List of the 50 Friendliest U.S. States

At first glance, locals (especially those in the countryside) could ), but it's a great place to experience a wide range of cultures in one place, and the neighborhoods across the five boroughs of New York City have a strong sense of community if you can make it through the initial shock. 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 uncomfortable and unwelcome.

Despite its diminutive size (a full day's drive will take you across the entire state of Delaware), Delaware is not exactly neighborly. Do our readers view Delaware as unwelcoming because of the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a boring place to live? Regrettably, it is considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

While residents of Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, their lack of interest in interacting with tourists can be wearing. Ignoring people isn’t exactly a trait that will put Massachusetts among the friendliest states in America Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, can take years.

The Jersey way of life can come across as extremely impolite. And based on the results of this poll, it appears to be the case The people of New Jersey are notoriously outspoken. The (likely) unfriendly gas station worker will at least pump your gas for you.

If you're looking at environmental friendliness, the state of Washington may always be near the top of the list. The people of Seattle aren't outright unfriendly, but they do have a certain "polite but unfriendly" air about them, hence the nickname "the Seattle freeze." Perhaps it's all the wet weather

This state is stunning, and its residents are justifiably proud of their heritage and home. However, this sense of pride is sometimes misinterpreted as arrogance by those from other cultures. The locals are known to be unfriendly, and the area's low population density and prevalence of rural areas make it even more challenging to make new friends.

Nevada, the site of Sin City, is a state of striking contrasts. When compared to more welcoming destinations like Reno, Las Vegas can be a cutthroat place to spend some time. Locals in Nevada, on the whole, aren't particularly willing to go out of their way to assist a complete stranger.

Florida has its work cut out for it if Miami is consistently ranked as one of the least friendly cities in America. Cities like Orlando, with their tourist-friendly initiatives, are doing a lot to boost the state's reputation, but Florida as a whole has a ways to go.

If you’re not born and raised in RI, chances are you’ll always been seen as an outsider The residents of Rhode Island weren't very high on the 'friendly scale' according to Big 7 Travel readers. Smaller communities tend to be friendlier, but even the cashier at the corner store probably won't smile at you.

Even though many people in California take pride in their reputation as being welcoming, our readers tend to disagree. Los Angeles is no City of Angels when it comes to making strangers feel welcome, with an overall aloof-bordering-on-rude vibe The pace of life is slower in smaller towns.

Arizona lacks the Southern's blatant friendliness, but the locals are chill enough to make up for it. Expect to have a conversation with a complete stranger while waiting in line, but don't count on anyone breaking out in a full-blown grin. Rather, it's a pleasant indifference to other people.

In general, Connecticut residents are courteous, reserved, and pleasant; however, they can be downright warm and welcoming to visitors. However, that's not the case 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 have fun and get together at open mike nights and other community events.

Although Alaska is quite remote, the tourism industry is vital to the state's economy, so locals are always happy to see visitors. Aside from Alaskan Natives, the vast majority of current residents here were once foreigners, so they understand what it's like to start over in a strange place. Either that, or they’ll ignore you, but they’re far from rude

Montanans are among the most hospitable people you'll ever meet. Despite its vastness, the entire state has the feel of a single large town. They're nice, but don't expect an invitation to their house for tea. Greetings to visitors are met with a friendly attitude and lighthearted banter between the towns.

Virginia's growing diversity is making the state even more inviting and friendly. Washington, D.C. is a cultural hub, but some may view the city as conservative and wary of outsiders. C and other major cities make it a great place to live.

Vermonters are known for being warm and welcoming, making it simple to strike up conversations with total strangers. 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.

North Carolinians, in general, are polite, helpful, and welcoming. People will greet you with a "hi" almost anywhere: the grocery store, the parking lot, the stoplight. A notable aspect of the state is the diversity of its inhabitants.

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.

Our readers agree that Maine is a great place to settle down because of its low crime rate and welcoming community. Mainers, in contrast to their New England contemporaries, are known to be friendly and outgoing. This is something you'll notice as soon as you step foot in the door.

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 environment. Due in part to the state's geographical isolation, West Virginia is home to a tight-knit community.

