A Southerner's Life in New york

I just recently moved from Atlanta to New York, looking for a fresh start. Coming from down south everything is very different, from communication to swag. Things happen at a pace where you either play catch-up or get out the way. Since I've been here in New York, I have had the opportunity to experience just what it's like to move from a city down south to a big city up north. The attitudes are such that you can't be southern friendly, people see you as an outsider (there's no good mornings, good afternoons, or hello's). It's hard to find your place when the people here don't accept you. My first question is,"What's the BEST way for a southerner to find his/her place in New York?", and secondly, How does one socialize when it don't exist?