Best 50 States to Live In

Locals (especially those further north) could present as rude at first. It's true that New York City can be 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. Don't block the sidewalk or get in the way of traffic while taking photos for Instagram, though.

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

Although the entire state of Delaware can be covered in 90 minutes by car, the people living there are hardly neighborly. Is it that our readers' perception of Delaware as unwelcoming stems from the state's (possibly exaggerated) reputation as boring? One of the least welcoming states in the USA, unfortunately.

People in MA aren't necessarily rude, but their indifference to tourists can be off-putting. Massachusetts is not exactly one of the friendliest states in America due to its residents' tendency to ignore them. Becoming a full-fledged Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, can take years.

Jersey residents' demeanor is sometimes misunderstood as rudeness. And based on the results of this poll, it appears to be the case Personality-wise, New Jersey residents are known for being very outspoken. Still, at least the (possibly unfriendly) gas station worker will fill up your tank.

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." Perhaps it's all the wet weather

In addition to its natural beauty, New Hampshire is home to a population that is justifiably proud of its state. But that pride is often misunderstood as arrogance by those from other cultures. It can be difficult to make friends among the locals, and the area's sparse rural population doesn't help.

Nevada, home of Sin City, is a state of extremes. When compared to more welcoming destinations like Reno, Las Vegas can be a cutthroat place to spend some time. In general, Nevadans are not very willing to go out of their way to assist a complete stranger.

Due to the fact that Miami is consistently ranked as one of the unfriendliest cities in the United States, Florida has its work cut out for it. Tourist-friendly initiatives in places like Orlando are greatly enhancing the state's reputation, but Florida as a whole still has a ways to go before it is widely recognized.

Unless you've lived in Rhode Island all your life, you probably won't be accepted as a true local. According to Big 7 Travel readers, Rhode Islanders aren't particularly hospitable. Smaller communities tend to be friendlier, but even the cashier at the corner store probably won't smile at you.

The Golden State's residents may think of themselves as sociable, but our readers beg to differ. When it comes to making visitors feel at home, Los Angeles isn't exactly the City of Angels. A more relaxed pace of life can be found in smaller towns.

Arizona lacks the Southern's blatant friendliness, but the locals are chill enough to make up for it. When waiting in line, it's the kind of place where total strangers will start talking to each other; however, you shouldn't count on anyone being overly cheerful. Positive indifference to other people rather than animosity

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. Not really People in New England may have a reputation for being cold, but they'll still open doors and greet you if you ask. 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.

Alaskans are always happy to meet new people, despite the state's relative isolation, because the tourism industry is so important to the state's economy. Outside of Alaskan Natives, the vast majority of current Alaskans can relate to the experience of being a newcomer. They may do so, or they may simply ignore you; either way, they are not rude.

The people of Montana will surprise you with their hospitality. Even though it's a large state, it feels more like a large town. A nice person like this won't invite you over for tea, but they will still treat you well. Tourists and other visitors are met with a warm welcome and friendly banter between the cities.

Virginia's increasing diversity is making the state even more inviting and friendly. Washington, D.C. is a cultural mecca, despite the fact that some may view it as quite traditional and wary of strangers. C and other major cities, it's a great place to live.

Vermonters are known for being warm and inviting, making it simple to strike up conversations with strangers and make new friends. Travelers can expect the locals to go above and beyond to accommodate them. Although 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.

Folks who live in North Carolina are known for their polite demeanor, willingness to aid strangers, and warm reception of guests. Even while waiting at a red light, people will often greet one another in the aisles of a Walmart or the parking lot. One of the best things about the state is the diverse population it contains.

Since Utahns are known for their warm hospitality, you will quickly feel at home here. It is widely acknowledged that Salt Lake City is one of the most welcoming large cities in the United States for the LGBTQ community.

Our readers seem to agree that Maine is a great place to settle down because of its low crime rate and welcoming locals. It's common knowledge that Mainers are friendly and outgoing compared to their New England counterparts, who are known for their reserved demeanor The moment you step foot in this location, you'll notice this.

When traveling across the United States, you'll find that West Virginians are among the most warm and friendly people you'll encounter. The relaxed rhythm of life here makes for a friendly environment. The mountains in West Virginia create a strong sense of community by isolating the state from the rest of the country.

People in Iowa are known for being friendly and helpful, as evidenced by the frequent use of "howdy" and "how are you" in everyday interactions with strangers. There is a genuine sense of community, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling their wares on the side of the road.

Despite the state's reputation for friendliness, some major cities like Detroit and Ann Arbor can be extremely difficult to connect with. The locals have a great sense of humor, are laid back and polite, and embody the Midwest ideal of a friendly community.

