by Zed Myers

We all must go through this process when selecting a new neighbourhood to move into. Apart from the myriad number of features about the home itself we must consider, there are a number of factors that make a neighbourhood feel more like a community — a place to belong.

1. Scout the presence of urban spaces

Who doesn’t love a nice sunny spot to sit and have their lunch?! I know that people watching is one of my favourite pass times. It’s nice to have a public space in your ‘hood to say hi to your neighbours and mix with the locals. The longer you live in an area, the more likelihood of getting to know the other residents and forming some lasting bonds. A strong sense of community belonging has been shown to have a positive effect on your mental health and can prevent stroke and heart disease, especially in the aging population (Kim & Kawachi, 2017).

2. Is there a community centre close by?

Community centres are the hub of any locale. The perfect place to exercise, go for a swim, catch the latest game on tv, shoot some hoops, or take a dance class. The number of services available can be quite shocking. There is something for everyone! I first started taking ballroom dance in my teens at the local rec centre and loved it! So good to keep your mind and body active while making some new friends in the community. Don’t stop at dance! Pottery, martial arts or tai chi are all very enjoyable activities to enjoy with others in your area. A strong sense of community belonging has been linked to higher rates of self-reported mental health levels (Michalski et al., 2020). Local community centres also are great for public safety as they are often evacuation sites to congregate if a natural disaster were to occur. Safety first!

3. How green and (blue) is your area?

One of the first things I notice about a neighbourhood I really like are the number of trees and parks. I’m a sucker for big old trees and hearing the sound of the leaves rustling in the wind. Having a number of parks in your area provides so many more options for places to hang out, have a picnic or play frisbee. Access to water (blue spaces) such as the local sea wall or lake has such a calming effect on the mind. The best place to catch the sunset! I especially love it when there are bands or musicians playing on the sea wall and people pause to enjoy the ambiance. While having lots of green and blue space does not have a direct impact on mental health, it has been significantly shown to lower stress levels (Rugel et al., 2019) — a more indirect way of boosting your mood!

4. Walkability, presence of bike lanes and closeness to amenities

We all gotta eat! It is such a great quality of life to be able to walk or cycle to your local supermarket or cute little produce stand. I personally love being a regular at my neighbourhood fruit stand. The savings are fantastic and so nice to see familiar faces at the shops to let you know of the choicest items to bring home. I am pretty much a fixture at my local Whole Foods and the flower lady there always helps me pick the best houseplants and flower combinations to make the most stunning bouquets. This level of neighbourhood cohesion satisfies me on a very deep level, so I encourage you to bond with your favourite local vendors as well.

5. Proximity to friends and family

Picking a location where you can zip over to your bestie for a quick catch up, or being able to stop by your parents on the weekend to have lunch is a great comfort to have. Social isolation rates are on the rise, especially for our aging population. Having the ability to easily make your way to your loved ones’ homes adds so much to your quality of life. Urban living can be lonely at times and have a sense of anonymity. Making it easier to access the confidants in our lives is an invaluable social resource to make sure we are emotionally supported and ready to take on the urban jungle. In the wise words of the Golden Girls, “Thank you for being a friend.”

References

Kim, E. and Kawachi, I., 2017. Perceived Neighborhood Social Cohesion and Preventive Healthcare Use. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 53(2), pp.e35-e40.

Michalski, C., Diemert, L., Helliwell, J., Goel, V. and Rosella, L., 2020. Relationship between sense of community belonging and self-rated health across life stages. SSM – Population Health, 12, p.100676.

Rugel, E., Carpiano, R., Henderson, S. and Brauer, M., 2019. Exposure to natural space, sense of community belonging, and adverse mental health outcomes across an urban region. Environmental Research, 171, pp.365-377.