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. You should not linger in the street or impede traffic while taking photos for Instagram, though.

If you're from Arkansas (emphasis on if), the locals will treat you well. However, while this is great for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, it may leave out-of-towners feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome.

Even though the state of Delaware is relatively compact and can be traversed in under an hour and a half by car, its size does not necessarily equate to neighborliness. Is our readership's perception of Delaware's unfriendliness based on the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a dull place to live? Unfortunately, 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. Becoming a full-fledged Bostonian, as opposed to merely a temporary resident, can take years.

The Jersey way of life can come across as rude. And based on the results of this poll, it appears to be the case People from New Jersey tend to be more outspoken than those from other states. The (likely) unfriendly station attendant, however, 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, and its residents are justifiably proud of their heritage. This sense of pride, however, is often misinterpreted as arrogance by those from other cultures. It can be challenging to make friends among the locals here, what with their stubborn natures and the small population.

Nevada, the state where Sin City is located, is a place of striking contrasts. When compared to more welcoming destinations like Reno, Las Vegas can be a rough place to spend time. In general, 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." While the local cashier may give you a friendlier greeting in a smaller town, this is not the norm.

Readers of this publication disagree with the widespread belief that Californians are particularly friendly. When it comes to friendliness toward visitors, Los Angeles isn't exactly the City of Angels. Smaller urban centers have a more relaxed atmosphere.

You won't mistake Arizonans for being as outwardly friendly as those in the South, but they're chill enough. 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.

The people of Connecticut are friendly, if a bit reserved. Not really Even though New Englanders have a reputation for being cold and unfriendly, they will still open doors and greet you warmly when you visit. Even though it isn't the most culturally active state, its residents are able to come together at open mike nights and other community events.

Despite the state of Alaska's infrastructure, the tourism industry is thriving, and locals are eager to meet visitors. Most people in this area, with the exception of Alaska Natives, are immigrants who arrived here at some point. One of two things will happen; either that, or they will simply ignore you; in either case, they are not rude.

When you visit Montana, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the friendliness of its residents. Despite its vastness, the whole state feels more like a large village. No one will invite you over for tea, but they're still a nice person. There is friendly competition between the cities, with a warm welcome extended to visitors.

Virginia's growing diversity is making the state even more inviting and friendly. Culture-rich Washington, D.C., may come across as conservative and wary to outsiders. C and other major cities make it a promising location to live in

Vermonters are known for being warm and welcoming, so it shouldn't be hard to make friends here. Because of the abundance of tourists, the locals are friendly and willing to go out of their way to assist foreigners. Small-town Vermonters 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 welcome to visitors. Anywhere from the supermarket to the parking lot to a stoplight, people will say "hi." 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 readers seem to agree that the low crime rate and welcoming nature of Mainers contribute to the state's popularity as a relocation destination. Mainers, in contrast to their New England counterparts, are known to be friendly and outgoing. Right when you walk in, you'll notice this.

West Virginians are among the friendliest and most helpful people you'll encounter 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.

Iowans have a reputation for friendliness and kindness due to their habit of greeting complete strangers with a smile and a hello whenever they pass one another on the street. There is a genuine sense of community, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling their wares on the side of the road.

While the people of Michigan would like to believe that they are a welcoming and sociable lot, those living in Detroit and Ann Arbor, in particular, can be difficult to get along with. Everyone here has a great sense of humor and is laid back and polite in that classic Midwestern way.

The population density in Maryland is high, and the state is also home to a wide range of cultural traditions. Being welcoming to strangers makes for a lively and engaging hangout spot. In a Baltimore bar, you're 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. Given that Green Bay is consistently ranked as one of the happiest cities in America, it's no surprise that its residents are so warm and friendly. Do the Packers play a role in this at all?

However, the low population and low tourism numbers in this state have nothing to do with the quality of its residents. People in North Dakota are known for being approachable and helpful, often without any sort of payment or reward being expected in return. The state received high marks from our readers for its friendly atmosphere.

The citizens of Oregon are widely known for their friendliness toward total strangers. Portland's hipster scene may be difficult to break into, but the people there are nice, I swear. Your dog is welcome here, too, because it is the most pet-friendly state in the United States.

Mississippi is a beautiful state brimming with authentic Southern hospitality. Visitors to Mississippi are often taken aback by the warmth of its locals. After you refrain from bragging about how much better life is "up North," the locals will treat you like family and treat you like one of the family.

Before you can even say "hello," a Missourian will launch into a lengthy account of their life experiences. Sincerity and genuine interest in one another's company are not in short supply among these people.

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 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.

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. In many ways, the residents of this region are the very embodiment of the term "Midwestern Nice."

The people of Kentucky, no matter who they are or where they're from, are always pleasant. No matter if you were born and raised here or if you're just passing through, the locals will treat you with kindness. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians is enough to make anyone consider making the state their permanent home.

Although cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh may not immediately spring to mind when you think of "friendly cities," you'll find that they are. You've got a friend in Pennsylvania because its people are so warm and welcoming. Readers gave it high marks for the amount of assistance they received from total strangers. Look lost A friendly local is likely to assist you.

In most of New Mexico's communities, you'll find warm and welcoming locals. The atmosphere is chill and the range of cultures represented is impressive. In addition, two cities in the state of New Mexico were included in the 2018 list of the Top 20 Cities for LGBT-Friendly Retirement. So there you go.

In a town of only 10 people, This southern state has a population of over 3 million, and its residents are known for their warm hospitality. The state is home to both rural and urban areas. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, getting to know locals is a breeze. Many of the readers of Big 7 Travel praised Georgia.

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. The state of Idaho lives up to its reputation for 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. 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.

People from Nebraska are among the friendliest you'll find anywhere in the United States. There's a real sense of community here, with people pitching in to help one another. If you can master the "one finger" wave at the wheel, you'll blend in like a native.

People here will go out of their way to make you feel at home, despite the city's recent history of natural disasters. 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.

A state that epitomizes Midwestern courtesy and genuine goodwill toward others is Ohio. When visitors ask where they should go to eat or drink, locals are happy to give recommendations. 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. Because of its "Aloha Spirit," it has gained worldwide recognition. Everyone you meet in paradise will give you a friendly hello, as if paradise itself could cure your emotional ills.

Oklahoma is one of the friendliest states in the United States, and its capital city, "The Big Friendly," is appropriately named. The locals here are always up for a chat and will do whatever they can to protect their own. They treat guests with the same warmth and hospitality they do locals.

Kansas is known for its welcoming residents and visitors alike, so don't be surprised if you strike up a conversation with a complete stranger. The friendly nature of the locals is one of the state's many attractions.

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 history, and will soon have you feeling like a native. Whether you're in the city of Denver or the suburbs, the warmth of the locals will greet you with open arms.

The people of Indiana take great pride in their famous "Hoosier hospitality," in which they routinely go out of their way to help strangers. The locals have a positive disposition and a great 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 major metropolitan areas, it is not unusual for a complete stranger to offer assistance with tasks such as shoveling 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" 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. Locals in its big cities will make you feel like you've come home to their small towns.

The people of South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, which is one of the reasons the state is so enjoyable to visit. South Carolina embodies the warm welcome and generous spirit that have come to define the Southern states.

Tennessee is bursting with that quintessential Southern hospitality, and its citizens are energized and excited to show off their hometown to visitors. When you factor in its vibrant music scene, it's easy to see why this is one of America's friendliest states.

The most welcoming state in the United States is The people of Minnesota are the friendliest in the nation. There's a reason why the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice"; the people of the Twin Cities and beyond have an inviting, friendly demeanor that's hard to find elsewhere.