One of the pillars of life at Santa Rita Ranch — or as we call them, Ranch Codes — is getting to know your neighbors. And it’s not just because living up to Ranch Code No. 3 makes life a little easier. There are some very tangible personal and professional benefits of knowing your neighbors. Let’s take a look:
Get to Know Your Neighbors
Safety, Support & Socialization
Communities with close-knit neighbors are often safer, with neighbors watching out for each other. A stay-at-home parent might notice strange cars or people during the day. Next-door buddies can ask others to watch their homes — or even their pets — while on vacation. Alert neighbors will notice deliveries and might call next-door friends or take in the package until they get home. Neighbors are also a built-in support system and are often there during emergencies. And parents of young children are grateful for parents with older children who can babysit.
Neighbors are also a wonderful source of information — where to shop, where to eat, where to enjoy local entertainment annual festivals, and more. Those who have lived in the area for a while might also have recommendations on lawn service, pool cleaning, setting up holiday lights installation, and more.
But perhaps one of the greatest benefits of knowing your neighbors is the socialization that benefits mind and body. Some of the benefits of being socially connected include:
- Boosts mood and reduces stress
- Improves quality of life and well-being
- Reduces risk of chronic disease
- Slows cognitive decline
- Increases likelihood of making healthier choices
How wonderful is it to have those social connections and benefits right next door and down the street? Also, friendly neighbors build a sense of community that can transform your neighborhood into a hometown.
Networking
Every person you know could potentially advance your career or business, even if that’s not the sole reason for knowing them. Looking for a new job? Talking about your job search with your neighbors might reveal someone who’s looking to hire. And on the flip side, you might find that employee you’ve been seeking for your own business.
Residents of planned communities with schools, churches, and more might have opportunities to collaborate on fundraisers, field trips, and other activities. Demonstrating your abilities his way could lead to business partnerships or mentorship opportunities in the future.
Civil Settling of Disagreements
Let’s face it, neighbors live in a shared space. They may have their own home, but they might share a fence. A tree might reach over a roof. The street in front of your home might be crowded with cars if a neighbor is having a party. When you build positive relationships with your neighbors, you are more likely able to resolve any issues civilly — or they may be avoided entirely. Friendly neighbors might let those around them know about an upcoming event — and even invite you. They are also more likely to keep an eye on how their trees, landscaping, and more might affect others and go the extra mile to keep items maintained.
Meeting the Neighbors
Meeting those who live around you might be as easy as baking cookies and knocking on a door. Neighborhood parks and pools are also opportunities for kids and their parents to make new friends. Volunteering at schools in your community will help you meet others who most likely also live in your community.
Some master-planned communities, such as Santa Rita Ranch, have lifestyle directors who host an array of social events for residents. From new resident meet-ups to evenings without the kids to family-friendly festivals, there is a wide-range of activities.
Technology can also make it easy to meet the neighbors. Facebook, TownSq, NextDoor, and other apps connect people in your immediate area who might be looking for recommendations, needing help, or providing general information on what’s happening in your town.
Santa Rita Ranch Makes It Easy
The ability to get to know your neighbors is a pretty important concept at Santa Rita Ranch, and the community has been designed to foster neighborly relations, with amenities that are meant to be enjoyed together. The new Ranch Camp offers pickleball and a lawn for cornhole tournaments. The Hub has a BBQ barn and food truck lot where people can gather and dine together. The Green Play Park invites neighborly competition on the basketball and sand volleyball courts. The Wellness Barn hosts fitness classes. Numerous parks and playgrounds dot the landscape, and joggers can get to know each other during daily runs on our trails. And if you haven’t met your neighbors on your own, our lifestyle director _____ has an event or two that will get you out of the house and talking to other residents.
Want to be Our Neighbor?
More than 700 people decided to make the move to Santa Rita Ranch last year; we invite you to come out and see why. Start your visit at the Farm House Welcome Center to learn all about Santa Rita Ranch and what’s next for our community. See our amenities as you make your way to our model homes to talk with builders. With dozens of homes ready now and before the end of the year, you’ll be calling yourself a Santa Rita Ranch resident in no time!
