I am new to the area, and would like to connect and form relationships with people in my neighborhood. I know I can knock on the doors of houses on the block to introduce myself, but I would like to be able to meet people within a 15 minute walk, especially socially available children and elders that I wouldn't meet in the normal ways (through my job, or my friend network). Are there apps or online groups for this? I have heard mixed reviews of Nextdoor and am slightly afraid of it, but maybe there's something else. I live in Berkeley.
I joined Nextdoor and had to mute it. Lately it's become an unrelenting police blotter with constant posts about the latest break in, car theft, etc. It's an accurate depiction alas, of what's happening in the Bay Area, but I don't really want to read about it non stop. I do use it to pass on free items etc, but I haven't found it at all useful to meet people. When I had my son (now much older), I met a lot of moms at the playground or at the local library, or local community programs like the music program at the library, etc.
Not sure why you feel afraid of Nextdoor. Yes, there are some idiots who post there, but YOU have control over your contact information. It's probably one of the best ways to find people with kids of like age, and you can limit your post to the closest neighborhoods. Just exercise care with how much information you post, and do NOT include your phone number or address in a public post. [I think you probably know that.] Anyone who is interested can DM you in the ND system [and you can block them if something doesn't feel right]. Welcome to Berkeley.
Welcome! It is worth asking a neighbor or two if there is a neighborhood e-mail list. Our area has a Google Group that people can post questions to, advertise events, share information, etc. When the weather is warmer, maybe your neighborhood will have a block party. There is also a Being Neighborly Berkeley Facebook group, and a Berkeley Family Friends group, though they are not neighborhood-specific.
I have met neighbors in so many ways. Neighbors are an important, intimate layer to the fabric of our lives so I love your question. I would encourage you to just start with human in person greetings. Start with a note left at a few houses/apartments right next to yours: "Hi, I'm A. in Apartment B. Here is my #." You could deliver a plate of cookies to a few neighbors. Ask if there is a block party or a text group chat already going. Just walk around your block once a day and see who's around, you can always stop to chat and introduce yourself. It takes time but you can speed it up with some gentle effort. Nothing against apps, but don't be shy and they can't yet replace you-in-human-form approaching people with a smile. This is one area of urban life that should be pretty simple to improve with a bit of thought!
I had a lost package last week and met two older neighbors while tracking it down last week.
It's not directly related to meeting people, but we have come to know neighbors through our Buy Nothing group on Facebook. I don't know where you live, but you likely have one for your neighborhood. Some areas also have "Being Neighborly" Facebook groups or other similar ones. I stopped using Nextdoor several years ago because I found it very political and there were a lot of debates. If you have young kids, another way to meet people is at your local playground. It's a long time from now, but in August there is the National Night Out where neighborhoods host block parties to get to know each other.
Highly recommend just talking to people. Take walks with your kids, meet other families out with their kids.
If you need more of a reason to connect, ask people for things! Can be just a piece of information, help, or a physical object. It really doesn't matter, but people need to be needed.
Good luck~!
Agree, don’t need an app, just talk to them. Another idea - hold a garage sale! That’ll give them a reason to walk by and chat.