1. Get a dog, walk her. Even on the hottest of days you'll run into other dog walkers.
2. Take a run before dawn. You'll be amazed at how many runners there are out there.
3. Plan a block party. Go door to door with a mission - this makes approaching neighbors easier. This works on getting to know your neighbors on three levels - the initial meeting, the planning meetings, and the big event.
4. Become a precinct captain for a political campaign. See item 3 above regarding the "mission."

I didn't have to use facebook once.

The only time I've been friends with my neighbors was when I was in college living in the Dorms. Of course then we all had a common goal of smuggling in the keg and not getting busted for our 20+ person party in a 12x15' dorm room.

Since then I have lived in apartment buildings and don't get much more than a hello in the hallway.

Next week I will be moving into my first house. I plan on introducing myself to as many of the neighbors as I can. I feel now that I am settled for some longer period of time it is good to know the people nearby. I will probably start with just knocking on doors. Who knows what kind of people I will meet.

Having kids has gotten me much more interested in meeting the neighbors. Not only am I interested in my kids' safety (child molesters, anyone??), but it's paid off in that good neighbors keep an eye on my kids (and the other neighborhood kids) when they're out riding bikes, playing street football, etc. And I can usually get the REAL story when there's a dispute among the kids.

I agree with the dog comment above, especially if you're not ready for kids. Well, who's EVER ready for kids, really?

Cookies, homemade bread, and other inoffensive treats. It's not bribery, it's saying "hi neighbor, here's a cookie to tell you I'm friendly, generous, and also a really great cook."

On the flip side, once I met some of my new neighbors, I realized how seriously whacko they are. Like the woman across the street who gets drunk, knocks on my door and proceeds to tell me how much she hates my house. Be careful what you wish for.

When you move into a new house, do outside chores and gardening before you tackle the interior. Being "present" outside is a automatic invite for the neighbors to chat with the "new people". Before moving into our place, we did end-of-season yard care on the weekends and met our neighbors. We found out that they were placing bets as to when we were actually moving in :)

Now we're thinking of having happy hour on our driveway on Friday nights. 2 lawn chairs and our baby, and maybe a sign that says "Come join us with your chair and beverage..."....or something. Since this has yet to happen, I've resorted to inviting neighbors to our future bbq/open house that will probably also never happen, but at least people seem happy and hopeful about it. Hey, we're trying.

I love sitting on my porch reading and having a drink, and I can't tell you how many people who walk by and engage me in conversation, well I am friendly too and engage people, but that goes a long way in meeting people. Also, getting involved in local politics and committees helps too.

I agree with you, MileHighDiva! I was out of work for a while when we lived in the city. The downstairs neighbor tried to make me her babysitter for her kids while she went to get the rest from school. Then I couldn't get out! I had to nip that one in the bud. Ugh. I wouldn't mind meeting the neighborhood cats though. ;)

for the 2nd summer in a row, our family has hosted friday BBQs from june through labor day in our backyard. we open it up to neighbors, co-workers, school friends, church friends, etc. in the hopes that our lives won't be so compartmentalized. 2 years in we've met tons of neighbors and seen our different groups of friends meet and form friendships of their own. it's been so fun to be a part of.

we also participate in the National Night Out block party in august and usually we get a great showing of neighbors for that.

I met one of my neighbors doing yard work. He helped me fix my plumbing when it started raining in the basement. I met another at about 3am in the back alley after a shooting. Most of the other people in the neighborhood are renters who aren't really worried about getting to know us.

I love having yard sales. No one HAS to come over, but when they do, it's nice to chat a little. I am an introvert, but for some reason, this makes interacting with the people around me really easy.

We moved to England last summer, and have had SUCH a hard time getting to know people. Most people just keep to themselves, and are really suspicious of strangers. My daughter and I decided to do a lemonade stand, and although it was really unusual over here, it has been pretty cool.
I wrote about it as more of a social experiment in our context here: http://and-here-we-are.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/a-lemonade-stand-brining-bit-of.html

It was challenging, but a good experience overall. I love the idea of block parties, and just kind of being around, walking dogs, etc., in a way that isn't too aggressive for shy types.

