The 50 Friendliest States in the USA

There's a chance visitors will encounter some grumpy locals (even in the countryside) 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. If you must take pictures for Instagram while standing in the street, please do so quickly so as not to impede traffic.

Arkansas is a welcoming place to live if (and this is a big if) you're a native. Though this bodes well 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 90 minutes by car, the people living there are hardly neighborly. Is it that our readers' perception of Delaware as unwelcoming stems from the state's (possibly exaggerated) image as dull? This is one of the least welcoming states in the Union, unfortunately.

Massachusetts residents aren't necessarily rude, but their indifference to tourists can be off-putting. Massachusetts may not be the friendliest state in America, but that isn't because its residents are particularly good at ignoring them. Acceptance as a bona fide Bostonian, as opposed to a temporary resident, can take years.

Oftentimes, New Jerseyans' demeanor comes across as downright rude. Based on the results of this poll, it appears that is the case. Personalists with an "in your face" approach are typical of a New Jersey native. The (likely) unfriendly gas station worker will pump your gas for you, though.

Washington state may be near the top of lists of environmentally-friendly states, but that doesn't mean its residents are. Though Seattleites don't come across as rude, they do give off a "polite but unfriendly" vibe, earning the city its nickname, "Seattle freeze." Possibly it's the deluge of rain we've been having

New Hampshire is a stunning state, and its residents are justifiably proud of their heritage. This sense of pride, however, 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 extremes. When compared to more welcoming destinations like Reno, Las Vegas can be a cutthroat place to spend some time. Generally speaking, 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. Cities like Orlando, with their tourist-friendly initiatives, are doing a lot to boost the state's reputation, but Florida as a whole has a ways to go.

Most people who weren't raised in Rhode Island have a hard time accepting those who weren't born and raised there. According to Big 7 Travel readers, Rhode Islanders aren't particularly hospitable. Even though local cashiers are more likely to smile in smaller communities, you shouldn't expect a warm welcome anywhere.

However, our readers do not share the common belief that Californians are as sociable as the state would have you believe. When it comes to making visitors feel at home, Los Angeles isn't exactly the City of Angels. The pace of life is slower in smaller towns.

Arizona lacks the Southern's blatant friendliness, but the locals are chill enough to make up for it. 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. More than anything, it's a pleasant lack of concern for other people.

In general, Connecticut residents are courteous, reserved, and pleasant; however, they can be downright warm and welcoming to visitors. In any case They may have a reputation for being cold and distant, but New Englanders will always open doors and smile at you. The state isn't exactly a hotbed of artistic expression, but open mike nights and other community gatherings do their part to keep people connected.

Although Alaska is quite remote, the tourism industry is vital to the state's economy, so locals are always happy to see visitors. Other than Alaska Natives, most of the locals here have been transplants at some point in their lives. In either case, they are not rude.

The people of Montana will win you over with their genuine hospitality. Despite its large size, the entire state has the feel of a large town. No one will invite you over for tea, but they're still a nice person. The townspeople joke around and welcome visitors with open arms.

Virginia's growing diversity is making the state even more inviting and friendly. Washington, D.C. is a cultural mecca, but some might say that its residents are too traditional and too wary of strangers. C and other major cities, the area is a great place to live.

The people of Vermont are known for being warm and welcoming, making it simple to meet new friends. Due to the abundance of tourists, the locals are extremely friendly and willing to assist with any needs. A newcomer to a Vermont town may have to wait a while before they are fully accepted, but once they are, they will have a friend for life.

The people who call North Carolina home are known for their politeness, willingness to aid strangers, and warm welcome to visitors. Greetings are commonplace in public places like Walmart and parking lots, or even while waiting at a red light. An attractive feature of the state is the wide variety of people who call it home.

Utahns are known for their warm hospitality, so you should feel right at home here. Salt Lake City is one of the most sociable and exciting places to live in the United States, and is also recognized as one of the most welcoming metropolises for the LGBTQ community.

Our readers seem to agree that Maine is a good place to call home because of its low crime rate and friendly locals. Mainers, in contrast to their New England counterparts, are friendly and outgoing. This is the first thing you'll notice when you get here.

West Virginians are among the most hospitable and warm-hearted people you'll meet anywhere in the United States. An easygoing lifestyle creates a friendly environment here. 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 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.

