American states ranked from most to least friendly.

Locals (especially those further north) could present as rude at first. New York City may seem overwhelming at first, but if you give it time, you'll find that each of the five boroughs has distinct neighborhoods with a strong sense of community. However, you shouldn't linger in the street or impede traffic while taking photos for Instagram.

If you're from Arkansas (emphasis on 'if,' though) people will treat you with respect. While this is great for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, it may make tourists feel like outsiders who don't belong there.

Although the state of Delaware is quite compact and can be traversed in under an hour and a half, its size should not be mistaken for neighborliness. Are our readers predisposed to view Delaware as unwelcoming because of the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a bore? As unfortunate as it is, it is considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

The people of Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, but their apathy toward tourists can be off-putting. Massachusetts may not be the friendliest state in America, but that isn't because its residents are particularly good at ignoring them. Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, can take years.

The Jersey way of life can come across as extremely impolite at times. That appears to be the case, at least according to this survey. The people of New Jersey are notoriously outspoken. The gas station attendant may not be very friendly, but at least they'll pump your gas for you.

Despite Washington's perennially high standing on lists of the most environmentally-friendly states, the state's human population is a different story. Residents of Seattle aren't outright unfriendly, but they do exude a certain "polite but unfriendly" vibe that has earned the city its nickname, "Seattle freeze." Perhaps it's all the wet weather

New Hampshire is a stunning state, full of devoted citizens who take great pride in their home. However, this sense of pride is sometimes misinterpreted as arrogance by those from other cultures. It can be difficult to make friends among the locals here due to their stubbornness and the small population.

Nevada, the site of Sin City, is a state of striking contrasts. However, while Las Vegas can be a cutthroat environment, neighborly cities like Reno offer a more pleasant alternative. Overall, Nevadans are not very hospitable, and few will go out of their way to assist a complete stranger.

Florida certainly has its work cut out for it, what with Miami consistently ranking as one of the least hospitable cities in the United States. The state's reputation has some catching up to do, but cities like Orlando, with their tourist-friendly initiatives, are making a huge difference.

You'll probably be treated like an outsider in Rhode Island if you weren't raised there. Readers of Big 7 Travel did not give Rhode Islanders high marks on the publication's "friendly scale." Some of the friendlier areas are the smaller ones, but even the cashier at the local store probably won't smile at you.

Many of our readers do not agree with the widespread belief that Californians are particularly friendly, despite the state's widespread promotion of this stereotype. When it comes to making visitors feel at home, Los Angeles is no City of Angels, instead giving off an air of coldness and even hostility. The pace of life is slower in smaller towns.

You won't mistake Arizonans for being as outwardly friendly as those in the South, but they're chill enough. You can expect to have small talk with strangers while waiting in line, but no big grins. The attitude is one of pleasant indifference to other people.

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. This is not the case. New Englanders have a reputation for being cold and unfriendly, but they will always hold the door for you and smile at you if you visit. Although it's not exactly a hotbed of artistic expression, open mike nights and other community gatherings help keep the state from feeling too stale.

Despite the state's relative isolation, Alaska relies heavily on tourism; consequently, locals are always happy to see visitors. In fact, with the exception of Alaskan Natives, the vast majority of current residents here are immigrants who were once newcomers themselves. They might not respond to you at all if you bother them, but they are not rude if they do.

The people of Montana will surprise you with their hospitality. Despite its large size, 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. There is friendly competition between the cities, with a warm welcome extended to visitors.

The Commonwealth of Virginia's increasing diversity is making the state even more inviting and warm. Some may view Washington, D.C. as conservative and wary of outsiders, but the city is also a cultural mecca. C other major cities make it a great place to live

Vermonters are known for being warm and welcoming, making it an ideal place to make new friends. Since tourism is so important, residents will generally go out of their way to assist guests. Though the locals of a small Vermont town may take some time to warm up to newcomers, once they do, you'll have friends for life.

As a whole, people in North Carolina are polite, helpful, and welcoming. Anywhere from the supermarket to the parking lot to a stoplight, people will say "hi." The diversity of its residents is one of the state's most notable features.

Utahns are known for their warm hospitality, so you should feel right at home. Salt Lake City is one of the most welcoming large cities in the United States for the LGBTQ community, and it also has a wonderful social scene.

Our readers seem to agree that Maine is a good place to call home because of its low crime rate and welcoming population. Mainers, in contrast to their New England contemporaries, are known for their friendliness and openness. This is the first thing you'll notice when you get here.

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 creates a friendly environment. There is a tight-knit sense of community in West Virginia because the state is largely isolated from the rest of the country by mountains.

Iowans have a reputation for friendliness and generosity, as evidenced by their frequent use of "how are you" and "how are you doing" greetings in passing. There is a genuine sense of community, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling their wares on the side of the road.

The people of Michigan like to think of themselves as a welcoming and sociable bunch, but some cities, like Detroit and Ann Arbor, can be difficult to get to know. The locals have a genial disposition and a Midwestern politeness that complements their good humor.

