List of the 50 Friendliest U.S. States

It's possible that at first, locals, even those in upstate, will come off as a New York City may be overwhelming at first, but if you give it time, you'll find that each borough's neighborhoods have a sense of community and that the city itself is a melting pot of many cultures. To avoid holding up traffic, please do not linger in the street while snapping photos for Instagram.

If you're from there, and only if, Arkansas is a welcoming place to live. While that's great for locals and the state's reputation for neighborliness, it can make visitors to the state feel like outsiders who don't belong.

You can drive across the entire state of Delaware in under an hour, but that doesn't make it any more neighborly. Do our readers view Delaware as unwelcoming because of the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a dull place to live? A sad reality is that it is one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

Massachusetts residents aren't necessarily rude, but their indifference to tourists can be off-putting. It's not exactly a quality that makes Massachusetts one of the friendliest states in America if its residents prefer to ignore each other. Becoming a full-fledged Bostonian, as opposed to being seen as a tourist, can take years.

Some people may interpret the Jersey way of life as rudeness. And based on the results of this poll, it appears to be the case The people of New Jersey are notoriously outspoken. In any case, the (likely unfriendly) gas station worker will do what they can to help you out by pumping your gas.

Washington state may be near the top of lists of environmentally-friendly states, but that doesn't mean its residents are. The locals aren't rude, but they do have a "polite but unfriendly" vibe, hence the name "Seattle freeze." All this rain might be to blame,

New Hampshire is a gorgeous state full of patriotic citizens. The problem is that this sense of pride is often misinterpreted as arrogance by those from other cultures. It can be difficult to make friends among the locals, and the area's sparse rural population doesn't help.

Nevada, home of 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. People in Nevada generally aren't very willing to go out of their way to assist a complete stranger.

Florida has its work cut out for it if Miami is viewed as one of the least friendly 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.

There's a good chance that anyone who wasn't raised in Rhode Island would always be considered a stranger there. According to Big 7 Travel's readers, Rhode Islanders aren't particularly hospitable. Generally speaking, the local cashier will not be smiling and friendly, even if you happen to be in a smaller town.

Readers of this publication disagree with the widespread belief that Californians are a friendly bunch. When it comes to making visitors feel at home, Los Angeles isn't exactly the City of Angels. It's easier to take it easy in a smaller city.

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

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. Not really People in New England may have a reputation for being cold, but they will still open doors for you and greet you warmly. It's not the most culturally rich state, but people still manage to have fun and get together at open mike nights and other community events.

Although Alaska is in the middle of nowhere, the state relies heavily on tourism, so its residents are always happy to see visitors. Except for Alaskan Natives, the vast majority of current residents here are immigrants who arrived in the area at some point. They may do so, or they may simply ignore you; either way, they are not rude.

When you visit Montana, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the friendliness of its residents. Despite its vastness, the entire state has the feel of a single large town. The people are pleasant enough, but you won't be invited to their homes for tea. There is friendly competition between the cities, with a warm welcome extended to visitors.

The state of Virginia has always been known for its warm and welcoming culture, but the state's increasing diversity is only making that reputation stronger. Washington, D.C. is a cultural mecca, but some may view the area as conservative and wary of newcomers. C cities, which collectively make it a great place to live.

Since Vermonters tend to be open and gregarious, it shouldn't be hard to meet new people and form friendships there. Since tourism is so important, residents will generally go out of their way to assist guests. Newcomers to rural Vermont may have to wait a while before they are fully accepted, but once they are, they have a lifetime of friends to look forward to.

People who live in North Carolina are known for their politeness, friendliness, and willingness to help visitors and fellow citizens alike. Just about anywhere, from Walmart to the parking lot to a stoplight, you'll hear someone say "hi." Highlighting the state's diversity is the fact that its residents hail from every region of the United States.

Utahns are known for their warmth and hospitality, so you'll quickly feel at home here. Salt Lake City is one of the most sociable and exciting places to live in the United States, and it is also recognized as one of the most welcoming cities for the LGBTQ community.

Our readers agree that Maine is a desirable place to settle because of 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 get here.

Some of the warmest and most friendly people you'll encounter in your travels across the United States will be West Virginians. The relaxed tempo of life here creates a friendly environment. Due in part to the state's geographical isolation, West Virginia is home to a tight-knit community.

People in Iowa are known for being friendly and helpful, as evidenced by the frequent use of "howdy" and "how are you" in everyday interactions with strangers. There is a genuine sense of community, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling their wares on the side of the road.

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 great sense of humor, are laid back, and are incredibly polite.

Maryland has a large cultural diversity despite being one of the most populous states. Because of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has a thriving and friendly atmosphere. 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; its residents 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. It might be related to the Packers, right?

