Do you befriend your neighbors?

The other day, I read a short article detailing with whom we should not start friendships.
A psychologist said we should not be friends with our children (agreed) or with our neighbors (disagree).
I dismissed the article as hokum and moved on with my day.
This morning, however, I watched a Today Show clip on the MyIntent Project that whipped my mind back to the "don't befriend your neighbors" article. Chris Pan founded the project to create a way to bring more positivity, togetherness and happiness into the world.
The project provides a simple bracelet - which Pan gave away at the beginning - a metal circle stamped with a word of your choice and fitted with an adjustable bracelet.
So, why am I bringing up the MyIntent Project? There's always a lot of talk out there about the need for tighter communities, more compassion, better conversations and so on. Well, MyIntent reminded me that community is something that everyone needs.
Most who know me, know I'm not a big people person unless there's a specific purpose in interacting with said people. However, in a small group or one-to-one situation, I'm alright and enjoy a good conversation.
Which brings me to the fact that I strongly disagree with the opinion of not befriending your neighbors.
We're not buddy-buddy with our neighbors, but we have good relationships with them.
The family who lives directly behind us is so nice, and hospitable, and kind. It's hard not to like that. If Donny's outside, he'll yell and wave, and sometimes just walk over and chat for a bit. Each spring and summer, he'll kid us about our garden and how crappy it looks.
I wouldn't say we're friends, but we're neighborly and I consider that a type of friendship.
The older couple who lives to the east of us is much the same. They moved in last summer and we instantly got along. It was fun watching them transform their yard into something of an oasis, when it was absolutely bare before. They took to Jacob right away and often wave and talk to him as he zooms by on his bicycle.
When Derek accidentally ran over Jacob's bike in the fall (due to Jacob leaving it in the driveway), the neighbors noticed. One day, after I'd taken Jacob's bike to be fixed, Jacob and I came home to a boy's bike propped up by our back door. Our neighbors to the east had put it there. They found it at an auction for free and knew Jacob's bike was broken, so they just put it there, knowing how much Jacob loves to ride.
The former neighbors to the north, across the street, were our friends from the beginning. Although they only stayed about nine months, I got to know them the best and was sad to see them go.
The couple often, and sincerely, said if we needed anything to give them a call. They had three dogs and so we often had front-yard conversations while their dogs were outside. I don't regret getting to know them at all.
Those are just three examples of what it is to be neighborly friends. These people enhance our lives with good conversation, a helping hand and a friendly wave once in awhile.
Not befriend your neighbors? What a load of bull. There are some neighbors worth befriending.