List of the 50 Friendliest States in the USA

It's possible that at first, locals (especially those in the countryside) will come off as a 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. Please don't block the sidewalk or get in the way of traffic while taking photos for Instagram.

If you're from here, Arkansas will treat you like family. Though this bodes well for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, it may leave out-of-towners feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome.

Although the state of Delaware is relatively compact (it takes only about 90 minutes to drive from one end to the other), 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? This is one of the least welcoming states in the Union, unfortunately.

The people of Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, but their apathy toward tourists can be off-putting. It's not exactly a quality that makes Massachusetts one of the friendliest states in America if its residents prefer to ignore each other. Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to an outsider, can take years.

The attitude of Jersey residents can come across as rude. And based on the results of this poll, it appears to be the case. People from the Garden State are known for being bold and outspoken. But at least the (likely unfriendly) gas station worker will fill up your tank.

Washington State may be near the top of lists of environmentally-friendly states, but its human inhabitants are another story. This "polite but unfriendly" atmosphere is what gives Seattle its nickname, "the Seattle freeze," even though the locals themselves aren't rude. All this rain might be to blame,

The people of New Hampshire are fiercely proud of their state and its beauty. However, this sense of pride is sometimes misinterpreted as arrogance by those from other cultures. Being a rural area with a stubborn local population, this place is not exactly teeming with opportunities to make new friends.

Nevada, the state where Sin City is located, is a place of extremes. Las Vegas is a place where "dog eats dog," but neighborly Reno is a better option. In general, Nevadans are not very willing to go out of their way to assist a complete stranger.

Florida has its work cut out for it, as Miami is consistently ranked as one of the unfriendliest 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.

Unless you've lived in Rhode Island your whole life, you probably won't be accepted as a true local. According to Big 7 Travel readers, Rhode Islanders aren't particularly hospitable. Even though local cashiers are more likely to smile in smaller communities, you shouldn't expect a warm welcome anywhere.

Readers of this publication disagree with the widespread belief that Californians are particularly friendly. To put it bluntly, Los Angeles is not exactly the City of Angels when it comes to making visitors feel at home. 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. While waiting in line, you might strike up a conversation with a total stranger, but don't count on any huge grins being exchanged. Nice indifference to other people, really

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. Not really Despite their reputation for coldness, New Englanders will always hold the door for you and offer a friendly greeting. It's not the most culturally rich state, but people still manage to come together at open mike nights and other community events.

Alaska may be remote, but the state's reliance on tourism means that locals are always happy to see visitors. Most people in this area, with the exception of Alaska Natives, are immigrants who arrived here at some point. They might not respond to you at all if you bother them, but they are not rude if they do.

We think you'll find Montanans to be some of the friendliest people you meet. Despite its massive size, the whole state feels more like a large village. Someone who won't invite you over for tea, but is nice all the same. The townspeople joke and tease each other in a lighthearted manner, and they welcome visitors with open arms.

The Commonwealth of Virginia's increasing diversity is making the state even more inviting and warm. Washington, D.C. is a cultural mecca, but some may view the city as conservative and wary of outsiders. C the city's proximity to other major cities and the benefits they provide

Vermonters are known for being warm and welcoming, making it simple to strike up conversations with strangers and quickly feel at home. People here go out of their way to assist tourists because the industry is so important to the local economy. Vermonters in smaller communities can be slow to warm up to newcomers, but once they do, you'll have friends for life.

People in North Carolina are known for their politeness, friendliness, and willingness to help both visitors and locals. People will greet you with a "hi" almost anywhere: the grocery store, the parking lot, the stoplight. One of the best things about the state is the diversity of its residents.

Since Utahns are known for their warm hospitality, you will quickly feel at home here. Salt Lake City is one of the most welcoming large U.S. cities for 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. It's common knowledge that Mainers are friendly and outgoing compared to their New England counterparts, who are known for their reserved demeanor. This is the first thing you'll notice when you get here.

Some of the warmest and most friendly people you'll encounter in your travels across the United States will be West Virginians. The relaxed tempo of life here creates a friendly ambiance. 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's a genuine sense of community, from the friendly cashiers to the farmers selling fresh produce on the side of the road.

While most people in the Great Lakes State have a reputation for being warm and welcoming, some cities, like Detroit and Ann Arbor, prove to be surprisingly difficult to navigate. The people here have a great sense of humor, are laid back and polite, and embody the Midwest ideal of a good time.