It's common for Iowans to greet strangers with a smile and a hello as they pass one another on the street, contributing to the state's reputation for friendliness. There is a genuine sense of community, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling their wares on the side of the road.

Michiganders fancy themselves a sociable lot, but the cities of Detroit and Ann Arbor in particular can be difficult to get to know. People here have a good sense of humor, are laid back, and are polite in that Midwestern way.

Among the most populous states, Maryland also features a wide range of ethnic and cultural communities. 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 citizens are known for their politeness, community spirit, and positive outlook. Green Bay is consistently ranked as one of the happiest cities in the country, so it's no surprise that its residents are so warm and friendly. 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 fantastic residents. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and generosity. The community spirit in the state received high marks from our readers.

It's common knowledge that Oregonians are exceptionally friendly to total strangers. It may take some time to earn respect among Portland's hipsters, but I promise it'll be worth it. Your dog is welcome here, too, because it is the most pet-friendly state in the United States.

Typical of the South, Mississippi exudes a warm and welcoming vibe. 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 an epic monologue about 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. Alabama is one of the friendliest states in America if you follow that rule of thumb. Just because they want to be nice, random people will do nice things for you like hold the door open or help you carry your groceries to your car.

South Dakota is home to a wide variety of thriving, progressive communities populated by active, engaged, and welcoming locals. 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."

In Kentucky, you’ll quickly find that people are nice no matter what 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 will have you packing your bags and heading south right away.

The likes of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are not necessarily the first places that come to mind when you think of "friendly cities," but they are. The phrase "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason, as the locals genuinely enjoy making new friends. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers ranked it highly. Look lost A friendly local is likely to assist you.

Most residents of New Mexico's towns and cities are warm and welcoming. 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 go.

With a population of 10 With a population of over 3 million people, this southern state offers a diverse range of rural and urban settings, but its residents are known for their warm hospitality. Here, even in major metropolises like Atlanta, getting to know people is simple. The Georgians were viewed favorably by Big 7 Travel readers.

Innumerable readers agreed with the widespread belief that Idahoans are among the friendliest in the country. The locals are genuinely nice, and not in a stalkerish manner. The state of Idaho lives up to its reputation for genuine friendliness and acceptance of strangers.

Locals in Illinois, located smack dab in the middle of the Midwest, are known for their warmth and hospitality. As a top tourist destination in the United States, Chicago rivals New York City in popularity. Also, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a great state to visit.

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

Even though the area has had a rough go of it recently due to natural disasters, the locals will do anything they can to make you feel at home. Although 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.

Ohioans are known for their gracious demeanor and genuine enthusiasm for life in the Midwest. The 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.

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

This is one of the friendliest states in the United States, and it's not just because Oklahoma City is called "The Big Friendly." The locals here are always up for a chat 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. Friendly locals are one of the state's many attractions.

Traveling to Colorado is a pleasure because of its progressive culture and the fact that its residents are among the friendliest anywhere. It's great for families, there's a ton to see and do, and tourists quickly begin to feel at home. No matter if you're in Denver or the middle of nowhere, the warmth of this place will greet you right away.

The people of Indiana take great pride in their legendary "Hoosier hospitality," in which they routinely go out of their way to help strangers. People here are good-natured, with a good sense of humour After just one trip, you'll realize that Indiana is so much more than a "fly over" state.

While the state of Wyoming is relatively calm, the people who live there make it a lively and exciting place to visit. 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. Don't even bother getting out of the car. It's probably going to make it out unscathed.

The vivacious Texans and their "Howdys" are a trademark. Its reputation as one of the most welcoming places in the United States is due in no small part to the fact that people are generally nice everywhere you go. The locals in its major cities will make you feel right at home, as if you'd traveled to one of the smaller towns that surround them.

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 embodies the warm welcome and generous spirit that have come to define the Southern states.

Tennessee is the epitome of classic Southern hospitality, and its citizens are always excited to show visitors around. It's already one of the most welcoming places in America, but when you factor in the exciting music scene, you can see why.

As for the most welcoming state in the Union, it is The people of Minnesota are the friendliest in the country. It’s called ‘Minnesota Nice’ for a reason – the atmosphere in the Twin Cities and beyond is hard to match, with a homey feel and locals who go the extra mile to welcome tourists