List of the 50 Friendliest U.S. States

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. 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 leave out-of-towners feeling awkward and unwelcome.

While it's true that it only takes about 90 minutes to drive across the entire state of Delaware, that doesn't exactly make it a welcoming neighbor. Is it that our readers' perception of Delaware as unwelcoming stems from the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as dull? Regrettably, it's considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

Locals in MA aren't 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. Likewise, it takes a considerable amount of time to establish oneself as a permanent resident of Boston rather than a temporary visitor.

It's easy to mistake the Jersey way of life for outright rudeness. It appears that is the case in this poll. The people of New Jersey are notoriously outspoken. If nothing else, the (likely unfriendly) gas station worker will pump your gas for you.

Washington state may be near the top of lists of environmentally-friendly states, but that doesn't mean its residents are. Seattleites aren't outright unfriendly, but they do have a "polite but unfriendly" vibe. Perhaps it's all the wet weather

New Hampshire is a stunning state full of fiercely proud, patriotic people. However, this sense of pride is sometimes 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, the state in which Sin City is located, is a place of extremes. Reno and other nearby cities are more welcoming than Las Vegas, which can have a cutthroat atmosphere. Generally speaking, Nevadans are not 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 welcoming cities in the United States. Cities like Orlando, with their tourist-friendly initiatives, are doing a lot to boost the state's reputation, but 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. Readers of Big 7 Travel did not give Rhode Islanders high marks on the publication's "friendliness scale." Even though local cashiers are more likely to smile in smaller communities, you shouldn't expect a warm welcome anywhere.

Although many native Californians and transplants like to think of themselves as friendly, our readers beg to differ. 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. The pace of life tends to be slower in smaller urban centers.

There's no denying that Arizona lacks the Southern's blatant friendliness, but the locals are chill enough to make up for it. Waiting in line is the perfect time to strike up a conversation with a total stranger, but don't hold your breath for any genuine smiles. Positive indifference to other people rather than animosity

People from Connecticut are friendly and polite, but not overly outgoing. To a lesser extent Despite their reputation for coldness, New Englanders will always hold the door for you and offer a friendly greeting. The state isn't exactly a hotbed of artistic expression, but open mike nights and other community gatherings do their part to keep people connected.

Although Alaska is quite remote, the tourism industry is vital to the state's economy, so 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 may do this or simply ignore you; either way, they are not rude.

Montanans are among the friendliest people you'll ever meet. Despite its large size, the entire state has the feel of a large town. Even though you won't be invited over for tea, these people are still pleasant. The townspeople joke around with one another in a friendly manner, and they welcome visitors.

Virginia's increasing diversity is making the state even more hospitable and warm. 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 promising location.

Vermonters are known for their warm and welcoming demeanor, making it simple to strike up conversations with complete strangers. As tourism is a major industry, residents are generally eager to assist guests. Vermonters in smaller communities can be slow to warm up to newcomers, but once they do, you'll have friends for life.

The people who call North Carolina home are known for their politeness, willingness to aid strangers, and warm reception of guests. People will greet you with a "hi" practically anywhere: the grocery store, the parking lot, the stoplight. One of the best things about the state is the diverse population it contains.

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 is a wonderful place to live.

Our readership seems to agree that Mainers' warmth and the state's low crime rate make it an attractive place to settle down. Mainers, in contrast to their New England counterparts, are friendly and outgoing. This is the first thing you'll notice when you get here.

Traveling across the United States, you'll find that West Virginians are among the most warm and friendly people you'll meet. The relaxed tempo of life here creates a friendly ambiance. It's a close-knit community because the mountains isolate West Virginia 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 there, 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. People here have a great sense of humor, are laid back, and are incredibly polite.

The population density of Maryland is high, 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. Bars in Baltimore are great places to meet potential best friends.

Wisconsin is a shining example of the best of the Midwest; its residents are known for their politeness, community spirit, and positive outlook. Since Green Bay is located in one of the happiest regions of the United States, its residents are naturally friendly and outgoing. Is there a chance it's related to the Packers?

