the fifty friendliest states in the union

At first glance, locals (especially those in the countryside) could However, if you can make it through the initial chaos, you'll find that each of the five boroughs of New York City is a vibrant cultural hub with welcoming neighborhoods. Just don't block the sidewalk or get in the way while taking 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. Is it that our readers' perception of Delaware as unwelcoming stems from the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as dull? Unhappily, it's considered 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 be on the map of the friendliest states in America if its residents are known for ignoring one another. Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, can take years.

One possible interpretation of the Jersey way of life is as blatant rudeness. And based on the results of this poll, it appears to be the case The people of New Jersey are notoriously outspoken. If nothing else, the (likely unfriendly) gas station worker will pump your gas for you.

Though Washington state often places highly on lists of environmentally-friendly states, when it comes to its residents, things are quite different. People in Seattle aren't outright unfriendly, but they do have a certain "polite but unfriendly" air about them. 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. But that pride can easily be misinterpreted by strangers as arrogance. The locals are known to be obstinate, and the area's low population density and widespread farmland can make it difficult to make new friends.

Nevada, home of Sin City, is a state of extremes. When compared to more welcoming destinations like Reno, Las Vegas can be a rough place to spend time. When it comes to helping strangers, Nevadans generally won't go out of their way.

With Miami consistently ranking as one of the unfriendliest 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 boost the state's reputation, but Florida as a whole still has a ways to go.

Unless you've lived in Rhode Island your whole life, you probably won't be accepted as a true local. Readers of Big 7 Travel did not give Rhode Islanders high marks on the publication's "friendly scale." Local cashiers are less likely to greet you with a smile in larger cities, but they may do so in smaller ones.

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. There is a more relaxed atmosphere in smaller towns.

It's not like the people of Arizona are as outwardly friendly as those in the South, but they're chill. While waiting in line, you might strike up a conversation with a total stranger, but don't count on any huge grins being exchanged. As a whole, it's a pleasant indifference to other people.

Most people from Connecticut are polite, reserved, and pleasant, but some are downright friendly. Actually, no. Despite their reputation for coldness, New Englanders will always hold the door for you and offer a friendly greeting. Even though it isn't the most culturally active state, residents still manage to pull together through open mike nights and other community gatherings.

It's true that Alaska is in the middle of nowhere, but the state relies heavily on tourism, so 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. The alternative is that they will simply ignore you; however, they are not rude in any way.

The people of Montana will surprise you with their 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. In general, the towns have a good time with each other and have welcoming attitudes toward visitors.

Virginia's increasing diversity is making the state even more inviting and friendly. Washington, D.C., is a cultural mecca, but some may view the city as conservative and wary of outsiders. C city life, and other major urban centers, it's a great place to live.

The people of Vermont are known for their warm and welcoming demeanor, making it simple to strike up conversations with complete strangers. Due to the abundance of tourists, the locals are extremely friendly and willing to assist with any needs. Some Vermonters in smaller communities may take some time to warm up to newcomers, but once they do, you'll have friends for life.

The people who call North Carolina home are known for their politeness, willingness to aid strangers, and warm welcome to visitors. At Walmart, in the parking lot, or even at a red light, people will say "hi." A distinctive feature of the state is the large number of people who hail from different parts of the country.

Utahns are known for their warm hospitality, so you should feel right at home here. Salt Lake City is one of the most welcoming large cities in the United States for the LGBTQ community, and it also has a wonderful social scene.

Our readership appears to share the opinion that Maine is a desirable place to settle because of its low crime rate and welcoming locals. Mainers, in contrast to their New England contemporaries, are known for their friendliness and openness. Right when you walk in, you'll notice this.

The people of West Virginia are known to be among the friendliest and most helpful you'll encounter anywhere in the United States. This laid-back lifestyle 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.

Iowans are known for their friendliness and kindness, evidenced by the frequent use of "howdy" and "how are you" in everyday interactions with strangers. 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 tell you all about their delicious produce.

Michiganders fancy themselves a sociable lot, but the cities of Detroit and Ann Arbor in particular can be a challenge for newcomers. 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 cultural melting pot. Because of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has a thriving, social 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, 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. Is there a chance it's connected to the Packers?