One of the most populous states, Maryland is also culturally rich. Because of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has a thriving and friendly atmosphere. In a Baltimore bar, you are sure to meet some of your new best friends for life.

Wisconsin is a bright spot in the Midwest, with friendly locals who value their community and a positive outlook on life. One of the happiest cities in America, Green Bay is a great place to find genuinely friendly people. Do the Packers play a role in this at all?

This may be one of the least-visited and least-populated states in the United States, but that has nothing to do with its wonderful residents. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and generosity. On a scale from 0 to 10, how well do you think this state fosters a sense of community?

It's common knowledge that Oregonians are exceptionally friendly to total strangers. 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.

The Magnolia State of Mississippi exudes a warm and welcoming spirit typical of the South. One thing that often surprises visitors to Mississippi is how welcoming the locals are. 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.

Before you've even had a chance to say "hello," a Missourian will launch into a lengthy recounting of their life experiences. The people here are genuine in their friendliness and interest in the stories of total strangers.

Everyone you meet in Alabama will treat you well if you treat them well. Alabama is one of the friendliest states in the country if you just follow that one simple rule. 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. In many ways, the residents of this region are the very embodiment 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. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians is enough to make anyone pack their bags and head to the Bluegrass State right away.

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; people here are genuinely kind to one another. We asked our readers how helpful they thought strangers were, and they gave it a high rating. Look lost One of the locals will probably lend a hand if you ask nicely.

If you're looking for welcoming locals, New Mexico is the place to go. It has a chill atmosphere and a wide range of cultural influences. Moreover, two New Mexico cities were among the top 20 most LGBT-friendly retirement destinations in 2018. So there you go.

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 such as Atlanta, getting to know people is simple. In a survey conducted by Big 7 Travel, Georgia received a score of 4.5 out of 7.

People from all over the country will tell you that Idahoans are among the friendliest you'll meet, and our readers agree. True friendliness among the populace, without the intrusiveness When it comes to welcoming visitors, Idaho more than lives up to its reputation.

Located in the middle of the United States, Illinois is home to welcoming people. If you're looking for a city that welcomes tourists more than New York City, look no further than Chicago. Also, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a great state to visit.

Among the states in the United States, Nebraska is home to some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. All around you, you'll find people pitching in to help each other out, giving off a palpable sense of community. If you can master the "one finger" wave while driving, you'll blend in just like a native.

Locals make an effort to make visitors feel at home despite the area's recent history of natural disasters. Louisianans may come from many different backgrounds, but they all contribute to the state's reputation as one of the friendliest and most enjoyable in the United States.

When it comes to good manners and genuine kindness toward strangers, Ohio is a shining example of the Midwest at its finest. Locals are friendly and willing to show visitors their favorite spots for eating and drinking. There are many options for children, making this an ideal destination for families.

Guests of Hawaii receive exceptional care due to the state's dedication to the tourism industry. "Aloha spirit" is a trademark of Hawaii. Everyone you meet in paradise will greet you with a friendly smile, so clearly paradise has a healing effect on the human psyche.

Oklahoma is home to some of America's friendliest people, and its capital city, "The Big Friendly," has earned its moniker for good reason. Here, people are always up for a chat and will do anything they can to protect those within their own community. 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 warmth and friendliness of the locals towards tourists is what makes their state so special.

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. The warmth of this place is something you can feel the moment you arrive, whether you're in Denver or the suburbs.

The people of Indiana take great pride in their legendary "Hoosier hospitality," in which they routinely go out of their way to help strangers. In general, the locals have a positive disposition and a humorous outlook. Indiana is more than just a "fly over" state; after visiting, you'll always remember it as home.

While the state of Wyoming itself is relatively tranquil, the people who live there make it a lively and exciting place to visit. 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. The odds are good that it will arrive undamaged.

Locals in Texas are always upbeat and ready with a "Howdy" or "Howdy, y'all." 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.

In addition to its beautiful landscapes, South Carolina is also known for its warm and friendly locals. South Carolina exemplifies the warm hospitality and generous spirit for which the South is famous.

Tennessee is the epitome of classic Southern hospitality, and its citizens are always excited to show visitors around. When you factor in its vibrant music scene, it's easy to see why this is one of America's friendliest states.

Among the states in the United States, which one do residents rate as the friendliest? The people of Minnesota are the friendliest in the country, making the state a clear winner. It's not without good reason that the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice"; the people of the Twin Cities and beyond have an exceptionally warm welcome for visitors.