make friends in my neighborhood

Although we have relatives (in-laws for me) within a few miles, we have moved to a new town and I know NO ONE. There is a lady who works the same shift and has the same days off I do, and we work at the same place, but she is not technically in the neighborhood. She’s what we call “down the road a piece”.

Is it me, or are lots of people taking this as looking for a dating relationship? That is not my intent…I’d just like to be able to say “Hi, (insert neighbor’s name)” i/o “Hi Neighbor”, KWIM?