A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World

Nicest Places

After hearing all your stories and submissions, we’ve found some of the nicest places in America. From metropolitan miracles to small-town hidden gems, our nation’s capacity for human kidness will amaze you. Did your town make the list?

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Fortuna, CA

A small town with pioneer roots, Fortuna's wild landscape and rustic rodeos are the mixture responsible for Fortuna's irresistible Western...


Best Little Hair House in Yukon, OK

Walk into the Best Little Hair Shop and you'll feel it right away: the aura of kindness. The ladies who...


Charleston, SC

In the nearly 27 years I have had the privilege of living in Charleston, I can say the people here


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Bayside Community Church in East Bradenton, FL

Bayside Community Church is more than just a place of worship -- it's a community organization that strives to do...


FINALIST: Kalamazoo, MI

Bursting at the seams with kindness, it's impossible not to rave about living in this Michigan city -- just ask...


Westbury Neighborhood in Houston, TX

The Westbury neighborhood of Houston is full of love, and that means donating time and money to causes that are...


Kiawah Island, SC

Life on Kiawah Island is pleasant, with bike trails and beaches with gentle surf. The residents are always happy to...


Wood Village, OR

This tale of two cities has a much happier ending than Dickens scripted, as Wood Village and Fairview combined forces...

Summerville, SC

Their sweet tea is large. Their hearts, larger. Summerville boasts the world's largest sweet tea, and they also host the...


Marshall, MO

Cindy Barker lived undiagnosed with lupus for over 20 years, finally finding reprieve in Marshall, where she found a doctor...


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Yardarm Bar & Grill in Racine, WI

Yardarm is a place where the owners and staff know how to make you feel welcome, even when they have...


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Kettering Cancer Center in Kettering, OH

Doctors, nurses and all the staff at Kettering know how to make a patient feel good, even while they fight...


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Hickory Hills, IL

Hickory Hills is the kind of place where your new neighbors become friends in no time. Before you know it,...


Home Away from Home in Valparaiso, IN

Home Away from Home is heaven both for residents and their family members, who can sleep peacefully knowing that their...


Clarke Farms in Parker, CO

The folks in Clarke Farms aren't just neighbors -- they're friends. And that means they play together, with parties on...


Lombard, IL

When catastrophe struck Lombard and several teens were severely injured in a backyard fire, the community rallied around them. Many...


Mobile Christian School in Saraland, AL

Though they're still students, the kids at Mobile Christian might just school you on manners.

Nolan, TX

It may take a village, but when their villagers have fallen on tough times the folks in Nolan pull together.


Kipling, NC

Sometimes, life is kinder than fiction. At least that's the case in Kipling, where the residents are so well known...


Vets Returning Home in Roseville, MI

After dedicating their lives to serving their country, some veterans need help returning to civilian life. Vets Returning Home aims...


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La Red Health Center in Georgetown, DE

The epitome of hospitality, La Red Health Center treats their patients like family. Staff is on hand to drive you...


Honey Creek in Tulsa, OK

At Honey Creek, sweetness flows -- so much so that real estate rarely stays on the market for long. The...


La Crosse, WI

A perfect model for America, La Crosse is honest, sincere, and most importantly, kind. The people of La Crosse have...

Greenville, SC

Greenville is a safe, welcoming city, where the locals can't wait to tell you about what it's like to live...


Saint Germain, WI

Aptly named, this Wisconsin town is full of saints. Friend or stranger, the residents of Saint Germain are never ones...


Indianapolis, IN

Rich with culture, Indianapolis sees lots of transplants from all over. With arms and doors wide open, who wouldn't want...


Walla Walla Community College in Walla Walla, WA

Students attend Walla Walla Community College to take classes, but the professors at Walla Walla will school you on kindness...


Blue River, NE

Here in Blue River, serenity is king. The community is close-knit and the neighbors helpful, so you're free to lounge...


Petoskey, MI

If Petoskey's spectacular Lake Michigan views don't make your day, it's salt-of-the-earth townspeople will. It's a home for all, no...