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I have lived in 8 states for school and my job, and have always made friends. But looking back, the majority of the really close friends I have made have been, like me, originally from somewhere else. It is obvious to understand why non-natives feel connected, as they both know what it's like to be new in town and not know anyone.
I was just wondering which "natives" everyone feels are not just welcoming, but also the most open to new friendships.
I've lived in Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington DC and Pennsylvania. I travel frequently to New York and New Jersey. I have found that transitional areas tend to be more friendly than places where people stay rooted (like PA). I think college towns tend to be quite friendly and my best friends 20 years later are those I met in Chapel Hill, NC while NOT attending school, just living there.
Spokane, WA
-very engaging and caring neighbors that don't leave their home area very often. Very easy place to make friends in my experience, long conversations with acquaintances (who become friends) are fairly norm.
Denver, CO
-very few natives, but the ones that are here are alright I guess. Very hard group to crack.
Ridgecrest, CA
-once you're in, you're in for life. A black hole that will suck you in and never let you escape.
Riverside, CA
-meh. Let's just spend our whole day trying to be cooler than everyone else, so we can leave you when we decide (as a group) that we don't like you anymore.
I've lived in several states to include; Virginia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. I have got to say that North Carolina has the best people in the world both native and non-native. I love it here and even if my husband's job gets sent overseas again, I'm not leaving. I was raised in Virginia and if I'd known that people in North Carolina were as nice as the one's I've meet here, I would have moved here years ago.
The folks that I met in Ohio, Cleveland and NW part of the state, were the most genuine and caring bunch I've encountered in my moving sega. I've lived in MI, several areas of OH, and now NC. Most of NC folks are nice and majority are also transplants. I do get along with several natives very well. But, the true friendships I have been able to establish were in OH and they are still going strong despite me moving.
Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, without question. The nicest, most welcoming down-to-earth people I have ever met are in abundance in these two great states.
For sincerely friendly as opposed to culturally obligated friendly the answer is easy. Any place where transplants make up a high proportion of the population. Sunbelt states are good for this.
Places that are full of natives are likely to be rude (indifferent is a better word) or insincerely friendly (their culture demands cordiality and smiles but inside they are as indifferent as the 'rude' ones).
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WI and PA