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. People from North Dakota are known for being friendly and helpful, even if they don't get anything in return. In terms of community, the state received overwhelmingly positive ratings from our readers.

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.

Mississippi is a beautiful state brimming with authentic Southern hospitality. The warmth of Mississippians is often a pleasant surprise to visitors. As long as you don't try to convince them that life is better "up North," the locals are extremely friendly, and you'll quickly feel at home among them.

Before you've even had a chance to say "hello," people in Missouri will launch into a lengthy recounting of their personal histories. They're genuine in their friendliness and interest in conversing with 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 simple rule. People you don't know will go out of their way to be helpful, holding doors open and even offering to carry your groceries to your car.

Communities across South Dakota are forward-thinking and brimming with active, welcoming residents. People will strike up conversations with complete strangers about anything from the weather to a football game, even in the biggest cities. The residents of this region are the very embodiment of the term "Midwestern Nice."

No matter what you're going through, you'll find that people in Kentucky will treat you with kindness. Whether you are a lifelong resident or just passing through, you can expect the same warm welcome from the locals. It's the unique warmth of Kentuckians' hospitality that will have you packing your bags for the Bluegrass State right away.

Cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which you might not immediately associate with friendliness, actually are. Indeed, the slogan "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason; locals here are among the friendliest people you'll ever meet. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers rated it very highly. Look lost You can expect some assistance from a friendly local.

Almost everywhere you go in New Mexico, you'll find nice people. Cultures from all over the world coexist peacefully here. In addition, two New Mexico cities ranked among the top 20 most LGBT-friendly retirement destinations in 2018. So 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 major metropolitan areas like Atlanta, forming meaningful relationships with locals is a breeze. The citizens of Georgia were highly regarded by Big 7 Travel readers.

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. Idaho's reputation for friendliness and openness to visitors is well-deserved.

You can't get more Midwestern than Illinois, and the people there couldn't be friendlier. The number of tourists visiting Chicago annually exceeds that of New York City. Illinois is a great tourist destination because it is home to 19 of the safest cities in the United States, as ranked by Neighborhood Scout.

In the United States, you'll find some of the friendliest people in Nebraska. Everywhere you look, people are pitching in to help each other, giving off an overwhelming sense of community. If you can perfect 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 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. In general, locals are friendly and willing to show visitors around, especially their favorite restaurants and watering holes. It's also a fantastic destination for families, as there are many fun things to do here with children.

Because tourism is Hawaii's main industry, visitors can expect exceptional service. In common parlance, it exudes an "Aloha Spirit." Everyone you meet in paradise will greet you with a friendly smile, so clearly paradise has a healing effect on the human psyche.

There's a reason Oklahoma is home to one of America's friendliest capitals: Oklahoma City. Locals here are always up for a chat and will always look out for their own. They are just as welcoming to guests as they are to locals.

When visiting Kansas, visitors from other states may be taken aback by the state's renown friendliness. People in this state have such a warm welcome attitude toward tourists, it makes visiting this state a dream.

Having some of the friendliest people in the world, Colorado is a great place to visit thanks to its progressive culture. It's great for taking the kids, has tons of interesting things to do, and will have you feeling more at home in no time. You can feel the warmth of this place right away, no matter if you're in Denver or the middle of nowhere.

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 have a positive demeanor and an entertaining 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 large cities, it is not unusual for a complete stranger to offer assistance with tasks such as unsticking your car from snow or carrying groceries. Don't even bother coming back for your keys. Most likely, everything will be fine.

The friendly Texans and their constant "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. Its people, even in its big cities, have a friendly, welcoming attitude.

Residents of South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, which contributes to the state's reputation as a pleasant vacation destination. 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 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 People in Minnesota are known for being some of the friendliest in the country. There's a reason the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice"; the people of the Twin Cities and beyond have an inviting warmth and go out of their way to make visitors feel at home.