Neighbors are the ones we live near—this statement states that neighbors are the people we live with. In actuality, neighbors are the people we work within proximity to every day. Rather than choosing one individual from a specific town or city, we should choose people from diverse locations and backgrounds.

Neighborhoods are groups of people who share space together and interact on a constant basis. While it may be true that neighbors often live on the same block or street, they are not limited to those relationships. Neighbors are people who do not all live in the same city or state, or even the same country. A neighbor could be an employee at a nearby business or a fellow student in a class at the local college. In 2004, there were 5.5 billion mobile phone subscribers worldwide. With over 3 billion mobile phone users worldwide in 2014, it is evident that most people in the world live far from their neighbors. In fact, it is difficult to think of any continent or country that does not have a significant number of people who rarely interact with their neighbors. Our neighbors could be people with whom we share no language, culture, or religion. For instance, the populations of many major metropolitan areas are so large that it is impossible for neighbors to communicate in a common language. While this is the case, the proximity of the residents in general is one reason for such large populations. Large populations allow for many people to live in close proximity to each other, thus eliminating the need for public transportation, which is expensive. This proximity, however, has not prevented some people from developing strong ties with their geographically distant neighbors. This is especially evident in the case of refugees. Those forced to flee their homes due to war, famine, or other disasters often face persecution from their neighbors. These neighbors often exhibit hostility towards the refugees, refusing to allow them to work or reside near them, or even threatening to call the local authorities to have them removed. Such actions suggest that despite distance, neighbors are people who share space together.

It is not surprising that many people do not interact with their neighbors on a daily basis. In fact, there are even certain neighborhoods in which few residents know each other. True, neighbors are people who live in close proximity to one another, but those people do not necessarily have to be people with whom we interact on a daily basis. In fact, for some individuals, the best neighbors are those with whom they never interact at all. The relationship that one has with neighbors can vary depending on one’s personal situation. A neighbor who watches over one’s home while it is unoccupied, or who provides security for an elderly resident, is a good neighbor. Conversely, a neighbor who engages in illegal activities and harasses the occupant of the home is a bad neighbor.

The quality of a good neighbor is debatable. The definition that has been used in the past, and which still exists today, is that a good neighbor is someone who is trustworthy, helpful, and polite. However, many individuals believe that a good neighbor is one who is willing to help out in times of need. This is evidenced in regions around the world where neighbors come together to assist one another when disaster strikes. The earthquake in Haiti in 2010 was a huge disaster. Many buildings collapsed, killing thousands of people and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. Despite the tremendous damage, many Haitians banded together to assist their neighbors. They salvaged whatever materials they could from the collapsed buildings and used them to rebuild homes for their friends and neighbors. It is clear that people who share space together can be good neighbors.

What about those who live in cities with neighborhoods that are full of crime? Should these bad neighbors be considered part of the neighborhood? Although crime is a serious problem in many metropolitan areas, it is still possible to have a positive relationship with such individuals. If a child is walking home from school, does he or she feel safe? Is the neighbor’s property well-kept? Are neighbors seen walking their dogs at any time of day? These actions indicate that neighbors are people with whom one shares space. If an individual feels that his or her home, car, or business is unsafe because of the actions of neighbors, then that person should contact the appropriate law enforcement authorities. In the meantime, he or she can work to improve the safety of his or her neighborhood.