List of the 50 Friendliest U.S. States

Some of the locals (especially those in the upstate) may come off as rude at 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. But don't block the sidewalk or get in the way of traffic while taking photos for Instagram.

If you're from Arkansas (emphasis on if), the locals will treat you well. While this is great for the state of Arkansas and the friendly atmosphere among its residents, it may leave visitors with a bad impression.

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? As unfortunate as it is, it is considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

Massachusetts residents aren't necessarily rude, but their indifference 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 bona fide Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, is a lengthy process.

New Jerseyans' demeanor is sometimes misunderstood as rudeness. And based on the results of this poll, it appears to be the case Most people from New Jersey have bold and forthright personalities. At least the (likely unfriendly) gas station worker will pump your gas for you.

While Washington state often places highly in lists of environmentally-friendly states, it has a much more mixed reputation when it comes to its residents. Though Seattleites don't come across as rude, they do give off a "polite but unfriendly" vibe, earning the city its nickname, "Seattle freeze." Perhaps it's the deluge of rain that has been falling recently.

New Hampshire is a gorgeous state full of patriotic citizens. Nonetheless, 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. It's true that Las Vegas can be a rough place to visit, but other cities, like Reno, offer a more relaxed atmosphere. On the whole, Nevadans are not particularly 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 least welcoming cities in the United States. Cities like Orlando, with their tourist-friendly initiatives, are doing a lot to boost the state's image, but Florida as a whole still has a ways to go.

Unless you've lived in Rhode Island all your life, you probably won't be accepted as a true local. The citizens of Rhode Island were not given high marks on the "friendliness scale" by Big 7 Travel readers. While the local cashier is more likely to smile at you in a smaller neighborhood, they won't exactly be smiling at you in any case.

However, our readers do not share the common belief that Californians are as sociable as the state would have you believe. The people of Los Angeles aren't exactly the friendliest, and the city has a reputation for being unwelcoming to visitors. The pace of life tends to be slower in smaller urban centers.

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. Rather, it's a pleasant indifference to other people.

Connecticut residents are friendly and polite, but reserved. To a lesser extent Despite their reputation for coldness, New Englanders will always hold the door for you and offer a friendly greeting. Although it isn't the most culturally active state, its residents are able to come together through 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. One of two things will happen; either that, or they will simply ignore you; in either case, they are not rude.

The people of Montana will surprise you with their hospitality. Despite its large size, the entire state has the feel of a large town. They are pleasant enough without inviting you to their homes for tea. There is friendly competition between the cities, with a warm welcome extended to visitors.

The Commonwealth of Virginia's increasing diversity is making the state even more inviting and warm. Washington, D.C., is a cultural mecca, but some may view the city as conservative and wary of outsiders. C and other major cities make it a great place to live.

The people of Vermont are known for being warm and welcoming, making it simple to meet new friends. There is a lot of tourism in this area, so people will generally go out of their way to assist those who are visiting. 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.

The people who call North Carolina home are known for their politeness, willingness to aid strangers, and warm welcome to visitors. People will greet you with a "hi" almost anywhere: the grocery store, the parking lot, the stoplight. One of the state's best features is the eclectic mix of people who call it home.

You'll quickly feel at home in Utah thanks to the state's welcoming population. 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.

There is a general consensus among our readers that Maine is a great place to call home due to its low crime rate and welcoming population. Mainers, in contrast to their New England counterparts, are friendly and outgoing. This is the first thing you'll notice when you arrive.

When traveling across the United States, you'll find that West Virginians are among the most warm and friendly people you'll meet. The relaxed tempo of life here creates an inviting ambiance. 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 for being friendly and helpful, as evidenced by the frequent use of "how are yous" and "hellos" in everyday situations. There's a genuine sense of community there, with friendly cashiers and roadside farmers who are eager to chat about their delicious wares.

The people of Michigan like to think of themselves as a welcoming and sociable bunch, but some cities, like Detroit and Ann Arbor, can be difficult to get to know. People here have a good sense of humor, are laid back, and are polite like they're from the Midwest.

Maryland has a high population density and is a cultural melting pot. Because of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it is a lively and engaging place to spend some time with friends. Bars in Baltimore are great places to meet potential best friends.

