Here Are America's 50 Friendliest States, Ranked

At first glance, locals (especially those in the countryside) could 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. Don't block the sidewalk or get in the way of traffic while taking pictures for Instagram, though.

You'll find a warm welcome in Arkansas if you're a local. The friendly atmosphere in Arkansas is great, but it may make tourists feel like outsiders who don't belong there.

Although the entire state of Delaware can be covered in 90 minutes by car, the people living there are hardly neighborly. Do our readers view Delaware as unwelcoming because of the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a dull place to live? One of the least welcoming states in the USA, unfortunately.

Although most people in Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, the general apathy they exhibit toward tourists can be wearing. Massachusetts may not be one of the friendliest states in the country because its residents tend to ignore them. Being a real Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, takes time.

The Jersey attitude can be perceived as just outright rudeness And based on the results of this poll, it appears to be the case People from New Jersey have a reputation for being blunt and direct. While the gas station attendant may not be particularly pleasant, at least they'll pump your gas.

Washington state may be near the top of lists of environmentally-friendly states, but that doesn't mean its residents are. The locals aren't exactly rude, but they do give off a "polite but unfriendly" vibe, hence the name "Seattle freeze." Perhaps it's all the wet weather

Granite Staters are as patriotic as they come, and they're proud to call their home state one of the most picturesque in the country. However, this sense of pride can easily be misinterpreted by strangers as arrogance. 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. People in Nevada generally aren't very willing to go out of their way to assist a complete stranger.

Florida certainly has its work cut out for it if Miami is consistently ranked as one of the least friendly cities in the United States. While Orlando and its tourist-friendly initiatives are doing a lot to boost the state's reputation, Florida as a whole still has a ways to go.

The majority of Rhode Islanders were not born and raised there, so anyone who moves there from another state is likely to be treated as an oddity. Readers of Big 7 Travel did not give Rhode Islanders high marks on the publication's "friendliness scale." You'll get a warmer welcome in smaller communities, but don't expect the cashier at your local supermarket to crack a smile.

Readers of this publication disagree with the widespread belief that Californians are a friendly bunch. When it comes to making visitors feel at home, Los Angeles isn't exactly the City of Angels. There is a more relaxed atmosphere in smaller towns.

Arizona lacks the Southern's blatant friendliness, but the locals are chill enough to make up for it. 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.

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their politeness, reserve, and general niceness. It's not that Despite their reputation for coldness, New Englanders will always hold the door for you and offer a friendly greeting. Although it isn't the most culturally active state, its residents are able to come together through open mike nights and other community events.

Alaskans are happy to see visitors because the state relies so heavily on tourism, despite the state's remote location. Actually, most people in this area aren't Alaska Natives and were once newcomers, so they understand what it's like to be an outsider. They may do so, or they may simply ignore you; either way, they are not rude.

Montanans will win you over with their hospitality and openness. Even though it's a large state, it feels more like a large town. Despite how nice they are, you won't be invited over for tea. The townspeople joke around and treat visitors with friendliness and open arms.

More and more people from all walks of life are settling in Virginia, giving the state a warm and inviting vibe. The cultural mecca of Washington, D.C., may come across as traditional and wary to outsiders. C and other major cities, it's a great place to live.

Vermonters are known for being warm and welcoming, making it an ideal place to make new friends. The locals here are very friendly and helpful because of the abundance of tourists. 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.

The people who call North Carolina home tend to be polite, helpful, and welcoming. People will greet you with a "hi" almost anywhere: the grocery store, the parking lot, the stoplight. One interesting feature of the state is the wide variety of people who call it home.

Utahns are known for their warm hospitality, so you should feel right at home here. 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.

A large majority of our readers agree that Maine is a great place to call home due to its low crime rate and welcoming community. People from New England tend to have a reputation for being quiet and reserved, but Mainers are known for being friendly and outgoing. 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 helps create 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.

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 there, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling fresh produce from the side of the road who are happy to talk about their wares.

Despite the state's reputation for friendliness, some major cities like Detroit and Ann Arbor can be extremely difficult to connect with. In general, the locals here have a great sense of humor, are laid back, and are incredibly polite.

Maryland has a high population density and is a cultural melting pot. This is a great place to spend time because of how welcoming it is to newcomers. In a Baltimore bar, you are sure to meet some of your new closest friends.

Wisconsin is a bright spot in the middle of the country, populated by friendly people with a strong sense of community and a positive outlook. Since Green Bay is located in one of the happiest regions of the United States, its residents are naturally friendly and outgoing. Do the Packers play a role in this at all?

