America's 50 Friendliest States, Ranked

At first, locals (especially those in the upstate) may ), but it's a great place to experience a wide range of different cultures in one place, and if you can make it through the initial shock, you'll find that the neighborhoods in each of the five boroughs of New York City have a strong sense Just don't block the sidewalk or get in the way of traffic while taking photos for Instagram.

If you're from Arkansas, and I stress if, you'll find the locals to be very welcoming. However, while this is great for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, it may leave out-of-towners feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome.

Even though the state of Delaware is relatively compact and can be traversed in under an hour and a half, its size does not necessarily equate to neighborliness. Do our readers view Delaware as unwelcoming because of the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a dull place to live? It is one of the least welcoming states in the USA, which is a shame.

The people of Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, but their apathy toward tourists can be off-putting. Massachusetts isn't going to be on anyone's list of the friendliest states in America if its residents have a tendency to ignore them. Becoming a full-fledged Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, can take years.

The Jersey attitude can be perceived as just outright rudeness And based on the results of this poll, it appears to be the case Those who hail from New Jersey are often stereotyped as being loud and brash. The (likely) unfriendly gas station worker will pump your gas, though.

Washington state may be near the top of lists of environmentally-friendly states, but that doesn't mean its residents are. Even though Seattleites don't come across as rude, they do have a "polite but unfriendly" vibe, which has earned the city its nickname, "Seattle freeze." Could be the constant downpours.

New Hampshire is a stunning state, and its residents are justifiably proud of their heritage. Nonetheless, it's easy for others to misinterpret such pride as arrogance. Due to its small rural population and obstinate locals, this place can be difficult to make friends in.

Nevada, the state where Sin City is located, is a place of extremes. In contrast to the cutthroat atmosphere of Las Vegas, more relaxed destinations like Reno offer a more pleasant vacation experience. Residents of the Silver State typically aren't willing to go out of their way to assist a complete stranger.

The state of Florida certainly has its work cut out for it if Miami is consistently ranked as one of the least welcoming cities in the United States. Orlando's tourist-friendly initiatives are a big boon for the state, but Florida as a whole has a reputation problem.

Unless you've lived in Rhode Island all your life, you probably won't be accepted as a true local. Big 7 readers did not give Rhode Islanders high marks on the "friendliness scale." Even though local cashiers are more likely to smile in smaller communities, you shouldn't expect a warm welcome anywhere.

Despite the state's reputation for friendliness, our readers in other states are not impressed. In terms of friendliness toward visitors, Los Angeles is no City of Angels. In fact, the city has an air of indifference that occasionally crosses into rudeness. Smaller urban centers have a more relaxed atmosphere.

People in Arizona aren't as outwardly friendly as those in the South, but they're chill enough to ignore that. You can expect to have small talk with strangers while waiting in line, but no big grins. A pleasant indifference to other people's feelings.

In general, Connecticut residents are courteous, reserved, and pleasant; however, they can be downright warm and welcoming to visitors. It's not that Even though New Englanders have a reputation for being cold and unfriendly, they will still open doors and greet you warmly when you visit. Not the most culturally rich state, but open mike nights and other community gatherings help keep people connected.

It's true that Alaska is in the middle of nowhere, but the state relies heavily on tourism, so locals are always happy to see visitors. It's safe to say that, with the exception of Alaska Natives, most of the locals here have been transplants at some point in their lives. They may do so, or they may simply ignore you, but in either case they are not rude.

The people of Montana will surprise you with their hospitality. Although large, the entire state has the feel of a large town. No one will invite you over for tea, but they're still a nice person. All the towns have a good sense of humor and welcome visitors with open arms.

Virginia's growing diversity is making the state even more hospitable and inviting to newcomers. Washington, D.C. is a cultural mecca, but some may view the city as conservative and wary of outsiders. C and other major cities, it's a great place to live.

Vermonters are known for being warm and welcoming, making it simple to strike up conversations with strangers and quickly feel at home. Generally, because tourism is so important, residents will go out of their way to accommodate guests. It may take some time for the locals in a small Vermont town to warm up to a newcomer, but once they do, you'll have friends for life.

To a person, North Carolinians are pleasant, helpful, and welcoming. Greetings are commonplace in public places like Walmart and parking lots, or even while waiting at a red light. Among the many great things about this state is the eclectic mix of people who call it home.

Utahns are known for their warm hospitality, so you should feel right at home here. One of the most sociable and lively places to live in the United States, Salt Lake City is also known for its welcoming attitude toward the LGBTQ community.

Our readership seems to agree that Mainers' warmth and the state's low crime rate make it an attractive place to settle down. New Englanders have a reputation for being withdrawn and reserved, but Mainers are friendly and outgoing. This is something you'll notice as soon as you step foot in the door.

West Virginians are among the most hospitable and warm-hearted people you'll meet anywhere in the United States. The relaxed tempo of life here helps create a friendly environment. Since West Virginia is somewhat sheltered from the rest of the country by its mountainous terrain, the people who live there tend to be very close-knit.

People in Iowa are known for being friendly and helpful to one another, and it's not uncommon to see them greet complete strangers as they pass one another on the street or wave at passing cars. The locals are very friendly, from the cashiers to the roadside farmers who will gladly tell you all about their delicious produce.

Even though Michiganders like to think of themselves as a welcoming and sociable people, some cities, like Detroit and Ann Arbor, can be difficult to get to know. People in this region are known for their laid-back demeanor, good sense of humor, and Midwestern politeness.

Maryland has a large cultural diversity despite being one of the most populous states. Because of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has a thriving, social atmosphere. In a Baltimore bar, you are sure to meet some of your new best friends for life.