Taking an experience with one less-than neighbor and applying it across the board as an excuse to not connect with people alongside whom you live is pathetic, in my opinion. I've had some whacky neighbors over the years but I've also met some really great people. It's part of sharing a planet with others.

Two words...*Neighborhood Watch* Most communities have a designated law enforcement liason and even those that do not will usually provide guidelines. If one doesn't exist in your 'hood, start one & offer to coordinate it. Great way to meet your neighbors, stay safe & avoid the wacko's all at the same time. If you're unable to get info/assistance from local law enforment, contact the National Sherrif's Assoc & they'll point you in the right direction. Bonus: leads to some great block parties.

Two extreme neighbor stories that will make me look like a lunatic but worked out well:

1. Was at a party. Met a nice gal. She and I exchanged numbers and discovered we lived a block away. Still, we could have easily never followed through. But a week later, at 11pm, I found the biggest spider in the northern hemisphere in my apartment. I was totally freaked out. Called this woman up and said, "Hey remember me? Is it too late for you to come kill a spider?" She did. That was ten years ago. We are best of friends now.

2. I said hello once or twice to a lady next door out walking her dog. We talked for a moment or two about politics and she mentioned in passing she was a grief and crisis counselor. Two months later I received horrific, traumatic news. My body could not stop shaking and I was just in shock. Of course it was 11 or midnight. I rang her bell and asked for her help. She was an angel. She said she was grateful I came asked for her assistance. A month or so later her dog stayed with me for 2 weeks when she went to Paris. Friends thereafter.

As for more subtle ways to meet neighbors, I go with dog walking and watering flower boxes and offering to help a neighbor with carrying their groceries or digging their car out of the snow.

The only thing I really have to add, from my personal experience, is for people to please, please, PLEASE don't try to introduce yourself to the new neighbors by inviting them to your church. At least wait until you know what their religious persuasions are, or for them to ask. I used to live across the street from a woman who started with that, and even though she was pleasant enough it was always awkward after that initial "Hi, I've noticed that you don't go anywhere on Sunday mornings. Here's a brochure."

I'm a renter in NYC, and people move in an out of my building fairly frequently, because we're close to a graduate/professional school campus, but I still find it's rewarding to meet my neighbors. I don't need to know everyone, but it's nice to know a few people. We share tools, sign for packages, buzz guests in, and, on occasion, I've sat for a neighbor's adorable dog. We also talk about problems in the building and how to get help from the management company, etc. That's been really helpful!

When we were house-hunting, we made a point of choosing an active, close-knit block. For any house we were seriously considering, we'd try to find someone out in their yard and ask about the neighborhood, whether they have a National Night Out block party, etc. We ended up getting a house that's a little small for our family, but with an amazing sense of community. Totally worth it.

I've had such terrible neighbours in the past that I'd rather not meet my neighbours.

It's easy to ignore them when you don't know them, introducing yourself can be the worst thing you can ever do with neighbours who have slight mental problems as they will now focus on you and make it hard to avoid them. We had one set of neighbours burn my mothers van in our driveway and kill birds in our aviary as well as mace our dog. Absolutely nothing could be done about it because of the way society currently ignores the mentally ill and hopes they get better. Thankfully they eventually moved after I got together a community petition of 500 people for their landlords to kick them out.

When I buy a house the first thing I will do is build a fence and plant a hedge in my front yard. I'm never making the mistake of inviting that kind of drama into my life again.

@KATALYST, I love the happy hour idea.

I'm with katalyst. We focused on the outside first. Lots of big changes in the yard -we wanted to get shrubs and other plants started right away so they can mature while we tackle inside projects. Lots of other hardscape projects as well. Anyway we met all sorts of people. Getting the dog(s) out is another great move.

My first house, next door neighbor knocked on my door. She was reeling drunk, I almost fell over just from the smell. She apologized for not bringing cookies and proceeded to dis everyone else in the neighborhood. We wrapped up our front porch convo and I watched her stumble over to her house.

Turned out she & hubby were lushes of great capacity, their two kids were vandals, and they had all enjoyed hanging out on my front porch and yard when the home belonged to the dear old deaf and nearly blind previous owner. They didn't cotton to my requests they stay off the porch and stop cutting through the back yard, especially when howling drunk at 3 am.

