The 50 Friendliest US 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 sense of community. Simply don't linger in the street or impede traffic while snapping photos for Instagram.

Those who are native to the state will find Arkansas to be a welcoming place. 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 state of Delaware is relatively compact (it takes only about 90 minutes to drive from one end to the other), its size doesn't 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? A sad reality is that it is one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

The people of Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, but their apathy toward tourists can be off-putting. 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. Likewise, it takes a considerable amount of time to establish oneself as a permanent resident of Boston rather than a temporary visitor.

The Jersey way of life can come across as rude. And based on the results of this poll, it appears to be the case The people of New Jersey are notoriously outspoken. The (likely) unfriendly gas station worker will pump your gas, 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." Could be the constant downpours.

New Hampshire is a gorgeous state full of patriotic citizens. However, this sense of pride is sometimes 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. 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.

When you consider that Miami is consistently ranked as one of the least welcoming cities in the United States, you can see that Florida has its work cut out for it. Though Orlando and its tourist-friendly initiatives are doing a lot to boost the state's reputation, Florida as a whole still has a ways to go.

Your status as an outsider is likely to persist regardless of how long you've lived in Rhode Island if you weren't born and raised there. Readers of Big 7 Travel did not give Rhode Islanders high marks on the publication's "friendliness 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 isn't exactly the City of Angels. More relaxed lifestyles can be found in smaller towns.

Arizona lacks the Southern's blatant friendliness, but its locals are chill enough to overlook this. There will be small talk among strangers while waiting in line, but no one will be overly happy to see you. The attitude is one of pleasant indifference to other people.

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. Not really Despite their reputation for coldness, New Englanders will always hold the door for you and offer a friendly greeting. Not the most culturally rich state, but open mike nights and other community gatherings help keep people connected.

Despite the state's remote location, Alaska relies heavily on tourism, 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. Or, they'll simply ignore you, which isn't rude.

Montanans are among the friendliest people you'll ever meet. 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. There is friendly competition between the cities, with a warm welcome extended to visitors.

Virginia's growing diversity is making the state's already warm and inviting culture even more so. The cultural mecca of Washington, D.C., may come across as traditional and wary to outsiders. C and other major cities, the area is a great place to live.

Vermonters are known for being warm and welcoming, making it an ideal place to make new friends. It's a tourist mecca, so people will go out of their way to assist visitors. 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.

People in North Carolina are known for their politeness, friendliness, and willingness to help both visitors and locals. People will greet you with a "hi" almost anywhere: the grocery store, the parking lot, the stoplight. 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. In addition to being one of the most sociable and lively cities in the country, Salt Lake City is also known for its welcoming attitude toward the LGBTQ community.

Our readers seem to agree that Maine is a good place to call home because of its low crime rate and welcoming population. Contrary to popular belief, Mainers are not as reserved as their New England counterparts. This is something you'll see the moment you step foot in this location.

Traveling across the United States, you'll find that West Virginians are among the most warm and friendly people you'll meet. The relaxed rhythms of daily life here help create a friendly ambiance. The state of West Virginia is largely isolated from the rest of the country by its mountainous terrain, which has fostered a strong sense of community there.

Iowans have a reputation for friendliness and kindness due to their habit of greeting complete strangers with a smile and a wave as they pass them on the street. There is a genuine sense of community there, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling their wares on the side of the road who are more than happy to chat about the delicious fruits and vegetables they have grown.

Despite the state's reputation for friendliness, some major cities like Detroit and Ann Arbor can be extremely difficult to connect with. As a whole, the locals here have a great sense of humor, are laid back, and are incredibly polite.

The population density of Maryland is high, and the state is also home to a wide range of cultural traditions. It welcomes strangers, making it a lively and social place to spend time. 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 locals, strong sense of community, and carefree outlook. Given that Green Bay is consistently ranked as one of the happiest cities in America, it's no surprise that its residents are so warm and friendly. Do the Packers play a role in this at all?

This may be one of the least-visited and least-populated states in the United States, but that has nothing to do with the quality of its residents. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and generosity. In terms of overall community satisfaction, the state received high marks from our readers.

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. Because it ranks highest in pet-friendliness, your dog is guaranteed to be accepted here.

Mississippi is a beautiful, charming state full of authentic Southern hospitality. The friendliness of Mississippians often comes as a pleasant surprise to visitors. Unless you insist on constantly reiterating the fact that everything is better "up North," locals will treat you like family and treat you like family.

Before you can even say "hello," a resident of Missouri will regale you with an exhaustive account of his or her life. There's no pretense or false friendliness here; people are genuinely kind and curious to hear from total strangers.

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

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

No matter who you are or what you're doing, you'll find that people in Kentucky are friendly. No matter if you're a native or a visitor, you can expect the same warm reception from the locals. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians is enough to make anyone consider making the state their permanent home.

It's not obvious at first glance that cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are warm and welcoming. The phrase "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason, as the locals genuinely enjoy making new friends. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers ranked it highly. Look lost In most cases, a friendly local will offer assistance.

If you're looking for welcoming locals, New Mexico is the place to go. It's chill and full of different cultures. Furthermore, two cities in New Mexico's top retirement destination for LGBT people At any rate, you now know

In a town of only 10 people, This state in the southern United States is home to 3 million people and features a fascinating blend of rural and urban communities. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, getting to know people is simple. Peach-loving Big 7 travelers rated Georgia a 7.

You'll hear that Idahoans are some of the friendliest in the country, and our readers agree. The locals are genuinely nice, and not in a stalkerish way. True to its reputation, Idaho welcomes visitors with open arms and genuine kindness.

Locationally, Illinois is right in the middle of the Midwest, and its people are some of the friendliest you'll ever meet. If you're looking for a city that welcomes tourists more than New York City, look no further than Chicago. It's also a pretty good state to visit: 19 of the safest cities in America are located in Illinois.

The people of Nebraska are among the friendliest 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 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 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. It's also fantastic for families, as there are many events and attractions geared specifically toward children.

Visitors to Hawaii receive exceptional service because the state places a premium on the tourist industry. 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.

In fact, Oklahoma is one of the friendliest states in the United States, and not just because Oklahoma City is often referred to as "The Big Friendly." 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.

Be ready to strike up conversations with complete strangers, as visitors from other states may be taken aback by the famous Kansas friendliness. The warmth of the locals towards tourists is a major reason why the state is so lovely.

The welcoming locals and progressive culture of Colorado make it a great 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. Whether you're in the city of Denver or out in the suburbs, 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 those in need. The locals have a positive disposition 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'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, it will arrive undamaged.

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. 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. Southern states are known for their warm welcomes and friendly people, and South Carolina is no exception.

Tennessee is the epitome of classic Southern hospitality, and its citizens are always excited to show visitors around town. It's already one of the most welcoming places in America, but when you factor in the exciting music scene, you can see why.

As for the most welcoming state in the Union, it is The people of Minnesota are so warm and welcoming that the state ranks first. There's a reason the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice": the Twin Cities and surrounding areas exude a genuine friendliness and hospitality that are unrivaled anywhere else.