88% of Estonians greet their neighbors at least once a week

According to the "Happy Neighborhoods Study" commissioned by Bonava, while greeting neighbors or talking to them is fairly common, spending time together is not yet a frequent practice.

According to the study, 88 percent of respondents said hello to their neighbors once a week, and 64 percent engaged in conversation weekly. However, when looking at what joint activities people are willing to do with their neighbors, 15% answered that they are not interested in any shared activities with neighbors.

According to Lauri Laanoja, Bonava's Estonia sales and marketing director, the environment outside the apartment walls is a very important selection criterion for many home seekers. "We increasingly hear feedback from home buyers that in addition to convenient access to public transport and by car, a diverse and safe neighborhood plays a major role in choosing the location of a new home," explained Laanoja.

The study confirms this as well, showing that for Estonians, the most important factors when choosing a residential area are its safety, cleanliness, and accessibility. Furthermore, people are willing to actively invest in the well-being of the neighborhood. Every third respondent would be willing to participate in activities organized for the neighborhood's benefit, such as painting, watering, or tidying up the area. Additionally, 30% would be interested in joint gatherings, such as a neighborhood barbecue.

Residents themselves also value diverse outdoor spaces that support joint activities. "When my nieces and nephews visit, we can choose between at least ten playgrounds to go to," said Liis Velsker, a health enthusiast and writer living in Bonava's Uus-Mustamäe development. "There's a gym here where I can do some exercises after a run. There are really a lot of different activities here outside the home."

Liis was also surprised by the sense of community in the Uus-Mustamäe area when she moved there. "Neighbors greet each other. Living in the city, I haven't experienced that much," explained Liis, adding that she even knows the names of some neighbors and they joke together.

Increasingly, new development areas are being created as complete living environments that offer neighbors more opportunities to spend time together or pursue various activities in the courtyard. "We believe that by investing in creating an interesting outdoor space, it fosters a sense of community, creates safety, and develops good relationships between neighbors," said Bonava sales and marketing director Lauri Laanoja.

The "Happy Neighborhoods Study" was conducted last year by the research firm Norstat on behalf of Bonava.