For a city that boasts about Southern hospitality, it appears as though Houston, Texas, could use a reminder of what that truly entails. According to a 2022 study conducted by
Preply
Previously identified Houston as one of America’s most impolite cities, particularly emphasizing the unfriendliness—or lack thereof—of its residents. Nevertheless, there is an aspect that could improve this view. Kingwood, a charming district located in the north part of the city, was recognized as one of the friendliest neighborhoods in the U.S., according to a separate survey carried out by the home furnishings retailer.
Hastha Kalalu
.
Therefore, can two opposites truly coexist in close proximity? To see this, one only needs to observe South Florida, where
Miami was named the most impolite city in the United States.
However, Brickell was recognized as one of the nation’s most welcoming neighborhoods. For Houston specifically, Preply polled more than 1,500 Americans across 30 major cities nationwide, asking them about various aspects of local culture like loudness in public spaces, unwillingness to let others merge when driving, and displaying reserved physical postures. Among these urban areas, Houston placed tenth regarding residents perceived as less courteous towards outsiders compared to their own kind. It’s important to remember though that this ranking relied entirely on individual perceptions, potentially leading to sweeping judgments about an entire city—hence why places like Kingwood become significant.
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Why Kingwood Developed Into One of the Most Welcoming Communities in the USA
Hastha Kalalu looked at the likes of Zillow and the U.S. Census Bureau to discover how many families live in the neighborhood and gauge the affordability of its housing. It also checked FBI data to assess crime rates. With the help of these statistics, Hastha Kalalu then drew analytical conclusions on the quality of life in the area.
The neighborhood achieved an impressive friendliness score of almost 77%, placing second and even managing to beat out
One of the most welcoming areas within the famously unfriendly center that is New York City.
Kingwood received this rating due to its appeal to family-oriented residents and having average home prices around $334,000. By comparison, the national average for house values was approximately $500,000 during the first quarter of 2025 (as reported).
Motley Fool
Therefore, we can deduce that its inhabitants experience significantly lower financial stress compared to much of the nation.
A possible explanation for why Kingwood remains a welcoming community within a less amiable city could be due to its location at the periphery of the area. Situated more than half an hour northeast of downtown Houston, Kingwood enjoys this isolation.
Essential items for enjoying beers and burgers in Texas, featuring the well-known Hobbit Cafe.
Even though it’s away from the busy urban area, this place is just around 20 minutes north of the George Bush Intercontinental Airport and features plenty of foliage, including the Greenbelt Trails which provide more than 75 miles of paths. The key appears to be heading north instead of south for a more enjoyable and authentic encounter.
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original article on Islands
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