List of the 50 Friendliest U.S. States

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. Just don't linger in the street or impede traffic while snapping photos for Instagram.

If you're from Arkansas (emphasis on if), the locals will treat you well. That may bode well for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, but it may leave out-of-towners feeling awkward and unwelcome.

Delaware may be a small state, with a total driving time of only 90 minutes, but its lack of neighborliness is not to be taken lightly. Do our readers view Delaware as unwelcoming because of the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a dull place to live? Unhappily, it's considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

The people of Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, but their apathy toward tourists can be off-putting. Massachusetts is not exactly the friendliest state in America due to its residents' tendency to ignore them. Becoming a full-fledged Bostonian, as opposed to a temporary resident, is a lengthy process as well.

The Jersey way of life can come across as rude. Indeed, according to the results of this poll, that is the situation People from New Jersey have a reputation for being blunt and direct. But at least the (likely unfriendly) gas station worker will fill up your tank.

When it comes to environmental friendliness, Washington state may consistently rank high, but when it comes to people, it's a different story. Seattleites aren't outright unfriendly, but they do have a "polite but unfriendly" vibe. Perhaps the constant downpours are to blame.

Beautiful scenery and a population that takes great pride in their home state make New Hampshire a desirable place to live. 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. When compared to more welcoming destinations like Reno, Las Vegas can be a cutthroat place to spend some time. On the whole, Nevadans are not particularly willing to go out of their way to assist a complete stranger.

When you consider that Miami is consistently ranked as one of the least welcoming cities in the United States, you can see that Florida has its work cut out for it. 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. The residents of Rhode Island were not high on the 'friendly scale' according to Big 7 Travel readers. In general, the local cashier will not be particularly friendly, though they are more likely to smile in smaller communities.

However, our readers do not share the common belief that Californians are as sociable as the state would have you believe. When it comes to friendliness toward visitors, Los Angeles is no City of Angels. In fact, it has a decidedly unfriendly, even rude, atmosphere. The pace of life is slower in smaller towns.

You won't mistake Arizonans for being as outwardly friendly as those in the South, but they're chill enough. When waiting in line, it's the kind of place where total strangers will start talking to each other; however, you shouldn't count on anyone being overly cheerful. A pleasant indifference to other people's feelings.

The people of Connecticut are friendly and outgoing despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. A lot less than that Although New Englanders have a reputation for being cold and unfriendly, they will always open doors for you and greet you with a friendly hello. 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. Outside of the Alaskan Native population, the vast majority of current Alaskans can relate to the experience of being a newcomer. They might not respond to you at all, which is not rude, or they might.

The people of Montana will surprise you with their hospitality. Despite its vastness, the whole state feels more like a large village. They're pleasant enough to interact with, but you won't be invited to their homes for tea. Between cities, there is friendly banter, with an upbeat outlook on visitors.

Virginia's growing diversity is making the state even more inviting and friendly. Washington, D.C., is a cultural mecca, but some might say that it's too traditional and too wary of strangers. C and other major cities, it's a promising location.

The people of Vermont are known for being warm and welcoming, making it simple to meet new friends. Since tourism is so important, residents will generally go out of their way to assist guests. 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.

A majority of people in North Carolina are polite, helpful, and welcoming. You can hear a "hi" in the most unexpected places, such as the grocery store, the parking lot, or even while waiting at a red light. One of the best things about the state is the diverse population it contains.

Utahns are well-known for their warm hospitality, so you'll quickly feel at ease. 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.

Most of our readers agree that Maine is a great place to call home because of its low crime rate and welcoming community. The people of New England are known for their reserved nature, but Mainers are known for their openness and friendliness. Upon your arrival, you'll notice this right away.

West Virginians are known for being some of the friendliest and most helpful people you'll encounter anywhere in the United States. The relaxed tempo of life here creates 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.

The people of Iowa are known for their friendliness and politeness; it's common to see them greet complete strangers as they pass one another on the street and even wave. There's a genuine sense of community there, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling their wares on the side of the road.

Although Michiganders like to think of themselves as a warm and welcoming people, some cities, like Detroit and Ann Arbor, can be difficult to get to know. The locals have a great sense of humor, are laid back, and are incredibly polite for being from the Midwest.

The population density in Maryland is high, and the state is also home to a wide range of cultural traditions. As a result of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has become a lively and exciting place to spend time with friends. One of the best places to meet potential best friends in Baltimore is at a bar.

