This is where I miss having a guild because neighbours are seldom helpful ...I am not sure if they are still learning the game and do not know that it is beneficial to give assistance to those surrounding them or they just don't care.
In Beta, I have already 30 neighbours but only 5 that visit and give assistance, despite the fact that I frequently give assistance to them. I do realise that I may as yet be 'undiscovered' so they are unable to help but I others are close by, have a large city but don't help.
Many others, unfortunately are players that started their city and appear to have not even completed the tutorial before they have given up and left. Fingers crossed they will soon be removed altogether from the game.
Similar thing is happening here, but it is early days and I have only found 2 neighbours that appear to be inactive already. Hopefully the others will discover me real soon and come to pay me a visit
and give a little assistance before I need to build more decorations to keep my city sunny