I've seen various useful suggestions woven through many threads about neighbors in Switzerland - unfortunately most complaints it seems.

I was thinking it might be helpful to get some ideas into one thread and thought I'd start by passing on a tip from a friend here on the forum. It recently helped my family.

I know that establishing a relationship with neighbors who speak German can be tough when you move in. But with all the complaints about neighbors calling cops and leaving mean notes, I do think there is a way to help reduce the likelihood of this happening.

My husband and I did a handmade photograph card and inserted a typed note in German and English. We basically told the neighbors a bit about ourselves such as our nationalities, age, jobs, professions and what we love about Switzerland. The hope was to make us less anonymous and more accessible. We gave neighbors our phone number in case they needed help with anything or needed to contact us for any reason. We left a little sweet treat as well. We actually got lovely notes back in response, along with contact numbers.

So thanks again to my friend for the tip and it would be fab to hear of something you did that made life easier and well, more neighborly. ;p

We did the same but without phone numbers & sweets

Responses were positive, some neighbours suggested we should get together for a drink... so we organized an apero and about 70% of the neighbours (=people in same building) turned up. We were all in our thirties, and it was great fun.

We now have a normal relationship with our neighbours ie. we have a little chat every now and again, they can come to us if they need something or have a problem, and we go to them, but we're not like best friends.

I heard the Vienese way of promoting togetherness works very well over there.

http://wien.spoe.at/allgemein/respekt-ja-bitte


Coexistence is possible, dear neighbour
Zusammenleben ist machbar, lieber Nachbar!