How To Master Suburban Life: What Matters Most?
This is a collaborative post.
Most people, especially families, live in suburban areas. However, there’s surprisingly little literature on how to make this kind of lifestyle as good as it can possibly be.
Fortunately, that’s where this post comes in handy. We look at some of the ways you can master suburban lifestyles and how to make the most of them.
So, what should you be doing?
Improve Your Block Party Game
One of the first things you’ll want to do is improve your block party game. While it might sound extreme, getting to know people in your community is one of the best ways to become the centre of the local network.
If the idea of a block party scares you, then why not a street party? Inviting over neighbours, introducing yourself, and generally being the life and soul of the area is a good position to be in. Once people have had a good time with you, they’ll start to create positive associations.
Maintain The Space At The Front Of Your Home
Next, you’ll want to think about how you’re going to maintain the space at the front of your home. Even though it’s probably public property, it still matters a great deal in suburban areas.
Start by getting the tools you need. If you live in a cold part of the country prone to snow, then a snow blower is helpful. You can use these to remove piles of snow from access routes while also eliminating it from your neighbour’s property at the same time.
You could also get a leaf blower. Again, these make you popular with the neighbours, as long as you use them at the right time of day.
Find A Suburb With What You Need
It’s also a good idea to find a suburb with the amenities and facilities you need, especially if you’re moving. As MGP Property points out, it’s not just the quality of the construction that matters, but whether you can have the lifestyle you want when you arrive.
Therefore, look for properties with schools, medical facilities and nearby food shopping. Figure out whether you can do most of the things that are important for your lifestyle within a 10-minute radius. More often than not, you’ll find out that you can if you plan properly.
Turn Your Garage Into An Organised Space
Another thing you’ll want to do as someone obsessed with suburban living is turn your garage into an organised space. The more utility it provides you, the better.
You can do this in several ways. One of the best approaches is to think about the purpose of the room. Which hobby is it going to help you fulfill?
Once you have a clear picture of this, you can start to rearrange it.
Another thing you can do is organise it better as a traditional garage. For example, you could lay down an epoxy floor, get proper tools cabinets, and build a workbench. Again, this facility is helpful and something that people living in your area will appreciate when they need a favour.
Keep Your Garden Clean And Tidy
Of course, suburban life also comes with various duties and things you must do. These include keeping your garden tidy and making sure that everything is in its proper place. If you don’t do this, then it can massively harm your reputation with your neighbours, and you may not fit in as well as you want.
Start by pulling up weeds and trimming all your edges. Make sure that the lawn is mown and that you pay particular attention to the front of your home — the part that most people see.
The more you can keep everything tidy, the more you’ll blend into the background. Neighbours won’t immediately judge you or assume that you’re undergoing financial difficulties.
Know The Local Rules
If you’re a member of a homeowners’ association, make sure that you know all the rules. These can vary substantially from one street to the next.
Even if there isn’t an active association, there may still be various regulations and ordinances that apply to your area. For example, you might not be allowed to light fires, even for cooking.
Once you understand the local rules, you put yourself in a much better position. You’re able to basically sail through without causing any issues and, again, that can help you integrate with the people living nearby. You don’t want to create a ruckus.
Be Friendly When Walking The Dog
If you can be friendly when walking the dog or just going to the store, then that’s also a great idea. The more chipper you can appear, the more people around you will begin to trust you, and the better your life will become.
In fact, walking the dog is probably the best way to meet people. It’s a way to show you care and prove that you’re able to stick with a routine. You also have a pretence to strike up conversations with other dog owners, which is fun.
Host A BBQ
Another option is to host a BBQ for people nearby. It’s not quite as intense as a block party, but most of your neighbours will probably enjoy the free food more.
BBQ hosting is pretty simple. If you’re not sure how to do it, though, you can always hire someone to do all the cooking for you. Most cities have BBQ experts you can reach out to for a fee. They’ll prepare the meat and all the trimmings so that everyone has a good time, and you can focus on talking to people.
Get A Practical Family Car
Finally, you can dominate suburban life by making sure you have a practical family car. The right vehicle is essential for getting into the middle of town.
If you have kids, it’s a good idea to get some sort of mini van with sliding doors. These are great if you want to put a lot of people in the back. A smaller vehicle is also good for shopping and parking.
