遠親不如近鄰

A relative afar is less use than a close neighbor (idiom). Take whatever help is on hand, even from strangers.

far / distant / remote / (intensifier in a comparison) by far / much (lower etc)

to distance oneself from (classical)

a distant relative

parent / one's own (flesh and blood) / relative / related / marriage / bride / close / intimate / in person / first-hand / in favor of / pro- / to kiss / (Internet slang) dear

parents-in-law of one's offspring

no; not so / (bound form) not; un-

not equal to / not as good as / inferior to / it would be better to

as / as if / such as

near / close to / approximately

close neighbor

neighbor / adjacent / close to