In both PC and Console versions of The Sims 3, there is a really easy way to meet and make friends with your neighbors.
Purchase a guitar and practice until you reach level five, which will enable the “play for tips” option. Take your guitar to a public place where a lot of sims roam around, and do the “play for tips” option. You’ll make some money, and you’ll be meeting a lot of new sims at the same time.