This may be one of the least-visited states in the United States, but that has nothing to do with the quality of its residents. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and generosity. When asked about the state's sense of community, our readers gave it high marks.

The people of Oregon are widely known for their friendliness toward total strangers. It may be difficult to break into Portland's hipster scene, but the people there are nice (I swear!). It also has the highest percentage of pet-friendly households in the United States.

Mississippi is a lovely state full of genuine Southern hospitality. Most tourists are pleasantly surprised by the welcoming nature of Mississippians. Once you stop bragging about how great it is "up North" to the natives, they will treat you like family and treat you like one of the family.

It's not uncommon for Missourians to launch into a lengthy biography before you've even said hello. People here are genuine in both their friendliness and interest in the perspectives of total 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 are so nice that they will help you with things like holding the door open and 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 here are very open to talking to complete strangers about any topic, from the weather to the latest football game. The residents of this region are the very embodiment of the term "Midwestern nice."

No matter what you're going through, people in Kentucky will be 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 pack their bags and head to the Bluegrass State.

Cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which you might not immediately associate with friendliness, actually are. You've got a friend in Pennsylvania because its people are so warm and welcoming. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers ranked it highly. Look lost A friendly local is likely to assist you.

Almost everywhere you go in New Mexico, you'll find nice people. It has a relaxed atmosphere and a wide variety of cultural influences. Two cities in New Mexico's Enchanted Circle area are among the top 20 retirement destinations for LGBT people in 2018. Well, there you have it.

Having only 10 people in it, With a population of over 3 million people, this southern state offers a fascinating blend of rural and urban settings. Meeting new people is simple, even in larger cities like Atlanta. There was widespread agreement among Big 7 travelers that Georgia was a pleasant destination.

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. There's no denying that 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. Despite New York City's popularity among tourists, Chicago is often ranked higher. Also, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a great state to visit.

The people of Nebraska are among the friendliest you'll find anywhere in the United States. There's a real sense of community here, with people pitching in to help one another. If you can master the "one finger" wave while behind the wheel, you'll feel like a true native.

Locals make an effort to make visitors feel at home despite the area's recent history of natural disasters. Louisianans may come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but they all contribute to what makes the state one of the friendliest and best places to live in the United States.

There is no better representation of good manners and genuine friendliness towards strangers than Ohio. People in the area are friendly and will gladly recommend their go-to restaurant or watering hole to visitors. It's also a fantastic destination for families, as there are many fun things to do here with children.

Visitors to Hawaii receive exceptional service because the state places a premium on the tourist industry. There is a special "Aloha Spirit" there. Everyone you meet will give you a friendly wave and a warm smile, proof that paradise really does do something good for the spirit.

Oklahoma is one of the friendliest states in the United States, and its capital city, "The Big Friendly," is appropriately named. The locals are always up for a chat and will do whatever they can to protect their own. They are just as welcoming to outsiders.

Be ready to strike up conversations with complete strangers, as visitors from other states may be taken aback by the famous Kansas friendliness. People in this state have such a warm welcome attitude toward tourists, it makes visiting this state a dream.

Colorado is a great state to visit because of its progressive culture and welcoming locals. It's a great place to bring the kids, there's a ton of interesting history to learn about, and vacationers will quickly feel at home here. You can feel the warmth of this place right away, no matter if you're in Denver or the middle of nowhere.

In Indiana, residents take great pride in their famous "Hoosier hospitality," in which they consistently go out of their way to help others. The locals have a pleasant demeanor and a good 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. Even in major metropolitan areas, it's not unusual for a complete stranger to offer assistance with tasks like unsticking your car from snow or carrying groceries. Put the keys in the ignition and drive away. It's probably going to make it out unscathed.

Locals in Texas are always upbeat and ready with a "Howdy" or "Howdy, y'all." Its welcoming people "everywhere you go" have unquestionably earned it a spot among the friendliest states in the United States. There's a touch of small-town friendliness in the country's major cities.

The people of South Carolina are known far and wide for their warmth and hospitality, which is just one of the many reasons the state is a great vacation destination. South Carolina exemplifies the Southern tradition of warm welcome and generous spirit.

Tennessee has a vibrant culture and friendly locals who are eager to show off their city to visitors, exuding classic Southern hospitality. When you factor in its vibrant music scene, it's easy to see why this is one of America's friendliest states.

Winner of the competition between the friendliest states in the USA Minnesotans are the friendliest in the nation. There's a reason why the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice" by visitors: the Twin Cities and surrounding areas exude a genuine warmth and friendly welcome that can't be found elsewhere.