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. Don't block the sidewalk or get in the way of traffic while taking photos for Instagram, though.

As long as you're a local, Arkansas residents tend to be welcoming. In spite of the state of Arkansas's reputation for neighborly friendliness, some out-of-staters may feel they don't belong there.

The state of Delaware is so small that it can be crossed in 90 minutes by car, but its size doesn't 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? Sadly, 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 one of the friendliest states in America due to its residents' tendency to ignore them. Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, can take years.

The Jersey way of life can come across as rude. According to the results of this poll, that appears to be the case. It's common knowledge that people from New Jersey have bold, outspoken characters. The gas station attendant may not be very friendly, but at least they'll 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, and its residents are justifiably proud of their heritage. However, this sense of pride is sometimes misinterpreted 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, home to "Sin City," is a state of striking contrasts. Reno and other nearby cities are more welcoming than Las Vegas, which can have a cutthroat atmosphere. 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 has its work cut out for it, as Miami is consistently ranked as one of the unfriendliest cities in the United States. Orlando's tourist-friendly initiatives are a huge boon to the state, but Florida as a whole still needs to improve its image.

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 "friendly scale." Though local cashiers are more likely to smile in smaller communities, this is not the case in larger cities.

People in California like to think of themselves as friendly, but our readers don't agree. When it comes to making visitors feel at home, Los Angeles is no hospitable city. In fact, it has a reputation for being unfriendly to those who aren't already familiar with the area. 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 nonetheless. You can expect to have small talk with strangers while waiting in line, but no big grins. A pleasant indifference to other people's feelings.

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. Actually, no. In spite of the region's reputation for coldness, you can count on a friendly greeting and a helping hand wherever you go. 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. Actually, most people in this area aren't Alaska Natives and were once newcomers, so they understand what it's like to be an outsider. They may do so, or they may simply ignore you, but in either case they are not rude.

The people of Montana will surprise you with their friendliness and hospitality. Despite its large size, the entire state has the feel of a large town. Someone who won't invite you over for tea, but is nice all the same. 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 hospitable and inviting to newcomers. A cultural mecca, Washington, D.C. may come across as traditional and wary to outsiders. C and other major cities, it's a great place to live.

Vermonters are known for being open and hospitable, making it simple to strike up conversations with strangers and quickly feel at home. In general, due to the high volume of tourists, the locals here are extremely friendly and willing to go above and beyond to accommodate visitors' needs. Vermonters in smaller communities can be slow to warm up to newcomers, but once they do, you'll have friends for life.

Citizens of North Carolina are known for their polite demeanor, willingness to aid strangers, and warm welcome of visitors. 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 known for their warm hospitality, so you should feel right at home here. To top it all off, Salt Lake City is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly major cities in the United States, making it a wonderful place to live if you enjoy a lively and social environment.

Our readers seem to agree that Maine is a good place to call home because of its low crime rate and welcoming population. Mainers, in contrast to their New England counterparts, are known for being friendly and outgoing. As soon as you step foot in this location, you'll notice this.

When traveling across the United States, you'll find that West Virginians are among the most warm and friendly people you'll encounter. There is a relaxed tempo of life that makes for 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.

People in Iowa are known to be friendly and helpful, often greeting and waving at strangers as they pass them on the street. A genuine sense of community permeates the area, as evidenced by the friendly service you'll receive from the cashiers and the eagerness of the roadside farmers to share their wares with you.

Michiganders fancy themselves a sociable lot, but the cities of Detroit and Ann Arbor in particular can be difficult to get to know. Typical of the Midwest, locals here are friendly, laid-back, and humorous.

As one of the most populous states in the country, Maryland is also a culturally rich melting pot. Because of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has a thriving, social atmosphere. The local bar scene in Baltimore is fantastic for meeting potential best friends.

There are good manners, a strong sense of community, and a positive outlook in Wisconsin, a gem of the Midwest. People in Green Bay are exceptionally pleasant to be around because it is one of the happiest cities in America. Possibly the Packers are involved.

This may be one of the least-visited states in the United States, but that has nothing to do with the quality of its residents. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and generosity. Community spirit in the state was highly rated by our readers.

There is a common perception that Oregonians are exceptionally friendly 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.