Wisconsin is a shining example of the best of the Midwest; its residents are known for their politeness, community spirit, and positive outlook. Green Bay is one of the happiest places in the country, so its residents' natural disposition is to be friendly. Perhaps the Packers have something to do with it.

Although the locals may be wonderful, this state is one of the least populated and visited in the United States. Locals in North Dakota are known for their friendliness and willingness to lend a hand without seeking anything in return. Those of you who rated the state on its friendliness as a community gave it high marks.

They say Oregonians are some of the friendliest people in the country. The Portland hipster scene may be difficult to enter, but the people there are nice, I swear. This is the most pet-friendly state in the USA, so Fido is more than welcome here.

Mississippi is a lovely state full of genuine Southern hospitality. The friendliness of Mississippians often comes as a pleasant surprise to visitors. Once you stop trying to convince them that life is better "up North," the locals will treat you like family and treat you like you always belonged there.

Before you can even say "hello," a Missourian will launch into a lengthy account of their life experiences. They are genuine in their friendliness, and they show genuine interest in the perspectives of total strangers.

Everyone in Alabama is nice if you're nice to them. Alabama is one of the friendliest states in the country if you follow that rule of thumb. You can count on complete strangers to do nice things for you, like holding the door open or helping you carry your groceries to your car.

There are many progressive, forward-thinking communities in South Dakota that are home to enthusiastic and welcoming residents. Here, even in the largest cities, people are comfortable striking up conversations with total strangers about anything from the weather to the latest football game. Midwest nice is practically a synonym for the people who live here.

You'll find that Kentuckians, regardless of their background or circumstances, are a friendly bunch. Everyone, native or visitor, is welcomed with open arms by the friendly locals. People from other states will be envious of the warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians.

It's not obvious at first glance that cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are warm and welcoming. The slogan "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason, as the locals genuinely enjoy making new friends. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers ranked it highly. Look lost A friendly local is likely to assist you.

In most of New Mexico's communities, you'll find warm and welcoming locals. In a nutshell, it's chill and incredibly multi-ethnic. In addition, two cities in New Mexico's Top 20 Retirement Cities for LGBT People in 2018 are located in the state's "Land of Enchantment." Now you know

Ten people strong. With a population of over 3 million people, this state in the southern United States is a fascinating blend of rural and urban areas. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, it's not difficult to make friends. According to Big 7 Travel readers, Georgia is wonderful.

People from all over the country will tell you that Idahoans are among the friendliest you'll meet, and our readers agree. The locals are genuinely nice, and not in a creepy, prying way. The people of Idaho are as friendly and open as they are famously described.

Illinois, a state in the middle of the United States, is known for its warm and welcoming residents. New York City's rival, Chicago, is widely regarded as one of the best U.S. cities for tourists. Also, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a great state to visit.

Some of the nicest people you'll ever meet in the United States are from Nebraska. An overwhelming sense of community service can be observed in every direction. If you can master the "one finger" wave while driving, you'll blend in like a native.

While the area has had a rough go of it recently due to natural disasters, the locals will do anything they can to make you feel at home. Despite the state's many cultural and linguistic diversity, Louisianans share a common trait that contributes to the state's reputation as one of the friendliest and most enjoyable places to live in the United States.

Ohioans are known for their gracious demeanor and genuine enthusiasm for life in the Midwest. People in the area are friendly and will gladly recommend their go-to restaurant or bar to visitors. As a bonus, there are many options for children to enjoy themselves here, making it an ideal destination for families.

Visitors to Hawaii receive exceptional service because the state places a premium on the tourist industry. This place is famous for its "Aloha Spirit." It must be good for the spirit to live in paradise, because everyone you meet will greet you with a friendly smile.

The Big Friendly is not a random moniker for Oklahoma City; the Sooner State is known for its welcoming locals. Locals here are always up for a chat and will always look out for their own. They are just as welcoming to outsiders.

Visitors from other states may be taken aback by the famous friendliness of Kansans, so they should be ready to strike up conversations with complete strangers. The friendly nature of the locals is one of the state's many attractions.

Colorado has some of the friendliest people in the world and a progressive environment that makes it a great place to visit. It's great for families, is very secure, and has so much history and culture that tourists quickly begin to feel at home. You can feel the warmth of this place right away, no matter if you're in Denver or the middle of nowhere.

Indiana residents take great pride in their famously generous "Hoosier hospitality," which is known worldwide. The locals have a positive disposition and a great sense of humor. Indiana is more than just a "fly over" state; after visiting, you'll always remember it as home.

Even though Wyoming is a relatively tranquil state, its residents make visiting here a blast. People in even the largest cities often go out of their way to help strangers, whether it's digging a car out of the snow or carrying groceries. Don't bother getting out of the car. Chances are it will be safe and sound

The friendly Texans and their constant "Howdys" "everywhere you go" has undoubtedly contributed to its status as one of the friendliest states in the USA. Locals in its major cities will make you feel right at home with their warm hospitality.

The people of South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, which makes the state a great vacation destination. South Carolina embodies the Southern tradition of warm welcome with gusto.

Tennessee is the epitome of classic Southern hospitality, and its citizens are always excited to show visitors around. When you factor in the state's thriving music industry, it's easy to see why Texas is widely considered to be one of the friendliest in the United States.

The most welcoming state in the United States is Topping the list is Minnesota, whose residents stand out for their warmth and hospitality. The Twin Cities and the rest of Minnesota have an unrivaled "Minnesota Nice" vibe thanks to the friendly, down-to-earth locals.