Neighbors are taking a new approach at staying connected with each other through the free social networking website, Nextdoor.
The website is an online forum where neighbors can post topics of interest around the area to keep residents informed of what’s happening in their specific neighborhood.
After confirming your address, members on the site can post topics that are directly related to a specific neighborhood. Only residents of the specific community have access to the posts.
In “The Neighborhood Report,” a survey conducted by Nextdoor, results showed that “difficulty connecting” was a main reason preventing neighbors from getting to know each other better.
Approximately 9% of Americans are involved with neighborhood watch programs, and only 35% of people are even interested in what’s happening in their neighborhoods, according to the report.
The report also states that through the survey, having a strong and safe neighborhood is good for health and well-being.
Discussion topics on the site allow neighbors to inform each other on various issues affecting their areas, such as a suspicious person or car that has been frequenting the streets or recent burglaries in the neighborhood.
With authorization, local law enforcement can post on Nextdoor but are not allowed to view feeds or comment threads.
Topics also include rooms for rent, recommendations for handy men and contractors in the area or vehicles that need to slow down on kid-friendly streets. Users can post about upcoming local events, start discussion topics and also post photos of missing animals.
The site also boasts an app where residents can stay informed with notifications if they’re not at a computer.
From the findings in the report, neighbors want a way to look out for one another, stay connected and ultimately be good neighbors.