State by State Ranking of the 50 Friendliest Places to Live in the USA

At first, the locals (especially those in the countryside) may 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 there, or at least a native Arkansan, you'll find that Arkansans are among the friendliest people in the country. While this is great for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, it may make tourists feel like outsiders who don't belong.

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? Sadly, it's considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

Though most people in Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, the general lack of friendliness towards visitors can be wearing. Massachusetts is not exactly one of the friendliest states in America due to its residents' tendency to ignore them. Also, it takes a while to establish oneself as a local, rather than a tourist, in Boston.

The Jersey way of life has been characterized as rudeness. And according to the results of this poll, that seems to be the case The people of New Jersey are notoriously outspoken. The (likely) unfriendly gas station worker will pump your gas, though.

The Evergreen State may be near the top of lists of environmentally-friendly states, but its human residents are a different story. The locals aren't rude, but they do have a "polite but unfriendly" vibe, hence the name "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. However, this sense of pride can easily be misinterpreted by strangers as arrogance. It can be difficult to make friends among the locals, and the area's sparse rural population doesn't help.

Nevada, the state where Sin City is located, is a place of striking contrasts. Vegas is a cutthroat city, but Reno and other nearby cities offer a more relaxed atmosphere. Nevadans, on the whole, are not particularly willing to go out of their way to assist a complete stranger.

Given that Miami is consistently ranked as one of the least welcoming cities in the United States, Florida has its work cut out for it. 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.

In Rhode Island, anyone who wasn't raised there by their parents is automatically at a disadvantage. Readers of Big 7 Travel did not give Rhode Islanders high marks on the publication's "friendly scale." Even though local cashiers are more likely to smile in smaller communities, you shouldn't expect a warm welcome anywhere.

Our readers do not share the common belief that Californians are as sociable as the rest of the country would like to believe When it comes to making visitors feel at home, Los Angeles is no City of Angels, instead giving off an air of coldness and even hostility. There is a more relaxed atmosphere in smaller towns.

You won't mistake Arizonans for being as outwardly friendly as those in the South, but they're chill enough. Waiting in line is the perfect time to strike up a conversation with a total stranger, but don't hold your breath for any genuine smiles. A pleasant indifference to other people's feelings.

In general, Connecticut residents are courteous, reserved, and pleasant; however, they can be downright warm and welcoming to visitors. Unfortunately, that's 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. Not the most culturally rich state, but open mike nights and other community gatherings help keep people connected.

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, but in either case, you should not consider them rude.

The people of Montana will surprise you with their hospitality. Despite its vastness, the whole state has the feel of a single large town. No one will invite you over for tea, but they're still a nice person. A friendly atmosphere prevails among the cities, and visitors are warmly welcomed.

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 cities.

Vermonters are known for being warm and welcoming, so it shouldn't be hard to make friends here. There is a lot of tourism in this area, so people will generally go out of their way to assist those who are visiting. Though the locals of a small Vermont town may take some time to warm up to newcomers, once they do, you'll have friends for life.

Natives of North Carolina are known for their polite demeanor, willingness to aid strangers, and warm reception of guests. Hi's are commonplace in public places like Walmart or the parking lot, or even while waiting at a red light. One of the best things about the state is the diversity of its people.

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 U.S. cities for the LGBTQ community.

A large majority of our readers agree that Maine is a great place to call home due to its low crime rate and welcoming community. Mainers, in contrast to their New England counterparts, are known to be friendly and outgoing. That's the first thing you'll notice when you get here.

West Virginians are among the friendliest and most helpful people you'll meet anywhere in the United States. In this area, life moves at a more relaxed tempo, creating a friendly environment. There is a tight-knit sense of community in West Virginia because the state is somewhat sheltered from the rest of the country by a barrier of mountains.

Iowans have a reputation for friendliness and generosity, as evidenced by their frequent use of "how are yous" and "hellos" in passing pedestrians. 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. Having no barriers to entry, it is a lively and social place to spend some time with friends or meet new people. When you go out to a bar in Baltimore, you're guaranteed to meet some interesting people.

Wisconsin is a shining example of the Midwest thanks to its friendly and polite citizens and their strong sense of community. Since Green Bay is located in one of the happiest regions of the United States, its residents are naturally friendly and outgoing. The Packers might have a role in this, right?

The low population and tourist volume in this state have nothing to do with the quality of its residents. People from North Dakota are known for being approachable and helpful without demanding anything in return. The community spirit in the state received high marks from our readers.

