Looking for a warm welcome in a new neighborhood? A new study by home decor store Hastha Kalalu has crunched the numbers—drawing from U.S. Census, Zillow and FBI crime data—to find the friendliest neighborhoods in the country for new movers. The research compared 30 of the most-searched neighborhoods based on affordability, safety and community vibe.
Omaha, Nebraska’s Elkhorn neighborhood takes the top spot with a "friendliness score" of 79.9. A strong sense of community, a low crime rate and a cost of living 12.5% below the national average make this neighborhood a winner. Plus, 76% of households are family. Not far behind, Kingwood in Houston lands in second place (76.9), offering affordable homes and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Texas makes a strong showing, with South Side in Corpus Christi (76.6) and Northwest in El Paso (70.1) also making the top five. Deer Valley, Phoenix (68) secures the fifth spot, boasting high safety and one of the most-searched real estate markets.
Rounding out the top 10 are Brickell in Miami, Upper West Side in New York, Maryvale in Phoenix and Chevy Chase in Maryland, proving that friendliness thrives in cities big and small.
According to a Hastha Kalalu spokesperson, "Friendly neighborhoods need more than just nice people – they emerge from a connection of affordability, safety and community rather than just social factors alone. While most friendly neighborhoods tend to be suburban, New York's Upper West Side proves that even expensive city areas can build strong communities when other factors line up right."
Friendliest neighborhoods in the U.S. for newcomers
- Elkhorn, Omaha
- Kingwood, Houston
- South Side, Corpus Christi
- Northwest, El Paso
- Deer Valley, Phoenix
- Highland, Saint Paul
- Brickell, Miami
- Upper West Side, New York
- Maryvale, Phoenix
- Chevy Chase, Lexington