Cardiff residents are showing their Welsh community spirit is alive and thriving, with 70 per cent saying they’re good friends with the people next door. From keeping watch over homes while neighbours jet off on holiday (72 per cent), to taking in their parcels (70 per cent), locals in the capital know how to keep next door sweet.
The survey, which was commissioned by Lily O’Brien’s, has revealed what makes a top-notch neighbour in 2025. Across the UK, simply always saying hello was considered a good neighbourly trait (46 per cent).
Other acts of neighbourly love include watering plants (21 per cent), lending tools (22 per cent), and always throwing the football back, with 18 per cent admitting this keeps the peace.
One in five (18 per cent) say nothing beats receiving a thoughtful gift like chocolates from next door, while 15 per cent love it when someone picks up litter from the front garden. A further 14 per cent reckon setting up a street WhatsApp group helps them feel closer to those around them.
A friendly dinner invite came in at 19 per cent, while more than a quarter (26 per cent) said looking after pets while owners are away is a sure-fire sign of a good neighbour.
According to the data, eight in ten think having good neighbours is important, with 58 per cent insisting they are vital for happiness at home. Two thirds (66 per cent) believe neighbourly bonds are the secret to happier communities.
Why local friendships matter
Professor Andrea Wigfield, Director at the Centre for Loneliness Studies, is working with Lily O’Brien’s chocolates which commissioned the research. Explaining why local friendships help reduce loneliness, she said……
“It’s clear from the research that having a close relationship with the people around us can make a huge difference to our lives, not only when it comes to them taking in a parcel but also to our overall wellbeing.
Forming friendships within our local community or neighbourhood not only helps prevent and reduce loneliness by supporting meaningful connections with other people, but also enhances our sense of connection to place. It fosters a sense of belonging within the local neighbourhood, helping us feel more welcome, accepted, and confident to be ourselves.”
Despite a whopping 92 per cent believing they are a good neighbour themselves, 39 per cent admit they only know the person next door’s first name.
On average, Brits chat to neighbours 13 times a month, however it has been 39 days since most last had a proper conversation.
The five neighbour “types” revealed
The research also uncovered the five classic neighbour “types”. The Watcher is the most common, with 39 per cent saying they live next to one – always at the window, always in the know.
Then comes The Ghost, spotted rarely but definitely there, with 34 per cent. The Elected Official follows closely at 32 per cent, the go-to for advice and information.
13 per cent admit to living alongside a Party Animal with constant noise and endless guests, while others have encountered The Borrower – forever asking for sugar, tools, or even your bath.
Where the friendliest neighbours live…….
When it comes to the most neighbourly cities, Sunderland takes the crown with 80 per cent of residents saying they are good friends with the people next door.
Birmingham follows at 78 per cent, with Newcastle and Manchester close behind on 73 per cent.
Even though most of us have great neighbours, one in ten (13 per cent) have moved house because they didn’t get along with the people next door, while nearly half (49 per cent) would like friendlier people next to them.
As the festive season approaches, 64 per cent agree that small acts of kindness, from exchanging gifts to popping round for a cuppa, go a long way.
Almost half, 48 per cent, say giving and receiving presents like chocolates (46 per cent), a bottle of wine (33 per cent), or home-baked treats (25 per cent) helps build bonds.
Broadcaster, podcaster and author Angela Scanlon is partnering with Lily O’Brien’s this Christmas. She told us….
“Christmas is a time for celebrating with loved ones and connecting with those nearest to us. Building friendships with neighbours is about more than having someone to rely on – it’s about feeling at home in your community and creating a sense of belonging. Someone minding your key or sending sugar over the fence. Whether it’s hand delivering a card or dropping by with a box of chocolates, why not reach out to your neighbours this festive season? You never know, you might just make a new lifelong friend.”
Explaining how to build better bonds with neighbours, Professor Wigfield said…..
“There are lots of simple ways to bring back the neighbourly spirit – it can start with something as small as saying hello instead of rushing by. Take the time for a quick chat, and before long you might find yourself sharing a coffee, a slice of cake, or even a few chocolates together. Whatever you decide to do, you can’t go wrong by sharing food. Sharing food is a wonderful way to create new bonds and strengthen existing ones – whether it’s over a cuppa, a piece of cake, a meal, or even something as simple as a chocolate.”
This Christmas, celebrate the people who make your street special. Nominate your neighbours HERE for the chance to win luxurious Lily O’Brien’s chocolates for every household on your street.
FROM TAKING IN PARCELS, WATERING PLANTS AND GIFTING CHOCOLATES – THE TOP 30 WAYS TO KEEP NEXT DOOR SWEET, REVEALED…..