When it comes to neighborliness, Oregonians have a stellar reputation. The Portland hipster scene may be difficult to enter, but the people there are nice, I swear. That dog of yours will be just as welcome here as it is the most pet-friendly state in the USA.

The Magnolia State of Mississippi is a delightful place, full of warmth and hospitality. The friendliness of Mississippians often comes as a pleasant surprise to visitors. Once you refrain from bragging about how much better life is "up North," the locals will treat you like family and treat you like you've always been there.

The people of Missouri are notoriously bad at keeping secrets. They're genuine in their friendliness and interest in conversing with strangers.

Every person you meet in Alabama will treat you with kindness if you treat them with kindness first. 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.'" Just because they want to be helpful, random people will hold the door open for you and assist you with your groceries as you make your way to your car.

Everywhere you look in South Dakota, you'll find progressive, forward-thinking towns populated by actively involved, welcoming locals. Some of the most open conversations I've ever had were with total strangers in the midst of busy city streets. The residents of this region are the very embodiment of the term "Midwestern Nice."

There is always a friendly face in Kentucky. Everybody here is friendly, whether you were born and raised here or are just passing through. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians is enough to make anyone consider making the state their permanent home.

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are two cities that might not immediately spring to mind when you think of "friendly cities," but that's not the case. The slogan "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason, as the locals genuinely enjoy making new friends. As far as random acts of kindness from strangers go, our readers gave it high marks. Look lost If you ask nicely, a friendly local might even offer assistance.

In most of New Mexico's communities, you'll find warm and welcoming locals. It has a chill atmosphere and a wide variety of ethnic and cultural influences. In addition, two New Mexico cities ranked among the Top 20 most LGBT-friendly retirement destinations in 2018. So there you go.

At a paltry 10 people, With a population of over 3 million people, this state in the southern United States is a fascinating blend of rural and urban areas. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, getting to know people is simple. Readers of Big 7 Travel thought Georgia was great.

Innumerable readers agreed with the widespread belief that Idahoans are among the friendliest in the country. The locals are genuinely nice, and not in a stalkerish manner. Those who visit Idaho will find that the state lives up to its reputation for friendliness and openness to outsiders.

Located in the middle of the United States, Illinois is home to welcoming people. When compared to New York City, Chicago is widely regarded as one of the most tourist-friendly cities in the United States. Also, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a great state to visit.

Nebraskans are among the friendliest people you'll find anywhere 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 while driving, 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 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 are friendly and will gladly recommend their go-to restaurant or watering hole to visitors. It's also fantastic for families, as there are many events geared specifically toward children.

Hawaii puts a lot of effort into catering to tourists, so they are well taken care of in every other way as well. The "Aloha Spirit" of Hawaii has become internationally renowned. Everyone here seems happy all the time, so it's safe to assume that paradise does something good for the spirit.

Oklahoma is one of the friendliest states in the United States, and its capital city, "The Big Friendly," is appropriately named. The locals here are always up for a chat and will always look out for their own. They are just as welcoming to guests as they are to 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 families, there's lots to do, and newcomers will quickly feel at home among the friendly locals and fascinating history. Feeling welcome in Colorado is an immediate experience, whether you're in the city of Denver or out in the country.

People in Indiana take great pride in their famous "Hoosier hospitality," in which they consistently go out of their way to help those in need. The residents of this area are friendly and humorous. A single trip to Indiana will convince you that it is so much more than a "fly over" state.

People in Wyoming make it a lively and entertaining destination, despite the state's reputation for relative tranquility. You can still find a strong sense of community even in the largest of cities, with complete strangers often offering to help you with mundane tasks like unsticking your car from 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 they often say "Howdy" to strangers. Its welcoming people "everywhere you go" have undoubtedly earned it a spot on the list of the friendliest U.S. states. Its people, even in its big cities, have a friendly, welcoming attitude.

The people of South Carolina are very warm and friendly, which makes the state a great vacation destination. South Carolina is a shining example of the warm hospitality and generous spirit for which the South is famous.

Tennessee is a great example of classic Southern hospitality, with friendly locals who are always excited to show visitors around. When you factor in its vibrant music scene, it's easy to see why this is one of America's friendliest states.

Which state in America is the most welcoming? Winner: Minnesota, whose residents stand out for their warmth and hospitality. 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.