Unit 4 : Lesson 2: Planning for monthly expenses in your new home

Looking further

Your home, your community

Investing in a home means much more than simply buying a piece of property and a house. It means investing in the life of a community. Investing in your community can mean different things to different people. Here are a few ways you can help make your community a better place to live.

Get to know the people in your community

Getting to know your neighbors can be very rewarding. But people are often so busy they don’t have the time to get to know each other. One way to meet your neighbors is to participate in a neighborhood yard sale. You can buy things you need for your house and meet neighbors at the same time. If you like sports, you may find sports activities in your neighborhood. You can also meet neighbors at children’s fairs, music events, or local art shows. It’s also a good idea to get to know your local neighborhood businesses and support them. Not only can you make valuable contacts, but you can support the economy of your neighborhood. Local political and religious meetings are another way to meet your neighbors.

Participate in community events

As soon as you move in, you may want to subscribe to the local newspaper. You often can get the first few months at a low price. Some neighborhood papers are free.Read the sections telling about local news. You will find out about issues important to your neighborhood and about upcoming events. You may learn about community meetings you can attend. If you have children, you can also get involved in your child’s school. At the beginning of the school year, many schools have a special open house where you can learn about the school. Often there will be activities designed to involve parents. Many teachers are happy to have you visit or help out. Many religious organizations have a variety of ongoing service projects.

Help make your community a safer and better place

In many communities, neighbors join together to prevent crime by organizing a neighborhood crime watch. Members of a neighborhood crime watch work with the police to learn about situations when they should call for police assistance and what things to watch for in the neighborhood that may lead to a crime. Police also show people how to make their homes safer, how to protect themselves from crime, and how neighbors can watch out for the safety of each other. If your neighborhood doesn’t have a neighborhood crime watch group, you can call the crime prevention unit of your police department to get more information about how to start a program in your area. Other community projects you might get involved in include neighborhood recycling or cleanup projects; food co-ops, farmer’s markets, or food banks; and housing rehabilitation or community home construction projects.

Register and vote in elections

Finally, remember to register and vote in your new community. Your voice and your vote count!

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