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In fact, a Pew Research study found a third of Americans don't know any of their neighbors by name. But, as is the case with so many things these days, there’s technology to help. It’s a website and mobile app called Nextdoor, which connects neighbors to one another.

When Mark Heaps moved to McKinney Heights two years ago from California, he brought his connection to the website with him.

“A friend of ours back in California had started the site in their neighborhood and suggested it was a great way to connect to all your neighbors,” Heaps said.

Heaps has more than a thousand neighbors if you count the nearby McKinney Park East neighborhood. About 25 percent of them stay connected online using Nextdoor.

“It’s been really good in relation to crime, safety, cleanliness and community presence,” Heaps said.

Sarah Leary, co-founder and vice president of marketing for Nextdoor, said the website helps connect people as they spend more time on the go.

"Unfortunately, in today's busy life, people don't have time to go meet their neighbors," she said.

Some people are taking the time to reach out online, though.

Leary said 91 Austin neighborhoods use the site.

"We found that one of the most important use cases for Nextdoor is neighbors using it to discuss crime and safety issues online,” she said. “Once you bring that conversation online, you can involve a lot more people."

In addition to neighbors looking for crime and safety hazards, people can help with other neighborly things, for instance, if a dog goes missing.

"They'll go look at the pet database and see which neighbor that is and a message will get posted and they'll say, 'Oh I have your dog in my backyard,’” Heaps said.

Learn more about the website https://nextdoor.com/