I had to set up web cams, record overnight activity, and catch them in the act, press charges, get restraining orders ... I also put up a fence, asked the other neighbors (most of whom were not asses) to help watch out for my house, and called the cops fairly often. Their daughters vandalized the side of my house next to their house, ripped up garden, etc. etc. The Dad decided (this was pre-fence) to spray my back yard garden with RoundUp, wobbling drunkenly as he spritzed around (I took photos of this as my husband went out to yell at him to stop and get out of the yard.) Do you think I was ever able to get this dealt with in court? No. Although, Dad was hauled off for yelling at a cop when the cop told him to go inside and stop yelling at us (the cop and I.)

I was soo happy when I learned they were leaving - the mortgage unpaid for almost a year they were finally being set out. The quiet was lovely.

Does this mean I avoid all neighbors? No, but I'm fairly self-contained and tend to just say hi and wave when gardening or as we drive back and forth and our paths cross. Eventually we all converse, but I notice no one here has parties and invites neighbors. Might be due to the semi-rural neighborhood, or that we are all different & keep different hours (one family with kids, several older renters, one older woman who must work all the time, a state trooper, etc.) Anyway, my take on meeting neighbors is be who you are - more introverted types just seem strained when being "hi neighborish!"

Another NYC apartment dweller here... I tend to introduce myself to likely looking neighbors and it's been a boon in my current building as well as my previous home to know and work with neighbors on building issues. Still friends with a couple of former neighbors. There's MeettheNeighbors.org, a crossover between the real and the virtual and ideal for the shy. (Developed by the same guy who created The Lunch Club). I also highly recommend EveryBlock.com neighbor blogs if available in your city. It's a good way to keep up on community activities and news and can lead to some real world meetings; in fact, I'm off now to the second neighbor meetup in my area this year, hosted by EveryBlock.

i live in austin and i am shy and not outgoing by nature. i learned from my parents to be friends with neighbors. we always loved living in our neighborhood because of all the friends we had.

this is what i do, as learned by my parents:

1. walk a dog daily. i walk two, huge, white, insanely cute dogs every evening after work (no matter the weather) - people always want to meet them.

2. i do my own yard work (yes, in austin) and say hi to people. i think people appreciate to see you making an effort rather than paying someone to mow and blow.

i have to admit, that it helps to live in older neighborhoods where houses are closer together and there isn't a lot of garage parking. i think it's easy for people in the burbs to drive in and out of their garage and never have to talk to their neighbors.

I think it's really important to at least introduce yourself.

Just this afternoon my mom had a near-emergency with her dog who was choking on a stick and she realized she didn't know anyone well enough to call for help in the area despite living there for a while now. Her car was in the shop and living down a long lane at the top of a hill is pretty scary for things like that.

Luckily all was ok, but you never know when you're going to really need a neighbor's help. You don't have to be best friends, but getting to know them is a really, really good idea.

Not being the most sociable person on earth, I'm not really interested in becoming overly friendly with my neighbours. I'm happy to know them just well enough to ask them to bring in my mail and check my house when I'm away (and vice-versa) but really no more. I've had some good ones and not so good, but never really wanted to know the good ones any more than a hello.

I had a rude neighbor whose garden carriage house looked right into my apartment. One day she asked if we could make a fresh start and invited me over for drinks. Although she turned out to be pleasant enough, she was also pretty wacky, and during the visit all I could think of is how to decline the next invitation. After all, what could I say? That I was busy? That I was out of town? And then she could peek over into my apartment as I lay on the couch flipping the channels.

I meet a lot of neighbors at the pool. It's the meet up spot. It's so important to know your neighbors. I always feel safer knowing that someone is looking out for us, that I can get a ride when my car is in the shop, that I can borrow a cup of sugar, that our daughter has good friends closeby.

The best way to meet neighbors is definitely to work on a project in your front yard. When I used to refinish furniture on my parents' driveway, neighbors I didn't know kept coming over to introduce themselves just to see what I was doing. You seem approachable when you're out doing something active and interesting in the open, and if you're alone, people feel a natural inclination to come keep you company. Keep a cooler on hand and invite them to stay for a drink.