There is a wide range of cultural traditions represented in Maryland, which is one of the most populous states. Because of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has become a lively and exciting place to spend time with friends. 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, with its friendly and polite citizens and their strong sense of community. Green Bay is consistently ranked as one of the happiest cities in America, so it's no surprise that its residents are so warm and friendly. Perhaps the Packers have something to do with it.

It's not because of the quality of the locals that this is one of the least populated and least visited states in the United States. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and generosity. The state received high marks from our readers for its friendly atmosphere.

The citizens of Oregon are widely known for their friendliness toward total strangers. The Portland hipster scene may be difficult to break into, but the people there are nice, I swear. Your dog is welcome here, too, because it is the most pet-friendly state in the country.

It's undeniable that Mississippi is a beautiful state, full of all the warmth and hospitality that the South is famous for 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're genuine in their friendliness, and they seem to enjoy hearing from total strangers.

To put it simply, if you treat everyone you meet in Alabama with kindness, they will treat you with kindness in return. Alabama is one of the friendliest states in the country if you follow that rule of thumb. Just because they want to be nice, strangers will do nice things like hold the door open and help 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. You can pretty much use the phrase "Midwestern Nice" to describe the people here.

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. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians is enough to make anyone consider making the state their permanent home.

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 at all. Pennsylvanians are so warm and welcoming that the state's motto, "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania," was coined for this very reason. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers ranked it highly. Look lost A friendly local will likely assist you.

You can count on meeting pleasant locals in just about any town in New Mexico. A melting pot of people from all walks of life, it's easygoing and diverse. Furthermore, two cities in New Mexico's top retirement destination for LGBT people So there you go.

An area with a population of 10 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 locals is a breeze. Those who read the Big 7 Travel report on Georgia agreed that it was a pretty sweet state.

People from all over the country will tell you that Idahoans are among the friendliest you'll meet, and our readers agree. In contrast to other places I've visited, the locals here are genuinely warm and welcoming. Idaho's reputation for friendliness and openness to visitors is well-deserved.

Located in the middle of the United States, Illinois is home to welcoming people. Chicago has surpassed New York City as one of America's top destinations for tourists. Visitors will find Illinois to be a pleasant destination, as it is home to 19 of the 100 safest cities in the United States, as ranked by the website Neighborhood Scout.

Nebraskans are among the friendliest people you'll find 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 while driving, you will be almost as good as a native.

Residents here make every effort to make visitors feel at home, despite the city's recent history of natural disasters. Louisianans may come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but they all contribute to the state's reputation as one of the friendliest and most enjoyable places to live in the United States.

The good manners and genuine friendliness of Ohioans are legendary throughout the Midwest. The locals are friendly and will gladly recommend their favorite restaurant or bar to visitors. And because there are so many things to do there that are geared toward children, it's also fantastic for families.

The hospitality industry in Hawaii is thriving because of the state's strong focus on tourism. Famous for its "Aloha Spirit," it is a paradise. Everyone you meet will give you a friendly smile, as if living in paradise actually has a positive effect on your mental health.

Oklahoma is one of the friendliest states in the United States, and its capital city, "The Big Friendly," is appropriately named. The locals here are always up for a chat and will always look out for their own. Guests are treated with the same warmth and hospitality.

Expect to strike up conversations with complete strangers, as the famous Kansas friendliness can surprise visitors from other states. The friendly nature of the locals is one of the state's many attractions.

Colorado is a great state to visit because of its progressive culture and welcoming locals. It's great for taking the kids, has a ton of interesting history, and will have you feeling like a native in no time. Whether you're in the city of Denver or out in the suburbs, the warmth of this place will greet you right away.

Hoosiers in the state of Indiana are known far and wide for their generous "Hoosier hospitality," in which they consistently go out of their way to make others' experiences better. The locals have a positive disposition and a great sense of humor. Upon your first visit, you'll realize that Indiana is so much more than a "fly over" state.

Even though Wyoming is a relatively tranquil state, its residents make visiting here a blast. Even in large cities, strangers often help each other out with things like unsticking their cars from snow or carrying groceries. Don't bother getting out of the car. Most likely, everything will be fine.

The friendly Texans and their "Howdy"s are a trademark. 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 warm hospitality of South Carolinians is well-known, and the state is often cited as a top vacation destination. South Carolina has the famous warmth and friendliness of other Southern states, in abundance.

Tennessee has that classic Southern charm going strong, with residents who are buzzing with excitement and eager to show off their city to visitors. When you factor in its vibrant music scene, it's easy to see why this is one of America's friendliest states.

The winner among the most welcoming American states is Topping the list is Minnesota, whose residents stand out for their warmth and hospitality. There's a reason the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice"; the people of the Twin Cities and beyond have a genuine warmth and hospitality that's hard to find elsewhere.