I live in a garden apartment building. I became friends with my next door neighbor the night she went to the ER with me and the ambulance, spending the night by my side until my hip could be popped back into place.

While we do mostly texting (covid), we also have gone to check out a new grocery store nearby, with her daughter, and I've shared excess food (single, childless) and she's given me an egg. I will ask her if she needs something when I make a run to our local Trader Joe's. She's gifted me boxes of Girl Scout cookies. It's really nice.

OTOH, the other neighbors either overtly ignore my attempts to say hi, or avert their eyes when we pass on the sidewalk.

I suspect that most adult friendships have their origins in shared experiences as parents (kids play on the same team, PTA, etc). This according to my married friend with three grown kids. Her friends from when her kids were in school just drifted away.

I would LOVE to find a small town Main Street to retire to and have neighbors, but locations that have appealing amenities and walkability are out of the reach of my budget.

I'm rambling, but I know where you're coming from Kerala!