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. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and generosity. Communities in the state received high marks from our readers.

Oregonians are known for their friendliness toward total strangers. The hipster community in Portland may be difficult to enter, but the people there are nice, I swear. If you're bringing your dog, they'll be welcome here, too, because it's the most pet-friendly state in the country.

Southern hospitality and charm abound in Mississippi. The friendliness of the locals is often cited as a point of surprise for visitors to Mississippi. If you refrain from bragging about how great it is "up North," the locals will treat you like family and treat you like family.

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

Everyone you meet in Alabama will treat you well if you treat them well. By following this simple guideline, you'll quickly discover that Alabama is among the most welcoming 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.

South Dakota is home to many progressive, forward-thinking towns populated by involved, helpful locals. Here, even in the largest cities, people are comfortable striking up conversations with total strangers about anything from the weather to the latest football game. The residents of this region are the very embodiment of the term "Midwestern Nice."

No matter who you are or what you're doing, you'll meet friendly people in Kentucky. The friendly locals don't care if you were born and raised here or if you're just passing through. You'll want to make a quick decision to relocate to Kentucky because of the unique warmth of its people.

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are two cities whose reputations for friendliness may not be as high as they deserve. The phrase "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason; locals truly are friendly. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers rated it very highly. Look lost A friendly local is likely to assist you.

In most of New Mexico's communities, you'll find warm and welcoming locals. It has a relaxed atmosphere and a wide variety of cultural influences. Furthermore, two cities in New Mexico's top retirement destination for LGBT people Well, there you have it.

With only ten people, With a population of over 3 million people, this southern state offers a fascinating blend of rural and urban settings. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, getting to know locals is simple. Those who read the Big 7 Travel report on Georgia thought it was great.

People from all over the country will tell you that Idahoans are among the friendliest you'll meet, and our readers agree. 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, a state in the center of the Midwest, is known for its warm and welcoming residents. When compared to New York City, Chicago is often regarded as the more welcoming destination for international visitors. Also, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a great state to visit.

It's true what they say about Nebraskans: they're some of the friendliest people you'll meet anywhere in the United States. Everywhere you look, people are pitching in to help each other, giving off an overwhelming sense of community. You can pass for a true native if you just learn the "one finger" wave to use while driving.

Locals make an effort to make visitors feel at home despite the area's recent history of natural disasters. Even though Louisiana is home to a wide variety of cultures, its residents have one thing in common: they make it one of the friendliest and best places to live in the United States.

The good manners and genuine friendliness of the Ohioan people are legendary throughout the Midwest. The locals have an open mind and are happy to recommend their favorite restaurant or bar to visitors. In addition to being a fantastic destination for couples, it also caters to families with a wide variety of fun things to do.

Tourists in Hawaii are the top priority, so the state's reputation for warm hospitality is well-deserved. It has a reputation for having an "Aloha Spirit." Everyone you meet in paradise will give you a friendly wave and a positive attitude suggests that there must be some psychological benefit to living in paradise.

Oklahoma is one of the friendliest states in America, and its capital city, "The Big Friendly," has earned that moniker for good reason. In this area, people are always up for a chat and will do anything they can to protect those within their own community. They treat visitors 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 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 tons 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 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.

Even though Wyoming is a relatively tranquil state, its residents make visiting here a blast. Even in large cities, it is not unusual for a stranger to help you carry your groceries or free your stuck car from the snow. Don't bother getting out of the car. Most likely, everything will be fine.

The friendly Texans and their "Howdys" are a trademark. Its reputation for welcoming visitors "everywhere you go" has helped make it one of the friendliest states in the United States. The locals in its major cities will make you feel right at home, as if you'd traveled to one of the smaller towns that surround them.

It's no secret that the people of South Carolina are extremely warm and inviting. South Carolina exemplifies the warm hospitality and generous spirit for which the South is famous.

Typical of the South, Tennesseans are friendly and eager to show off their city to visitors. 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. The Twin Cities and the rest of Minnesota have an unrivaled "Minnesota Nice" vibe thanks to the friendly, down-to-earth locals and numerous visitor-friendly attractions.