List of the 50 Friendliest U.S. States

At first glance, locals (especially those in the countryside) could Even if you don't like the crowds (New York City is a cultural melting pot, after all), the neighborhoods in each of the five boroughs have a sense of community if you stick around for a while. 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. And while that bodes well for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, it may leave out-of-towners feeling awkward 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. Do our readers view Delaware as unwelcoming because of the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a dull place to live? Unfortunately, it is considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

In general, locals in MA aren't rude to tourists, but their indifference can be wearing. Massachusetts isn't exactly going to make the list of friendliest states in America if its residents have a tendency to ignore their fellow citizens. Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, can take years.

The Jersey way of life can come across as rude. And based on the results of this survey, it appears to be the case As a whole, people from New Jersey have a reputation for being blunt and direct. At least the (likely unfriendly) gas station worker 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. 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

The residents of New Hampshire take great pride in their state and its natural beauty. However, this sense of pride is sometimes misinterpreted as arrogance by those from other cultures. People in this area tend to be unyielding, and the few residents in the surrounding countryside can make it difficult to make new friends.

Las Vegas, Nevada is in a state of extremes. The friendly atmosphere of cities like Reno makes a nice change from the cutthroat atmosphere of Las Vegas. Residents of the Silver State typically aren't 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. Cities like Orlando, with their tourist-friendly initiatives, are doing a lot to improve the state's reputation, 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. According to Big 7 Travel's readers, Rhode Islanders aren't particularly hospitable. A local cashier might be friendlier in a smaller town, but in general, don't expect a warm welcome.

A lot of people in California like to think of themselves as friendly, but our readers would disagree. Unfortunately, Los Angeles isn't exactly known for its friendliness toward visitors. In fact, the city has a reputation for being uninviting and even rude to those who aren't locals. Casual lifestyles prevail in smaller urban centers.

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

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. I wouldn't say that at all 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.

While Alaskans may feel cut off from the rest of the world, the state's reliance on tourism means they'll go out of their way to make visitors feel at home. Most people in this area, with the exception of Alaska Natives, are immigrants who arrived here at some point in their lives. It's either that or they'll completely ignore you; either way, they're not rude.

The people of Montana will surprise you with their friendliness and hospitality. In spite of its considerable size, the entire state has the feel of a single large town. Nobody will invite you over for tea, but they're still pleasant. There is friendly competition between the cities, with a warm welcome extended to visitors.

Virginia's increasing diversity is making the state even more hospitable and warm. 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 major cities.

Making new friends in Vermont is simple because its residents are warm and welcoming. Since tourism is so important, residents will generally go out of their way to assist guests. Vermonters in smaller communities 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 tend to be polite, helpful, and welcoming. People will greet you with a "hi" almost anywhere: the grocery store, the parking lot, the stoplight. Highlighting the state's diversity is the fact that its residents hail from every region of the United States.

Utahns are known for their warm hospitality, so you should feel right at home here. Aside from being one of the most sociable and lively cities in the country, Salt Lake City also has a reputation for being extremely welcoming to the LGBTQ community.

Our readers agree that Maine is a great place to settle down because of its low crime rate and welcoming community. The people of New England are known for their reserved nature, but Mainers are known for their openness and friendliness. This is the first thing you'll notice when you get here.

West Virginians are among the friendliest and most hospitable people you'll meet anywhere 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.

People in Iowa are known for being friendly and helpful, as evidenced by the frequent use of "howdy" and "how are yous" in everyday interactions with strangers. It's the kind of place where the cashier always has a smile on their face, the roadside farmers brag about their delicious produce, and everyone knows your name.

Despite the state's reputation for friendliness, some major cities like Detroit and Ann Arbor can be extremely difficult to connect with. People here have a good sense of humor, are laid back, and are polite in that Midwestern way.

Maryland has a high population density and is a culturally rich and diverse state. Thanks to its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has become a lively and engaging hangout spot for locals and visitors alike. 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, with its friendly and polite citizens and their strong sense of community. People in Green Bay are exceptionally pleasant to be around because it is one of the happiest cities in America. Do the Packers play a role in this at all?

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. People from North Dakota are friendly and helpful, and they don't expect anything in return. The state's community spirit received high marks from our readers.

It's common knowledge that Oregonians are exceptionally friendly to total strangers. Portland's hipster scene may be difficult to enter, 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 bursting with traditional Southern hospitality. The friendliness of Mississippians often comes as a pleasant surprise to visitors. The natives are extremely friendly, and they will make you feel at home as long as you refrain from bragging about how much better life is "up North."

Missourians are notorious for launching into lengthy monologues before you've even said hello. They're genuine in their friendliness and interest in conversing with strangers.

Everyone in Alabama will treat you with kindness if you treat them with kindness first. If you obey this simple rule, you'll quickly discover that Alabama is among the friendliest places in the United States. 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. It's safe to say that the residents of this region personify 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 unique warmth of Kentuckians will have you packing your bags and heading south immediately.

Cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which you might not immediately associate with friendliness, actually are. The slogan "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" isn't just a cliche; the people here are genuinely warm and helpful. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers ranked it highly. Look lost You can expect some assistance from a friendly local.

Nearly every town in New Mexico is populated by warm and welcoming locals. It's chill and full of different cultures. Also, two New Mexico cities made it into the Top 20 Retirement Cities for LGBT people in 2018. So there you go.

With only ten people, With a population of over 3 million, this state in the southern United States is a fascinating blend of rural and urban areas, and its residents are known for their warm hospitality. Even in major metropolises like Atlanta, getting to know locals is a breeze. 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. This place has genuinely nice people, and not in a creepy, intrusive way. True to its reputation, Idaho welcomes visitors with open arms and genuine kindness.

Locals in Illinois, located smack dab in the middle of the Midwest, are known for their warmth and hospitality. Chicago is widely regarded as one of the best U.S. cities for tourists, rivaling and sometimes surpassing even New York City. A lot of the best cities in the United States can be found in Illinois, and the state as a whole is a pretty safe place to visit.

Among the states in the United States, Nebraska is home to some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. 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 while driving, you'll blend in just like a native.

While 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.

Ohioans are known for their gracious demeanor and genuine enthusiasm for life in the Midwest. People in the area tend to be friendly and welcoming, always happy to recommend their go-to restaurant or watering hole to visitors. There are many options for children, making this an ideal destination for families.

Hawaii places a premium on its tourist industry, so vacationers can expect a warm welcome. The "Aloha Spirit" of Hawaii is legendary. No wonder everyone you meet in paradise is so happy to see you—life in this place must be good for the spirit.

Oklahoma is one of the friendliest states in America, and its capital city, "The Big Friendly," has earned that moniker for good reason. The locals here are always up for a chat and will always look out for their own. They treat guests with the same warmth and friendliness as locals.

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 state's many attractions.

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 legendary "Hoosier hospitality," in which they routinely go out of their way to help strangers. 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.

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. Most likely, everything will be fine.

The friendly Texans and their constant "Howdys" Its reputation for welcoming visitors "everywhere you go" has helped make it one of the friendliest states in the United States. Even in its major cities, you'll feel like you're in a friendly small town thanks to the friendly locals who live there.

It's no secret that the people of South Carolina are extremely warm and inviting. South Carolina has the famous warmth and friendliness of other Southern states, in abundance.

Tennessee is the epitome of classic Southern hospitality, and its residents are bursting with excitement and a desire to share their state with visitors. When you factor in its vibrant music scene, it's easy to see why this is one of the most welcoming states in the United States.

Among the states in the United States, which one do residents rate as the friendliest? When it comes to friendliness, the people of Minnesota are unrivaled. 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.