Wisconsin is a shining example of the best of the Midwest; its citizens are known for their politeness, community spirit, and positive outlook. People in Green Bay are exceptionally pleasant to be around because it is one of the happiest cities in America. Is there a chance it's related to the Packers?

However, the low population and low tourism numbers in this state have nothing to do with the quality of its residents. Residents of 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.

In general, Oregonians are known for their friendliness toward those they have never met before. Portland's hipsters may be difficult to integrate into mainstream culture, but I promise they're cool once you do. It also has the highest percentage of pet-friendly households in the United States.

Mississippi is an endearing state full of homey touches typical of the South. Most visitors to Mississippi are pleasantly surprised by the state's warm and welcoming culture. Locals are polite as can be and will welcome you as one of their own – once you don’t try to tell them how much better “up North” is

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.

Everyone you meet in Alabama will treat you with nothing but kindness if you maintain a positive disposition. In case you hadn't heard, Alabama is one of the friendliest states in the Union so long as you remember to "Just Say 'Hello.'" People you don't know will go out of their way to help you, such as holding the door open or carrying your groceries to your car.

In South Dakota, you'll find a wide variety of thriving, progressive communities populated by actively involved, welcoming locals. People will strike up conversations with complete strangers on the street, even in the biggest cities, discussing anything from the weather to the latest football game. 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 will have you packing your bags and heading south right away.

Cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which you might not immediately associate with friendliness, are, in fact, quite welcoming. You've got a friend in Pennsylvania because its residents are so warm and welcoming. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers ranked it highly. Look lost Possibilities are high that a friendly local will offer assistance.

Most residents of New Mexico's towns and cities are warm and welcoming. A melting pot of people from all walks of life, it's easygoing and diverse. As an added bonus, two New Mexico cities made it into the Top 20 LGBT-friendly retirement destinations in 2018. And there you have it.

The town has a total of 10 residents. With a population of over 3 million, this southern state offers a diverse landscape of rural and urban areas, but its residents are known for their warm hospitality. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, it's not difficult to make friends. Those who read Big 7 Travel's opinions on Georgia agreed that it was rather pleasant.

Repeatedly, you will hear that Idahoans are among the friendliest in the country; our readers agree. The locals are genuinely warm and welcoming, and not in a creepy, prying way. The state of Idaho lives up to its reputation as a welcoming and friendly place for visitors.

Illinois, located in the center of the Midwest, is home to incredibly welcoming locals. Chicago is widely regarded as one of the best U.S. cities for tourists, rivaling and sometimes surpassing even 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 the website Neighborhood Scout.

Most Nebraskans are among the friendliest people you'll meet in the United States. Everywhere you look, people are pitching in to help each other, giving off an overwhelming sense of community. If you can master the "one finger" wave at the wheel, you'll blend in like a native.

It has had a tumultuous history with natural disasters, but the locals will do anything to make you feel at home. Even though Louisiana is home to a wide variety of cultures, its residents have one thing in common: they make it one of the friendliest and best places to live in the United States.

Ohioans are known for their gracious demeanor and genuine enthusiasm for life in the Midwest. In general, locals are friendly and willing to show visitors around, especially their favorite restaurants and watering holes. It's also fantastic for families, as there are many events geared specifically toward children.

Because tourism is Hawaii's main industry, visitors can expect exceptional service. The "Aloha Spirit" of Hawaii is legendary. Everyone you meet in paradise will give you a friendly wave, so clearly paradise has some sort of healing effect on the human psyche.

Oklahoma is one of the friendliest states in the country, and its capital city, "The Big Friendly," has earned that moniker for good reason. Residents of this area are always up for a chat and will always look out for their own. It's not just locals who treat guests well.

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 friendliness of the locals towards tourists is one of the state's most attractive features.

Colorado is a great state to visit because of its progressive culture and welcoming locals. 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 routinely go out of their way to help strangers. The locals have a positive disposition 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. In fact, even in the busiest of cities, it's 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. With any luck, everything will be fine.

In Texas, the locals are always upbeat and ready with a "Howdy." Its reputation for welcoming visitors "everywhere you go" has helped make it one of the friendliest states in the United States. The locals in its big cities will make you feel like you've come home to a friendly village.

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

Typical of the South, Tennesseans are friendly 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.

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