It’s easy for us to bash verious NYC neighborhoods for their lack of friendliness. Every person just needs to look out for newcomers and make them feel at home. I thought it was self-understood (but I guess not) that the first thing you say to a new arrival in your neighborhood should not be words of criticism, but rather words of welcome. Show an interest in the person, make him or her feel at home. You can always offer gentle words of criticism once you’ve established a relationship.
We CAN solve this problem, we just need to do it one family at a time.