This may be one of the least-visited and least-populated states in the United States, but that has nothing to do with its fantastic residents. North Dakotans have a reputation for being friendly and helpful without demanding anything in return. Those of you who rated the state on its friendliness as a community gave it high marks.

It's common knowledge that Oregonians are exceptionally friendly to total strangers. It may take some time to earn acceptance into Portland's hipster scene, but I promise it's worth it. Since it also ranks as the most pet-friendly state in the USA, Fido is more than welcome here, too.

Typical of the South, Mississippi exudes a warm and welcoming vibe. The friendliness of Mississippians often comes as a pleasant surprise to visitors. Once you refrain from ranting about how much better life is "up North," the locals will treat you like family and treat you like you always belonged there.

Before you've even had the chance to say "hello," a Missourian will launch into a lengthy recounting of their life experiences. No pretenses, just genuine kindness and interest in one another among strangers.

Everyone in Alabama will treat you with friendliness if you treat them with friendliness first. Alabama is one of the friendliest states in the country if you follow that rule of thumb. 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.

There are many progressive, forward-thinking communities in South Dakota that are home to enthusiastic and welcoming residents. People will strike up conversations with complete strangers about anything from the weather to a football game, even in the largest cities. The residents of this area are the very embodiment of the term "Midwestern Nice."

Everyone in Kentucky is friendly no matter what. It doesn't matter if you're a lifelong resident or just passing through; the locals will treat you with the same warmth and friendliness. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians is enough to make anyone pack their bags and head to the Bluegrass State right away.

You might not immediately associate cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with friendliness, but you'd be wrong. The phrase "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason, as the locals genuinely enjoy making new friends. When asked how helpful random people are, 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. It has a chill vibe and a wide variety of ethnic and cultural influences. Not only that, but two cities in New Mexico's top retirement destination for LGBT people made it onto the Top 20 Cities list this year! So there you go.

An area with a population of 10 There are 3 million people in this state in the southern United States, and while they may live in one of the many different types of neighborhoods, they are all very welcoming. 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. Actually, the locals are quite pleasant, and not in a stalkerish way. The state of Idaho is just as welcoming and friendly as its reputation suggests.

Illinois, a state in the middle of the United States, is known for its warm and welcoming residents. When it comes to welcoming tourists, Chicago is second only to New York City in the United States. Visitors will find Illinois to be a pleasant destination, as it is home to 19 of the 100 safest cities in the United States, as ranked by the website Neighborhood Scout.

You won't find nicer people anywhere in the United States than in Nebraska. 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 just like a native.

Locals make an effort to make visitors feel at home despite the area'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 in the United States.

The good manners and genuine friendliness of the Ohioans are legendary throughout the Midwest. All visitors are welcome in the eyes of the locals, and they will gladly recommend their favorite restaurant or bar. It's also fantastic for families, as there are many events geared specifically toward children.

With Hawaii's strong emphasis on tourism, guests are well taken care of in every aspect of their stay. The "Aloha Spirit" of Hawaii is legendary. Everyone you meet will give you a friendly smile, as if living in paradise actually has a positive effect on your mental health.

There's a reason Oklahoma is home to one of America's friendliest capitals: Oklahoma City. 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 hospitality 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 warmth and friendliness of the locals towards tourists is what makes their state so special.

There are some of the friendliest people in the world living in Colorado, adding to the state's already pleasant atmosphere of progressiveness. 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.

Residents of Indiana take great pride in their famous "Hoosier hospitality," in which they consistently go out of their way to help others. Humans in this area are generally pleasant and humorous. Indiana is more than just a "fly over" state; after visiting, you'll always remember it as home.

Although Wyoming is a relatively tranquil state, its residents make it a lively and entertaining destination. It's not unusual to have a complete stranger help you carry your groceries or free your stuck car from the snow in even the largest of cities. Don't bother getting out of the car. Most likely, everything will be fine.

Residents of Texas are very friendly, and they often greet visitors with a hearty "Howdy!" Its welcoming culture and "everywhere you go" vibe have undoubtedly earned it a spot among the top amiable U.S. states. The locals in its major cities will make you feel right at home with their warm hospitality.

The people of South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, which makes the state a great vacation destination. South Carolina embodies the warm hospitality and generous spirit that have come to define the Southern states.

Tennessee is the epitome of classic Southern hospitality, and its citizens are always excited to show visitors around. And 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 Minnesotans are the friendliest in the country, so the state wins. There's a reason the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice"; the Twin Cities and surrounding areas have an inviting, friendly vibe that's hard to find elsewhere.