People in Michigan like to think of themselves as a welcoming and sociable bunch, but some cities, like Detroit and Ann Arbor, can be tough to get to know. As a whole, the locals here have a great sense of humor, are laid back, and are incredibly polite.

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 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. What role, if any, do the Packers play in this?

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. North Dakotans are known for being approachable and helpful, even if they don't get anything in return. Readers were very complimentary of the state's friendly atmosphere.

It's common knowledge that Oregonians are exceptionally friendly to total strangers. Although Portland's hipster culture may be difficult to break into, 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 lovely state full of genuine Southern hospitality. The friendliness of Mississippians often comes as a pleasant surprise to visitors. Once you stop trying to convince them that life is better "up North," the locals will treat you like family and treat you like you always belonged there.

When you meet a Missourian, you can expect to hear their entire life story before you've even said hello. There's no pretense here; they're genuinely friendly and interested in talking to strangers.

Everyone you meet in Alabama will treat you well if you are friendly. If you follow this simple rule, you'll quickly discover that Alabama is among the most welcoming places in the United States. They'll help you carry your groceries to your car and hold the door open for you just because they want to be nice.

Everywhere you look in South Dakota, you'll find progressive, forward-thinking towns populated by actively involved, welcoming locals. People will casually strike up conversations with complete strangers about anything from the weather to a football game, even in the biggest cities. The residents of this region are the very embodiment of the term "Midwestern Nice."

It doesn't matter who you are or what you're doing, you'll find that people in Kentucky are always friendly. Locals have the same welcoming demeanor for everyone, 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 whose reputations for friendliness may not be as high as they deserve. 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 It's likely that a friendly local will offer assistance.

New Mexicans, in general, are known for their warmth and hospitality. 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 sums it up

With only ten people, 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 is not hard to make new friends. The Georgians were viewed favorably by Big 7 Travel readers.

There is a common belief that Idahoans are among the friendliest people in the country. The locals are genuinely nice, and not in a stalkerish manner. It's true that Idahoans are known for their friendliness and willingness to help strangers.

Illinois, located smack dab in the middle of the Midwest, is home to incredibly welcoming locals. Chicago has surpassed New York City as one of America's top destinations for tourists. 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 meet anywhere in the United States. All around you, you'll find people pitching in to help each other out, giving off a palpable sense of community. You can pass for a true native if you just learn the "one finger" wave to use while driving.

Even though 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. Despite the state's many cultural and linguistic diversity, Louisianans share a common trait that contributes 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 tend to be friendly and welcoming, always happy to 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.

Visitors to Hawaii receive exceptional service because the state places a premium on the tourist industry. Because of its "Aloha Spirit," it has gained worldwide recognition. 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 are always up for a chat and will do whatever they can to protect 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 warmth and friendliness of the locals to tourists is what makes their state so special.

To top off its progressive vibe, Colorado is home to some of the friendliest people on the planet, making for a fantastic vacation destination. It's great for families, is very secure, and has so much history and culture that tourists quickly begin to feel at home. It doesn't matter if you're in Denver or the middle of nowhere, the warmth of this place will greet you right away.

The people of Indiana take great pride in their famous "Hoosier hospitality," in which they consistently go out of their way to help others. The locals have a positive disposition and a humorous outlook. When you finally make it to Indiana, you'll realize it's so much more than a "fly over" state.

Even though Wyoming is a relatively tranquil state, its residents make visiting here a blast. Even in large cities, it's not uncommon for a stranger to offer to help you with something as simple as getting your car unstuck from the snow or carrying your groceries. Don't even bother coming back to get the keys. More likely than not, it will arrive undamaged.

People in Texas are very friendly and often say "Howdy" to strangers. Its reputation for welcoming visitors "everywhere you go" has helped make it one of the friendliest states in the United States. People in its big cities are friendly and helpful, like those in any small town.

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

In Tennessee, the friendly, outgoing, and helpful locals are in full Southern hospitality mode, eager to welcome and entertain visitors. And when you factor in its vibrant music scene, it's easy to see why this is one of America's friendliest states.

And the winning state among those deemed the most welcoming in the United States is Its residents are the friendliest in the country, and this makes Minnesota number one. The Twin Cities and surrounding areas have an unbeatable "Minnesota Nice" vibe thanks to the friendly, down-to-earth locals and numerous tourist-friendly attractions.