Yeah, yeah… social media shmocial shmedia, everyone seems to have their own version of a life altering social media idea.  It’s truly not very often that we come across a great idea.  But today… today we may have found one!

Remember back to the days of yore with block parties, neighborhood picnics and when neighbors used to know a little more about you than what color car you drive?  The days when you could trust that guy next door to keep an eye on your house while away for the weekend?  Maybe even watch your dog so you don’t have to board them.  When you could trust little WhiteGlossy to run over to a friends house or ride a bike,  and it not be within eye-shot.  The days when you knew your neighbors!!!

The people at Nextdoor.com remember that nostalgia that made America what it really is… and they’re bringing back the neighborly love that we all deserve!  They’re bringing back the Neighborhood!!!

It’s a brilliant idea that goes back to the way Facebook started out.  You start up a private social group which only allows in people with a home address within your area… then you invite neighbors through old-school “Hey howdies”, emails or you can even print out cool flyers and leave it on their door-steps.  Then… you grow.  Get to know the people around you… start up a conversation… organize a block party… and watch the magic happen!!!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nd3Y_ZyieQ]

It’s been a while since I was this excited about a social media site working!!  Not just because there is an incredibly hot single mom a block over from camp White Glossy that I’ve been dying to meet… but because I’m one hell of a neighborly guy, and I want to show it (also, my special recipie for WGUB potatoe salad will blow people away!!!).  I hope you can get as excited as I am… and start spreading love, the neighborly way… nay, the American way!

Here’s a little more about Nextdoor.com (from their site) and what they are hoping to do:

What is Nextdoor?

Nextdoor is a private social network for your neighborhood. It’s the easiest way for you and your neighbors—and only you and your neighbors—to talk online and make all of your lives better in the real world. And it’s free.

Hundreds of neighborhoods are already using Nextdoor to build happier, safer places to call home.

People are using Nextdoor to:

  • Find a new home for an outgrown bike
  • Track down a trustworthy babysitter
  • Quickly get the word out about a break-in
  • Find out who does the best paint job in town
  • Organize a garage sale
  • Ask for help keeping an eye out for a lost dog
  • Finally call that nice man down the street by his first name.

Nextdoor’s mission is to bring back a sense of community to the neighborhood, one of the most important communities in each of our lives.

Safe and private. Like a neighborhood should be.

Fences are sometimes necessary. But online privacy is always necessary. Nextdoor makes it safe to share online the kinds of things you’d be okay sharing with your neighbors in person.

Here’s how:

  • To be part of a Nextdoor neighborhood, you have to live in it. Period.
  • Every neighbor has to verify their home address.
  • Every neighbor signs in with their real name.
    Just like in person.
  • Your website is protected by password and encrypted by HTTPS.
  • We never share your info with advertisers. Only you and your neighbors can see what’s shared.
Who is Nextdoor?

We created this company because we believe that the neighborhood is one of the most important and useful communities in a person’s life. We hope that neighbors everywhere will use the Nextdoor platform to build stronger and safer neighborhoods around the world.

If you are interested in joining our team, please view our current job openings.

Based in San Francisco, California, Nextdoor was founded in 2010 and is funded by Benchmark Capital and Shasta Ventures.

Our manifesto

We are for neighbors.

For neighborhood barbecues. For multi-family garage sales. For trick-or-treating.

We’re for slowing down, children at play.

We’re for sharing a common hedge and an awesome babysitter.

We’re for neighborhood watch. Emergency response. And for just keeping an eye
out for a lost cat.

We believe waving hello to the new neighbor says, “Welcome” better than any doormat.

We believe technology is a powerful tool for making neighborhoods stronger, safer places
to call home.

We’re all about online chats that lead to more clothesline chats.

We believe fences are sometimes necessary, but online privacy is always necessary.

We believe strong neighborhoods not only improve our property value, they improve
each one of our lives.

We believe that amazing things can happen by just talking with the people next door.

We are Nextdoor. We are simply you and your neighbors, together.

If you have any questions or comments, email us anytime at [email protected].