Beyond the polite "Hey, how's it going". Close enough to hang out at each other's apartment, maybe even ask them to water your plants or feed your pet while you're away.
We used to watch GOT and go to bars with our upstairs neighbors. I don’t remember how the introduction started but once we found out we had common interests we started hanging out.
They moved out a year after that. The next upstairs neighbors let their dogs piss on their balcony (which ran down onto my deck) so they can go fly a kite.
I always try to make friends with my neighbours, with varying results. Most of my neighbours I’ve met have been nice, I think most people are. Some people are just shy though. And some are just miserable assholes.
Varies person by person. Some I'm not particularly interested in, some seem satisfied with a head nod. I don't force it.
I do have neighbors I ask to water plants. Usually, I ask a neighbor if I can pay their 8-12 year old kid to do it. Lots of parents like the opportunity for their preteens to own some responsibility. I'm also among the neighbors that goes out after a snow to clear off walkways and cars for the elderly neighbors; that contact tells me which other neighbors are into the local community.
I've been in one super tight knit neighborhood where we did actual community things. Like I setup a little outdoor movie night in the common lawn and hosted a popcorn melodrama. I had the projector, audio, and movie. A couple other parents brought tons of popcorn. Everyone brought chairs and blankets to sit on. The kiddos had a riot eating it and throwing it at the villain on screen. That condo neighborhood is the gold standard I hold in my mind and compare all others I've lived in to.
A handful, never had bad neighbor experiences before. Many pals and some watch my pets or get packages.
Nope. Neighbors in apartments change far too frequently for various reasons - life changes, rent hikes, property issues, etc. It very rarely seems worth the time to invest in a potential acquaintanceship. The only people that ever seem to be eager to be friends in my experiences end up being the elderly and the younger folks anyway.
It also makes it far more awkward when you have to eventually have a neighborly conversation and ask them to not leave their trash in the hallway or keep their volume down or something else minor.
I've noticed it's mostly the elderly who try to engage in conversations more, I usually chalk it up to them being more lonely and having a less busy schedule
I think that's a part of it. They're also usually the ones who are likely to end up being longer-term residents so they're more invested.
I don't mind chatting, but usually when a I'm outside my apartment I'm in the process of doing something. Personally I hate getting trapped in small talk when I'm just trying to spend 60 seconds to take my trash out or walk to my car.
Usually just greet or have short smalltalks and be on my way, but it’s nice to have a good relationship with 1-2 neighbors to help each other water plants, receive parcels and so on.
About five years ago a new neighbor moved in downstairs and put a note up with her number saying who she is and that she is happy to get to know her new neighbors. Unusually forward but cool, so I wrote her and we met. We became running buddies, she sometimes took care of my dog, I helped out with handiwork, or we just hung out together and talked. She moved out a year later but we are still very good friends to this day.
In my current apartment I unfortunately don’t know anyone. The only neighbor I had a good relationship with is gone and the others keep to themselves.
i didn't talk much to the people at my last place but i'm going to make an effort now that i've moved. seems like a good safety net to have in case something happens.
The little old lady next to me says hello and sometimes let's me know if there's a package waiting for me.
The people on the other side I don't know. They don't seem especially friendly or unfriendly, but I'm happy to live and let live.
My wife and I hung out with a couple just a few times. They were cool, but it's hard enough to find time when my wife and I are both off and awake; lining that up with two other working adults (plus they have a kid) was impossible to do regularly.
I can get along okay with pretty much anybody, but most people I've met have proven to be a little too incurious or even hateful for me to want to go out of my way to spend time with. With every passing year, I value my time more and more (as I'm sure almost everybody must) so it's hard to justify setting time aside for building friendships with people if I don't naturally want to hang out with them. That having been said, I work rotating 12 hour shifts, so I'm not off every night and weekend like a lot of people are, and even if I am off I may be swinging my sleep schedule to prepare for not being off. A lot of people just can't understand that yes, I may be off that day, but I didn't get home until after 0500 and I need to sleep at some point. Or yes I'm off that day, but I need to be in bed by 2000 at the absolute latest because I need to get up at 0230 for work the next day.
I would recommend making a friend or two with neighbors if your work schedule isn't as shitty as mine is lol. Especially if your neighbors suck less than a lot of mine have. Just don't force a friendship where there doesn't need to be one just so you can feel better about asking them to water your plants while you're away for the weekend. If they're cool, they'll do it for you just knowing that they can ask you to return the favor down the road.