@THORNDALE, those are great stories

I wave hello to everyone I recognize as a neighbor whenever I am driving or walking my dog , and usually get a wave or hello back. It's a simple, non-commital friendly gesture, that has led to a few casual friendships. It's almost always reciprocated, and often with a smile.
I don't even know most of their names, but I like them just the way I know them!

Oh, and if they don't wave back, I just assume "they didn't see me" - of course!

maybe this makes me horrible, but when i'm home, i just want to be alone. if i'm out working in my yard, i don't want the pressure of having a conversation. i just want to quite my mind. i also feel sooooo much pressure when i get invited to parties the neighbors are having. in general, i'm a very social person, but a few places are really private for me. home is one of them. i'll nod & all, & sometimes give the random old lady some flowers, & if someone needs help, i'm there & all, but i like it to stop there.

ps my current across the street neighbor is a total nutter. he walks around naked. pees on his front porch. & will make loud fart noises (w/ his mouth & arm) at everyone. O_o

A few years back, we really ramped up getting to know our neighbours. After nearly 15 years of living on the street, we had mostly a nodding acquaintance with many of the people here (not having kids or a dog significantly reduces your connecting with folks. We have jobs that force us to keep odd hours).

This all changed when we had a house fire. The fire had started in the early evening, while we were at work, and by the time we had been alerted (a neighbour happened to remember my husband's place of business and called him there), the whole street had filled up with people whom we didn't recognize, all coming over, offering assistance, emotional support, etc. We later learned who everyone was when one of the women who lives a few doors down, arrange for a fund-raiser, with everyone chipping in to help us cover our losses.

It's been four years since that awful night. We've recovered, and though we did suffer material losses, the whole event not only brought us closer to our neighbours, but helped to create and strengthen the sense of community on the whole street.

@ k2yhe - this is the way it SHOULD be. A sense of community is a valuable thing and results in untold blessings down the road.

I like when I am working in the yard & people stop by to offer advice. Sure, some of it is of the ol' "Well, this is the way I would do it if I were you" style where I mentally roll my eyes & think "yeah, but I am not you". But... sometimes, the unsolicited advice helps when one has moved to a different climate with a different zone than one is used to. And those little starter plants offered by "Mr. I've Lived in This Neighborhood Since God Was a Pup" have really come in handy. Also the loan of tools, time, and the occasional cup of coffee. When we first moved to this new place I quickly realized that the next door neighbor's security lights were brighter than the lights on airport runways. They were so strong that they shone into the windows of the house on the other side of mine! It annoyed the heck out of me! For weeks my hubby & I couldn't sit outside in the evening without those lights blaring down on us from over the six foot fence. We schemed ways of building our side of the fence up high enough to block out the lights. We thought we'd have to move! We quietly resented him & his darn lights. Then, one evening, just as the last of the gorgeous southwest sunset was burning out in the sky & I was imagining how nice it would be to have a fire in the kiva... his lights popped on & blasted my eye balls out of their sockets! I took a deep breath & went next door to have a little chat- expecting the worst but figured it couldn't get any worse than it was already! But I cooled off by the time he answered the door. I invited him over under the premise of wanting to show him something. He had always been a pleasant "Hi, Good morning! Nice day" waving from the driveway kind of guy so he was happy to come on over. As we approached my front portal he gasped & said "Holy crap! I didn't realize how bright my security lights were shining on your yard & front door! Doesn't that bother you?" And I said "That is what I wanted to show you." Well, those lights went right out. The next day he replaced the white bulbs with warmer yellow ones & set the whole thing on a timer to go on from 11pm to daybreak. And he's become a great friend to us! And I learned a really valuable lesson- just talk to the person. Let them know what is bugging you & why, & ask for a compromise. Sure, not everyone will be willing to work with you. Some may even become hostile. But then there was nothing lost for trying anyway. My situation is a case where all's well that ended great! We've even had him over to sip coffee in the evening by the fire. He's brought the S'Mores! (The neighbor on my other side asked me one day "How did you get him to put out those lights? We've lived here for years & have suffered from them. You've only been here a few weeks! What did you say to him?" and I told her "I didn't have to say anything. I just showed him. It took five minutes of my time & I've gained a friend for a lifetime!")