom made hundreds with all the stuff they cleaned out of my grandfathers house...lol

We're planning a garage sale for spring, and I plan to mention it to the neighbors to see if they want to make it a joint thing.

We're lucky in that our neighbors have been friendly, though we haven't really developed friendships - I think it's partly because the couples on either side have young kids and are busy doing things with other kid-filled families.

When we first met the guy next door he was wearing a Jets hat and I commented that DH was a Jets fan. He was glad to hear that - he told us he had seen our Massachusetts plates on our cars when we moved, and said to his wife 'Oh NO - they are Patriots Fans!'

We've been here for 1.5 years. We only know our next door neighbors on both sides (hi/bye relationship), a family 2 doors down (The dh is a cop... I think he and Patrick SMELLED each other, and gravitated together ), and 1 other neighbor who I work with (but she is RARELY home, so I always forget she is our neighbor!).

Everyone waves, but I'm too shy to stop and talk. My own stupid fault, I know.

Well, since we haven't moved in yet, I'm not sure what to expect. I am hoping that in the very least, we like our neighbors. However, we already met the neighbors 2 doors down - actually, during the bidding process on the house - b/c the realtor also sold them their home last year and she wanted us to see what they've done with the place!

They seemed really nice and have two young daughters.

Otherwise, all I know is that there are a bazillion kids in the neighborhood b/c we had the house inspected on Halloween and there were little ghosts and goblins (and their parents) EVERYWHERE!