How to Get to Know Your Neighbors and Their Past

When moving into a new place, or having new people move next to you, you cannot always know who your neighbors are. Polite small talk, the occasional wave Hello and glancing over next door will only get you so far. In this day and age, it is more important than ever to learn the truth about your neighbors and get to know more about their past.

It will help you form bonds with the people who live in your neighborhood, and also know who to be on the lookout for. So, if you want to know more about the people who share your zip code, here is how to do it.

Get involved in neighborhood activities – yes, not everyone is a people person, but if you want to get to know your neighbors’ names, at the very least, you should get involved in neighborhood activities or groups. You can join a neighborhood watch, a texting group, host or go to neighborly dinner parties, and not hesitate to speak to your neighbors. It will help you form a connection and get to know the people who live next to you on more than just a basic level.

Search sex offender registries – as of 2020, there are nearly 900,000 registered sex offenders in the United States. While some registered sex offenders let their neighbors know about their past, there are those who do not disclose this information. So, it is up to you to find out who in your neighborhood has a violent criminal past, especially if you have children.

As information about registered sex offenders is available to the public, you can use search engines to find the names of registered sex offenders who live in your area. To do so, you need to type in the name of your neighborhood, city, and state of residence along with the term “sex offenders” into the search engine of your choosing, such as Google. Once you do, you will receive several results, like maps with the locations of sex offenders or a list of these individuals.

Perform a background check – for a more detailed record of your neighbors’ past, you can use background check directories, such as GoLookUp, to find information about people in your neighborhood you do not know very well. Background check sites aggregate data from public records and provide detailed reports that include valuable information, like aliases, criminal records, contact information, sex offender registry, arrest records, court records, marriage records, mugshots, divorce records, and much more. 

The search is performed in a matter of moments, so you can tap into reliable information about people in your neighborhood in no time at all. To perform a search, you will need to provide the website either the full name, phone number, email address, or physical address of the person in question.

Welcome newcomers to the neighborhood – if you moved into a new neighborhood or someone new has moved into yours, it is always a good idea to make al little welcome treat to meet the neighbors. It does not have to be something big or expensive, especially if you are the new guys on the block and you do not know anyone yet.

You can buy or make treats/gifts, and bring them to your neighbors as an ice breaker, and to get to know them. It will help you learn more about the people who live next to you and also make connections with the people you will see practically every day.

Getting to know your neighbors will not only make your neighborhood a pleasant place to live in, but it will also provide your insight into their lives and past. Being proactive is the best way to know people, and it is up to get to know the people who live next door.