Charming and full of Southern sweetness, Mississippi is a wonderful place to visit. The friendliness of Mississippians often comes as a pleasant surprise to visitors. Once you stop bragging about how great it is "up North" to the locals, they will treat you like family and treat you like one of the family.

Before you've even said "hello," a Missourian will launch into a lengthy recounting of their life experiences. They are genuine in their friendliness, and they show genuine interest in the perspectives 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 follow that rule of thumb. Totally out of the goodness of their hearts, total strangers will do things like hold the door open and help you carry your groceries to your car.

It's easy to find a progressive, forward-thinking community full of involved and welcoming residents in South Dakota. The culture here encourages open conversation between strangers, even in the largest cities. It's safe to say that the residents of this region personify the term "Midwestern Nice."

You'll find that Kentuckians are a genuinely pleasant bunch. Locals treat everyone with the same warm hospitality whether they are lifelong residents or visitors. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians is enough to convince anyone to pack their bags and head to the Bluegrass State.

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, as the locals genuinely enjoy making new friends. Those who read it gave it high marks for the generosity of total strangers. Look lost Assume that a friendly local will lend a hand if you ask.

In most of New Mexico's communities, you'll find warm and welcoming locals. It has a relaxed atmosphere and a wide variety of cultural influences. 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.

With only ten people, There are 3 million people in this state in the southern United States, and while they may live in one of the many different types of neighborhoods, they are all very welcoming. Even in major metropolises like Atlanta, getting to know locals is a breeze. A majority of Big 7 Travel readers found Georgia to be a pleasant surprise.

As has been said many times before, our readers agree that Idahoans are among the friendliest people in the country. True friendliness among the populace, without the intrusiveness The state of Idaho lives up to its reputation for friendliness and openness to visitors.

Illinois is a state in the center of the United States's Midwest, and its residents are some of the friendliest you'll ever meet. In comparison to New York City, Chicago is widely regarded as one of the most tourist-friendly cities in the United States. Also, 19 of the safest cities in the United States can be found in Illinois, making it a great state for tourists.

It's true what they say about Nebraskans: they're some of the friendliest people you'll meet anywhere in the United States. 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 at the wheel, 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.

The good manners and genuine friendliness of Ohioans are legendary throughout the Midwest. It is easy to make friends with locals, and they will gladly show you around their favorite restaurant or bar. This is an excellent destination for families, as there are many enjoyable options for children of all ages to participate in.

Visitors to Hawaii receive exceptional service because the state places a premium on the tourist industry. The "Aloha Spirit" is what makes this place famous. 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. Here, people are always up for a chat and will do anything they can to protect those within their own community. They treat guests with the same warmth as locals.

When visiting Kansas, visitors from other states may be taken aback by the state's renown friendliness. The warmth of the locals toward visitors is one of the state's greatest attractions.

Colorado is a great state to visit because of its progressive culture and welcoming locals. It's great for families, there's lots to do, and newcomers will quickly feel at home among the friendly locals. You can feel the friendliness 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 pleasant disposition and a good sense of humor. Once you visit Indiana, you'll realize it's so much more than a "fly over" state.

While Wyoming as a whole is relatively tranquil, the people who call it home make it anything but boring. Even in large cities, strangers often help each other out with things like unsticking their cars from snow or carrying groceries. Don't even bother coming back for the keys. Most likely, everything will be fine.

The friendly Texans and their constant "Howdys" are a trademark. There is no doubt that its reputation as one of the most welcoming states in the United States is due in large part to the fact that people there are extremely nice wherever you go Its people in both its big cities and its small towns will welcome you with open arms.

People in South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, which is one of the reasons the state is so enjoyable to visit. South Carolina exemplifies the warm welcome and generous spirit for which the South is famous.

Tennessee has that classic Southern charm going strong, with residents who are buzzing with excitement and eager to show off their city to visitors. When you factor in its vibrant music scene, it's easy to see why this is one of America's friendliest states.

Finally, the most welcoming state in the United States is The people of Minnesota are so warm and welcoming that the state ranks first. The Twin Cities and the rest of Minnesota have an unbeatable "Minnesota Nice" vibe thanks to the friendly, down-to-earth locals and numerous tourist-friendly attractions.