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.

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 just 90 minutes of driving time, this does not necessarily make it a welcoming place to its neighbors. Do our readers view Delaware as unwelcoming because of the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a dull place to live? One of the least welcoming states in the USA, unfortunately.

The people of Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, but their apathy toward tourists can be off-putting. Massachusetts isn't exactly one of the friendliest states in America if its residents are known for ignoring each other. Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to 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 Those who hail from New Jersey are often stereotyped as being loud and brash. The (likely) unfriendly gas station worker will at least pump your gas for you.

It's true that Washington State is often ranked highly among eco-friendly states, but when it comes to its residents, things are quite different. The people of Seattle aren't outright unfriendly, but they do have a "polite but unfriendly" vibe that has earned it the nickname "the Seattle freeze." Perhaps it's all the wet weather

There is a lot of beauty in New Hampshire, and the people there are very proud of their state. But to others, that pride can seem like arrogance. It can be difficult to make friends among the locals, and the area's sparse rural population doesn't help.

Nevada, the site of the infamous Sin City, is a state of striking contrasts. When compared to more welcoming destinations like Reno, Las Vegas can be a cutthroat place to spend some 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. Tourist-friendly initiatives in places like Orlando are greatly enhancing the state's reputation, but Florida as a whole still has a ways to go before it is widely recognized.

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 didn't give Rhode Islanders high marks on the "friendliness scale." While the local cashier is more likely to smile in a smaller town, this is not the case in larger cities.

We Californians like to think of ourselves as friendly, but our readers beg to differ. When it comes to friendliness toward visitors, Los Angeles is no City of Angels. In fact, the city has an air of indifference that occasionally crosses the line into rudeness. In contrast to the hectic pace of the big city, life in a smaller metropolis tends to be more relaxed

Arizona lacks the Southern's blatant friendliness, but the locals are chill enough to make up for it. 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. This is not the case. While residents of New England may have a reputation for being cold, they will still open doors and greet you warmly when you visit. Even though it isn't the most culturally active state, residents still manage to pull together through open mike nights and other community gatherings.

Despite the state of Alaska's isolation, the tourism industry is thriving and 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 in their lives. They may do so, or they may simply ignore you; either way, they are not rude.

You won't believe how welcoming and friendly everyone in Montana is. Despite its massive size, the entire state has the feel of a large town. It's unlikely that anyone will invite you over for tea, but you'll find that these people are friendly. Greetings to visitors are met with a friendly attitude and lighthearted banter between the towns.

Virginia's increasing diversity is making the state even more hospitable and inviting to newcomers. Washington, D.C. is a cultural mecca, but some may view the city as conservative and wary of outsiders. 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.

In my experience, natives of North Carolina are polite, helpful, and welcoming to anyone. Many people will greet you with a "hi" in the most unlikely of places, such as a Walmart or a parking lot while you wait for 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. 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.

It seems that our readers share our opinion that Maine is a great place to call home because of its low crime rate and welcoming locals. Contrary to popular belief, Mainers are not as reserved as their New England counterparts. When you first step foot in this location, you'll notice this.

People from West Virginia are among the friendliest and most helpful you'll encounter anywhere in the United States. The relaxed tempo of life here creates a friendly environment. The state of West Virginia is characterized by a tight-knit community due in part to the state's natural barrier of mountains.

Iowans have a reputation for friendliness and kindness due to their habit of greeting complete strangers with smiles and waves 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 most Michiganders like to think of themselves as hospitable, those in Detroit and Ann Arbor in particular can be tough. Typical of the Midwest, locals here are friendly, laid-back, and humorous.

Maryland has a high population density and is a cultural melting pot. Because of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has a thriving, social atmosphere. You can find your new best friends in a bar in Baltimore with little effort.

Wisconsin is a shining example of the best of the Midwest; its residents are known for their friendliness, community spirit, and positive outlook. Green Bay is consistently ranked as one of the happiest cities in America, so it's no surprise that its residents are so warm and friendly. Perhaps the Packers have something to do with it.

