List of the 50 Friendliest U.S. States

In the beginning, locals (especially those living in the upstate) may 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 cause traffic delays by taking photos for Instagram, though.

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

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.

The people of Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, but their apathy toward 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.

The Jersey way of life can come across as rude. It appears that is the case in this poll. It's common knowledge that people from New Jersey have bold, outspoken characters. At least the (likely unfriendly) gas station worker will pump your gas for you.

Although Washington state often places highly on lists of environmentally-friendly states, when it comes to its residents, things are quite different. Locals aren't rude, but they do give off a "polite but unfriendly" vibe, hence the name "Seattle freeze." Perhaps it's the deluge of rain that has been falling recently.

New Hampshire is a stunning state, and its residents are justifiably proud of their heritage. That self-respect, however, is often misread as arrogance by those from the outside looking in. It can be difficult to make friends among the locals here, and the area's sparse rural population doesn't help matters.

Nevada, where Sin City is located, is a state of extremes. If you're looking for a more welcoming vacation destination than Las Vegas, consider heading to Reno. Locals in the state of Nevada, on the whole, 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. Orlando's tourist-friendly initiatives are a big boon for the state, but Florida as a whole has a reputation problem.

To put it bluntly, if you weren't raised in Rhode Island, you probably always will be an outsider here. Readers of Big 7 Travel did not give Rhode Islanders high marks on the publication's "friendly scale." A local cashier might be friendlier in a smaller town, but in general, don't expect a warm welcome.

Despite the state's reputation for friendliness, our readers in other states are not impressed. When it comes to making visitors feel at home, Los Angeles is no City of Angels. Smaller urban centers have a more relaxed atmosphere.

There's no denying that Arizona doesn't have the same kind of blatant friendliness as the South, but the locals are chill enough to ignore that. You can expect to have small talk with strangers while waiting in line, but no big grins. The attitude is one of pleasant indifference to other people.

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. Even though it isn't the most culturally active state, residents still manage to pull together through open mike nights and other community gatherings.

Though Alaska is remote, the tourism industry is vital to the state's economy, so locals are always happy to see visitors. In fact, with the exception of Alaskan Natives, the vast majority of the locals here are immigrants who arrived in the area at some point. They may do this or simply ignore you; either way, they are not rude.

People in Montana are surprisingly friendly and welcoming. Although large, the entire state has the feel of a large town. A nice person like this won't invite you over for tea, but they will still treat you well. There is friendly competition between the cities, with a warm welcome extended to visitors.

As the state's population becomes more ethnically and racially diverse, it becomes even more welcoming and friendly. D.C. is a cultural mecca, but some may view it as conservative and wary. C and other major cities, it's a great place to live.

Making new friends in Vermont is simple because its residents are warm and welcoming. Given the region's reliance on tourism, residents are generally eager to accommodate tourists. Though 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.

Residents of North Carolina are known for their polite demeanor, willingness to aid strangers, and warm reception of guests. Just about anywhere, from Walmart to the parking lot to a stoplight, you'll hear someone say "hi." A notable aspect of the state is the diversity of its inhabitants.

The locals in Utah are known for their warm hospitality, so you'll quickly feel at ease here. Salt Lake City is one of the most sociable and exciting places to live in the United States, and it is also considered to be one of the most welcoming cities for the LGBTQ community.

It seems that our readers share our opinion that Maine is a great place to call home because of its low crime rate and welcoming locals. Mainers, in contrast to their New England contemporaries, are friendly and outgoing. This is the first thing you'll notice when you get here.

West Virginians are among the friendliest and most hospitable people you'll meet anywhere in the United States. Life here is relaxed, making for a friendly ambiance. There is a tight-knit sense of community in West Virginia because the state is essentially walled off 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, 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.

Maryland has a large cultural diversity despite being one of the most populous states. 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 shining example of the best of the Midwest; its residents are known for their politeness, community spirit, and positive outlook. As one of the United States' happiest cities, Green Bay's residents are naturally friendly. Do the Packers play a role in this at all?

You won't find many people living here or tourists passing through, but that has nothing to do with the quality of the people who do call it home. People from North Dakota are known for their friendliness and willingness to lend a hand without seeking anything in return. The state received high marks from our readers for its friendly atmosphere.

As a state, Oregon is known for its residents' friendliness toward those they have never met before. It may take some time to earn acceptance into Portland's hipster scene, but I promise it's worth it. Your dog is welcome here, too, because it is the most pet-friendly state in the United States.

When it comes to Southern hospitality, Mississippi is hard to beat. The friendliness of Mississippians often comes as a pleasant surprise to visitors from elsewhere. Once you stop bragging about how much better it is "up North" and start acting like one of the locals, the locals here will treat you like family.

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 interest in conversing with strangers.

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, progressive communities full of engaged and friendly people in South Dakota. People here will strike up casual 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 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 you pack your bags and move here tomorrow.

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are two cities that might not immediately spring to mind when you think of "friendly cities," but that is exactly what they are. The phrase "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason; locals truly are friendly. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers ranked it very highly. Look lost There's a decent person around here who might lend a hand if you ask.

Almost everywhere you go in New Mexico, you'll meet nice people. It has a relaxed vibe and a wide variety of ethnic and cultural influences. Even more impressive, two New Mexico cities ranked among the top 20 most LGBT-friendly retirement destinations in the United States in 2018. That sums it up

With only ten people, With a population of over 3 million people, this southern state offers a fascinating blend of rural and urban settings. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, getting to know people is simple. Readers of Big 7 Travel thought Georgia was great.

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. As a state, Idaho truly lives up to its reputation for genuine friendliness and openness to visitors.

Illinois, located in the center of the Midwest, is home to extremely welcoming locals. The number of tourists visiting Chicago annually exceeds that of New York City. A lot of the best cities in the United States can be found in Illinois, and the state as a whole is a pretty safe place to visit.

The people of Nebraska are among the friendliest you'll find anywhere in the United States. Almost anywhere you look, you'll find people pitching in to help one another, creating a strong sense of community. If you can master the "one finger" wave while driving, you'll blend in just like a native.

Despite the region's recent history of natural disasters, the locals will do anything to make you feel at home. Louisiana is home to a wide variety of cultures, but its residents all share a commitment to making their home state one of the most welcoming and enjoyable places to live in the United States.

The good manners and genuine friendliness of the Ohioans are legendary throughout the Midwest. The locals are friendly and willing to show visitors their favorite spots for eating and drinking. It's also fantastic for families, as there are many things to do there that are geared toward children.

There is a strong emphasis on tourism in Hawaii, which means that guests are well taken care of in terms of hospitality. The "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 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 those within their own community. And they're 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.

To top off its progressive vibe, Colorado is home to some of the friendliest people on the planet, making for a fantastic vacation destination. It's great for taking the kids, has a ton 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.

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 demeanor and an entertaining sense of humor. After just one trip, 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, it is not unusual for a stranger to help you carry your groceries or free your stuck car from the snow. The car keys are still in the ignition. Most likely, everything will be fine.

The friendly Texans and their constant "Howdys" Its reputation as one of the most welcoming states in the United States is due in no small part to the fact that people are generally nice there. The locals in its major cities will make you feel right at home with their warm hospitality.

The people of South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, which makes the state a great vacation destination. South Carolina exemplifies the warm hospitality and generous spirit for which the South is famous.

Classical Southern hospitality is alive and well in Tennessee, where the people are friendly and excited to show off their hometown. A vibrant music scene also helps explain why this is one of America's friendliest states.

As for the most welcoming state in the Union, it is Winner: Minnesota, whose residents stand out for their warmth and hospitality. 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.