Population-wise, Maryland is high up there with the rest of the states, and the state is also home to a wide range of cultural traditions. 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 cities in America, so its residents' easygoing demeanor is hardly surprising. Possibly the Packers are involved.

This may be one of the least-visited and least-populated states in the United States, but that has nothing to do with its fantastic residents. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and generosity. Those of you who rated the state on its friendliness as a community gave it high marks.

It's common knowledge that Oregonians are exceptionally friendly to total strangers. Although Portland's hipster culture may be difficult to enter, the people there are nice (I swear). It also has the highest percentage of pet-friendly households in the United States.

The Magnolia State of Mississippi is a delightful place, full of warmth and hospitality. Most tourists are pleasantly surprised by the welcoming nature of Mississippians. 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've even had the chance to say "hello," a Missourian will launch into a lengthy recounting of their life experiences. They're genuine in their friendliness and interest in conversing with strangers.

Everyone you meet in Alabama will treat you well if you treat them well. If you follow that simple guideline, you'll soon discover that Alabama is among the friendliest states in the Union. People you don't know will go out of their way to help you, such as holding the door open or carrying your groceries to your car.

There are many progressive, forward-thinking communities in South Dakota that are home to enthusiastic and welcoming residents. People will strike up conversations with complete strangers about anything from the weather to a football game, even in the biggest cities. People in this region are the epitome of the term "Midwestern nice."

No matter who you are or what you're doing, you'll find that people in Kentucky are friendly. The friendly locals don't care if you were born and raised here or if you're just passing through. One encounter with a typical Kentuckian and you'll want to pack your bags and head to the Bluegrass State right away.

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are two cities that might not immediately spring to mind when you think of "friendly cities," but that's not how they really are. The phrase "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason, as the locals genuinely enjoy making new friends. It received high marks from our readers for the amount of assistance it provided from total strangers. Look lost Most likely, a friendly local will offer assistance.

Friendly locals can be found in almost every community across New Mexico. It's chill and full of different cultures. Moreover, two New Mexico cities were among the top 20 most LGBT-friendly retirement destinations in 2018. Well, there you have it.

In a town of only 10 people, 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, getting to know people is simple. One of the Big Seven travel magazines' readers ranked Georgia as "pretty peachy."

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 stalkerish manner. The state of Idaho lives up to its reputation for friendliness and openness to visitors.

Illinois, located in the center of the Midwest, is home to extremely welcoming locals. Chicago has surpassed New York City as one of America's top destinations for tourists. As an added bonus, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it an attractive tourist destination.

Nebraskans are among the friendliest people you'll meet anywhere in the United States. Everywhere you look, people are pitching in to help each other out, creating a strong sense of community. If you can master the "one finger" wave at the wheel, you'll blend in like a native.

Locals make an effort to make visitors feel at home despite the area's recent history of natural disasters. Even though Louisiana is home to a wide variety of cultures, its residents have one thing in common: they make it one of the friendliest and best places to live in the United States.

The good manners and genuine friendliness of Ohioans are legendary throughout the Midwest. Locals are open-minded and will eagerly share their favourite place to eat or drink with out-of-towners Family-friendly events abound, making this a fantastic destination.

Visitors to Hawaii receive exceptional service because the state places a premium on the tourist industry. The "Aloha Spirit" of Hawaii is legendary. Every person you meet in paradise will give you a friendly hello, suggesting that there is some psychological benefit to living in such a place.

There's a reason Oklahoma is home to one of America's friendliest capitals: Oklahoma City. People here are very talkative 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.

In addition to having some of the friendliest people anywhere, Colorado's progressive environment makes it a great place to visit. It's great for families, there's lots to do, and tourists quickly feel at home among the friendly locals and fascinating history. Whether in the city of Denver or out in the country, you'll quickly sense the warmth of the locals.

The people of Indiana take great pride in their famous "Hoosier hospitality," in which they consistently go out of their way to help others. The locals are pleasant, humorous people. 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. Even in the largest of cities, it is not unusual for a complete stranger to offer to help you with something as simple as getting your car unstuck from the snow or carrying your groceries. Just drive off without your keys. Most likely, everything will be fine.

Friendly Texans always have a "Howdy" ready for you. Its reputation for welcoming visitors "everywhere you go" has helped make it one of the friendliest states in the United States. The 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 exemplifies the warm hospitality and generous spirit for which the South is famous.

Locals in Tennessee are full of life and eager to show off their city to visitors, exemplifying the classic Southern hospitality that has made the state famous. When you factor in the state's active music scene, it's easy to see why it's widely considered to be one of the friendliest in the United States.

And the winner is, of all the welcoming American states: The people of Minnesota are the friendliest in the nation. There's a reason why the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice"; the people of the Twin Cities and beyond have an inviting, friendly demeanor that's hard to find elsewhere.