You won't find many people living here or tourists passing through, but that has nothing to do with the quality of the people who do call it home. The people of North Dakota are known for being friendly and helpful, even if they don't get anything in return. The community spirit in this state was highly rated by our readers.

They say Oregonians are some of the friendliest people in the country. 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. Visitors are often taken aback by the warm welcome they receive in 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 one of the gang.

Before you can even say "hello," a Missourian will launch into a lengthy account of their life experiences. There is no pretense here; people are genuinely friendly and interested in one another.

Everyone in Alabama will treat you well if you are friendly. Alabama is one of the friendliest states in the country if you follow that rule of thumb. For no other reason than to be friendly, total strangers will do things like hold the door open and help you carry your groceries to your car.

There are many progressive and forward-thinking communities in South Dakota that are home to enthusiastic and welcoming locals. In the larger cities, people will strike up conversations with complete strangers about anything from the weather to the latest football scores. 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. The friendly locals don't care if you were born and raised here or if you're just passing through. If you've never been to Kentucky, you'll want to move here the second you meet a typical Kentuckian.

Cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which you might not immediately associate with friendliness, actually are. The slogan "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was written for a good reason; people here are genuinely kind to one another. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers ranked it highly. 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. The atmosphere is chill and the range of cultures represented is impressive. Additionally, two cities in New Mexico's top retirement destination for LGBT people That's it; it's all there is to it

Population: 10 With a population of over 3 million people, this southern state offers a fascinating blend of rural and urban settings. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, getting to know locals is a breeze. In a survey conducted by Big 7 Travel, Georgia received a score of 4.5 out of 7.

Idahoans are known nationwide as some of the friendliest people in the United States, and our readers agree. Here, you'll find genuine friendliness rather than intrusive curiosity from the local populace. 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' When it comes to welcoming visitors, Chicago rivals New York City as one of America's top destinations. As an added bonus, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it an attractive tourist destination.

Nebraskans are among the friendliest people you'll meet anywhere in the United States. Everywhere you look, people are pitching in to help one another, giving off an overwhelming sense of community. If you can master the "one finger" wave while behind the wheel, you'll feel like a true native.

Although the area has had a rough go of it recently due to natural disasters, the locals will do anything they can 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. People in the area are friendly and will gladly recommend their go-to restaurant or watering hole to visitors. The abundance of fun things to do here with children make it a fantastic destination for families.

The hospitality industry in Hawaii is thriving because of the state's strong focus on tourism. The "Aloha Spirit" of Hawaii is legendary. Everyone you meet in paradise will greet you with a friendly smile, so clearly paradise has a healing effect on the human psyche.

This is one of the friendliest states in the United States, and it's not just because Oklahoma City is called "The Big Friendly." The locals are always up for a chat and will always look out for their own. They are just as welcoming to outsiders.

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 friendly nature of the locals is one of the things that draws tourists to the state.

With its progressive culture and welcoming locals, Colorado is a great vacation destination. It's great for families, there's lots to do, and newcomers will quickly feel at home among the friendly locals and fascinating history. 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 those in need. The locals have a positive demeanor and a great sense of humor. Indiana is more than just a "fly over" state; after visiting, you'll always remember it as home.

Despite Wyoming's reputation as a peaceful state, its residents make it a delight to visit. Even in large cities, it is not unusual for a stranger to help you carry your groceries or free your stuck car from the snow. Don't even bother getting out of the car! Most likely, it will arrive undamaged.

Native Texans are very friendly, and they frequently say "Howdy" to visitors. "everywhere you go" has undoubtedly contributed to its status as one of the friendliest states in the USA. Its people, even in the biggest cities, have a friendly, down-home attitude.

The people of South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, which makes the state a great vacation destination. South Carolina exemplifies the warm hospitality 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.

The most welcoming state in the United States is The people of Minnesota are so warm and welcoming that the state ranks first. There's a reason why the state's nickname is "Minnesota Nice": the Twin Cities and surrounding areas have an inviting, friendly vibe that's hard to find elsewhere.