Wisconsin is a shining example of the best of the Midwest, with friendly, polite citizens who value their communities and enjoy life. The residents of Green Bay, Wisconsin, are known for their unfailing good nature. This is not surprising, given that the city ranks among the happiest in the country. Possibly the Packers are involved.

It's not because of the quality of the locals that this is one of the least populated and least visited states in the United States. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and willingness to lend a hand without demanding anything in return. The state received high marks from our readers for its friendly atmosphere.

Oregonians have a reputation for being friendly and welcoming to visitors. It may take some time to earn acceptance into Portland's hipster scene, but the people there are nice, I swear. You can bring your dog along because it is the most pet-friendly state in the USA.

Mississippi is an attractive state that exudes plenty of traditional Southern warmth. The friendliness of Mississippians often comes as a pleasant surprise to visitors. Once you refrain from ranting about how much better life is "up North," the locals will treat you like family and treat you like you always belonged there.

Before you've even had a chance to say "hello," a Missourian will launch into a lengthy recounting of their life experiences. They're genuine in their friendliness and interest in conversing with strangers.

Everyone in Alabama will treat you with kindness if you treat them with kindness. Alabama is one of the friendliest states in America if you follow that rule of thumb. The act of being nice is rewarded, and strangers will go out of their way to help you with everything from holding the door open to carrying bags of groceries to your car.

Many towns and cities in South Dakota are progressive and full of involved and pleasant 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 who you are or what you're doing, you'll find that people in Kentucky are friendly. It doesn't matter if you're a lifelong resident or just passing through; the locals will treat you with the same warmth and friendliness. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians is enough to make anyone consider making the state their permanent home.

Some cities, like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, may not immediately spring to mind when you think of "friendly," but that's exactly what you'll find. The phrase "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason; locals truly are friendly. As far as random acts of kindness from strangers go, our readers gave it high marks. Look lost In most cases, a friendly local will offer assistance.

It's typical of New Mexico to find welcoming locals in even the smallest communities. Relaxed and rich in cultural variety. New Mexico is home to two cities that were named among the top 20 most LGBT-friendly retirement destinations in the country in 2018. So there you go.

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 larger cities like Atlanta, getting to know people is simple. Those who read the Big 7 Travel report on Georgia thought it was wonderful.

Numerous readers agreed with the widespread belief that Idahoans are among the friendliest in the country. The locals are genuinely warm and inviting, and not in a stalkerish way. The state of Idaho lives up to its reputation for friendliness and openness to visitors.

People in Illinois, located in the center of the Midwest, are known for their extreme friendliness. The number of tourists visiting Chicago annually exceeds that of New York City. Also, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a great state to visit.

Sweethearts abound in the state of Nebraska. The sense of community is palpable, with people of all ages and backgrounds pitching in to help one another. If you can master the "one finger" wave while driving, you'll blend in just like a native.

In spite of the recent natural disasters, the locals here will do anything to make you feel at home. Louisianans may come from many different 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.

When it comes to good manners and genuine kindness toward strangers, Ohio is a shining example of the Midwest at its finest. Tourists can confidently ask locals for recommendations on where to eat or drink, as the people living there are friendly and open. Moreover, it's a fantastic destination for families thanks to the abundance of fun things to do here that children will love.

Hawaii places a premium on its tourist industry, so visitors can expect to be treated like royalty. "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.

The Big Friendly is not a random moniker for Oklahoma City; the Sooner State is known for its welcoming locals. The locals here are always up for a chat and will always look out for their own. Guests are treated with the same warmth and hospitality.

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.

This state has some of the friendliest people in the world and a progressive environment that makes for a great vacation. 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.

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 disposition and a great 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's not unusual for a stranger to offer to help you with something like unsticking your car from snow or carrying your groceries. Don't bother getting out of the car. With any luck, everything will be fine.

Warm welcomes and "Howdy"s from Texans are a staple. Its welcoming culture and "everywhere you go" attitude have assured its place among the friendliest U.S. states. The locals in its major cities will make you feel right at home with their warm hospitality.

The warm hospitality of South Carolinians is well-known, and the state is often cited as a top vacation destination. South Carolina exemplifies the Southern tradition of warm welcome and generous spirit.

Tennessee is bursting with that quintessential Southern hospitality, and its citizens are energized and excited to show off their hometown to visitors. Combine that with one of the most active music scenes in the country, and it's easy to see why this is such a welcoming place to live.

Finally, the winner among the most welcoming U.S. states is The people of Minnesota are the friendliest in the nation, making the state a clear winner. There's a good reason why the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice"; the people of the Twin Cities and beyond go above and beyond to make visitors feel at home.