Toontown central is what is known as a "neighbourhood" in Toontown speak.
[Others include Donalds Dock, Daisys Garden, etc.]
Not only do you both have to be in Toontown central, you also both have to be in the same "district". Toontown has loads of these. There is a page in the schticker book dedicated to districts ( piccie:
http://www.disneyonlineworlds.com/in...:Districts.jpg ) And you can choose to change to whichever one you agree from that page.
As others say above, until you've completed the Toontorial tasks, you may be stuck in the Welcome district. If so, the Toon would see, for example, "You are currently in the Nutty Hills (welcome) district" in the schticker book as well.