List of the 50 Friendliest U.S. States

Some of the locals (especially those in the upstate) may come off as rude at 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 sense of community. 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.

Although the entire state of Delaware can be covered in 90 minutes by car, the people living there are hardly neighborly. Is it the (possibly unfair) stereotype of Delawareans as unsociable that causes our readers to form such an opinion? In a sad twist of fate, it's considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

Even though most people in Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, the general apathy they exhibit toward tourists can be wearing. Massachusetts isn't exactly one of the friendliest states in America if its residents are characterized by their tendency to ignore one another. Becoming a full-fledged Bostonian, rather than a temporary resident, can take years of hard work.

Sometimes, the Jersey way of life is misunderstood as rudeness. And according to the results of this poll, that's unquestionably the situation New Jersey residents are notoriously forthright. The (likely) unfriendly gas station worker will pump your gas, though.

Washington State may be near the top of lists of environmentally-friendly states, but its human inhabitants are another story. Even though Seattleites don't come across as rude, they do have a "polite but unfriendly" vibe, which has earned the city its nickname, "Seattle freeze." Perhaps it's all the wet weather

New Hampshire is a stunning state, and its residents are justifiably proud of their heritage. It's easy for others to misinterpret such pride as arrogance. It can be difficult to make friends among the locals, and the area's sparse rural population doesn't help.

Nevada, where Sin City is located, is a state of extremes. 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.

Florida certainly has its work cut out for it if Miami is consistently ranked as one of the least friendly 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 magazine's "friendly scale." Neighborhood cashiers are friendlier in smaller towns, but in general, don't expect a warm welcome anywhere.

Readers of this publication disagree with the widespread belief that Californians are a friendly bunch. When it comes to making guests feel at home, Los Angeles is not the City of Angels. A more relaxed pace of life can be found in smaller towns.

Arizona certainly doesn't have the Southern-style openness, but the locals are generally chill. If you're waiting in line, you can expect to strike up a conversation with a total stranger, but don't count on any huge grins being exchanged. A pleasant indifference to other people's feelings.

The people of Connecticut are friendly, if a bit reserved. Maybe not as much Despite their reputation for coldness, New Englanders will always hold the door for you and offer a friendly greeting. While not the most culturally rich state, its residents are able to come 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. Most people in this area, with the exception of Alaska Natives, are immigrants who arrived here at some point. They may do so, or they may simply ignore you; either way, they are not rude.

People in Montana are surprisingly friendly and welcoming. Despite its large size, 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. The townspeople joke around and treat visitors with friendliness.

Virginia's increasing diversity is making the state even more inviting and friendly to newcomers. Washington, D.C. is a cultural mecca, but some may view the city as conservative and wary of outsiders. C it's a great place to live because of its proximity to other cities.

Vermonters are known for being warm and welcoming, making it simple to make new friends. Given the region's reliance on tourism, residents are generally eager to accommodate tourists. Even though it may take some time for the locals in a small Vermont town to warm up to a newcomer, 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. It's not uncommon for strangers to greet one another in public places like Walmart, parking lots, and even while waiting for a red light to turn green. One of the best things about this 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 friendly and outgoing. This will be immediately apparent to you upon your arrival.

Among the people you'll encounter in your travels across the United States, you'll find West Virginians to be among the most warm and friendly. Here, people move at a relaxed pace, creating a friendly environment. Because of the mountains' role as a buffer zone between the state of West Virginia and the rest of the country, the people who live there tend to stick together.

Iowans have a reputation for friendliness and kindness due to their habit of greeting complete strangers with a smile and a wave as they pass them on the street. There is a genuine sense of community, 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. Typical of the Midwest, locals here are friendly, laid-back, and humorous.

Maryland has a high population density and is a cultural melting pot. Since it welcomes visitors from all over the world, it's a lively and friendly place to hang out with friends. 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, a state whose citizens are known for their politeness, community spirit, and positive outlook. Because Green Bay is one of the happiest cities in America, its residents are naturally friendly. A connection to the Packers is possible.

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 being friendly and helpful, even if they don't get anything in return. The state received high marks from our readers for its friendly atmosphere.

Those in Oregon are known for their friendliness toward total strangers. Even though Portland's hipster scene may be difficult to break into, the people there are nice (I swear). You can bring your dog along because it is the most pet-friendly state in the USA.

It's undeniable that Mississippi is a beautiful state, full of all the warmth and hospitality that The friendliness of the locals is often cited as a point of surprise for visitors to Mississippi. 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.

When you meet a Missourian, you can expect to hear their entire life story before you've even said hello. There is no pretense or false friendliness here; people are genuinely kind and curious to hear from 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. People are so nice that they will help you with things like holding the door open and carrying your groceries to your car.

South Dakota is home to a wide variety of thriving, progressive communities populated by actively engaged and hospitable people. 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 area are the very embodiment of the term "Midwestern Nice."

No matter who you are or what you're doing, you'll find that Kentuckians will treat you with kindness. 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 anyone consider making the state their permanent home.

It's possible that cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh don't immediately spring to mind when you think of "friendly cities," but that's not the case. The phrase "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason, as the locals genuinely enjoy making new friends. It received high marks from our readers for the amount of assistance it provided from total strangers. Look lost It's likely that a friendly local will offer assistance.

You can count on meeting pleasant locals in just about any town in New Mexico. A melting pot of people from all walks of life, it's easygoing and diverse. The state of 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, This state in the southern United States is home to 3 million people and features a fascinating blend of rural and urban communities. 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. Indeed, locals are warm and welcoming, but not in a stalkerish fashion. 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 incredibly welcoming locals. Despite New York City's popularity among tourists, Chicago is often ranked higher. The state is also relatively safe for tourists, with 19 of the country's Safest Cities located in Illinois.

Most Nebraskans are among the friendliest people you'll meet in the United States. There is a genuine sense of community, with people constantly pitching in to help one another. 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.

If you want to see good manners and a genuine interest in others in action, look no further than Ohio. People in the area are friendly and will gladly recommend their go-to restaurant or watering hole to visitors. There are many options for children, making this an ideal destination for families.

Since tourism is Hawaii's main industry, visitors can expect exceptional service while they're here. In common parlance, it exudes an "Aloha Spirit." 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 isn't just a catchy moniker for Oklahoma City; Oklahoma is one of the friendliest states in the country. The locals are always up for a chat and will always look out for their own. They are just as welcoming to guests.

Visitors from other states may be taken aback by the famous friendliness of Kansans, so they should be prepared to strike up conversations with complete strangers. The warmth and friendliness of the locals to tourists is one of the state's greatest attractions.

Colorado has some of the friendliest people in the world and a progressive environment that makes for a fun vacation. It's great for families, there's lots to do, and tourists quickly feel at home among the friendly locals and fascinating history. Whether in the city of Denver or out in the country, you'll quickly sense the warmth of the locals.

The people of Indiana take great pride in their legendary "Hoosier hospitality," in which they routinely go out of their way to help strangers. The locals have a positive disposition and a humorous outlook. 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 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 bother getting out of the car. Most likely, everything will be fine.

People in Texas are very friendly and often say "Howdy" to strangers. Its reputation for welcoming visitors "everywhere you go" has helped make it one of the friendliest states in the United States. The people of its big cities will make you feel right at home, as if you'd traveled to one of the smaller towns in the region.

South Carolinians are known for their warm hospitality, which is one of the reasons the state is so enjoyable to visit. South Carolina has all the warmth and friendliness that the South is famous for.

Tennessee has a vibrant culture and friendly locals who are eager to show off their city to visitors, exuding classic Southern hospitality. 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 People in Minnesota are known for being some of the friendliest in the country. 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.