This Midwestern City Was Just Named the Most Neighborly in the U.S.

You really can count on your neighbors in Madison, Wisconsin.

Looking to live in a place where everyone is happy to share a cup of sugar, or at the very least, a smile with their neighbors? Then, now's the time to head over to Madison, Wisconsin.

Neighbor.com, a peer-to-peer storage marketplace, unveiled the findings from its fourth annual "Most Neighborly Cities in America" rankings. To figure out which spots are the most neighborly, the company analyzed data on various communities' charitable givings, rates of volunteer work, as well as crime statistics, which the website said help to accurately reflect "the core values of unity and neighborliness that make a city truly great."

This year, the winning city was Madison, which the website added, has consistently ranked highly in its annual survey for its commitment to charity.

"In these challenging times when Americans report increasing loneliness and division, recognizing America's 'Most Neighborly Cities' is not just a celebratory act, but a call for unity and hope," Joseph Woodbury, the founder and CEO of Neighbor.com, shared in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure. "Good neighbors heal our society's biggest wounds, starting with the smallest friendly gesture. The real magic of community is the ability to uplift and magnify our impact. At Neighbor, we're building a community of neighbors helping neighbors, and everyone's invited."

Joining Madison in the top 10 most neighborly cities are Minneapolis; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Sarasota, Florida; Rochester, New York; three cities in Utah (Provo, Salt Lake City, and Ogden); Raleigh, North Carolina; and Richmond, Virginia.

"We couldn't be happier that Madison has earned the title of America's most neighborly city. This recognition is a reflection of the warm, supportive, and proactive community spirit that doesn't just reside in Madison but is the heartbeat of all of Wisconsin," Anne Sayers, Wisconsin's tourism secretary, said in a statement. "This isn't just an accolade; it's a call to action for all Wisconsinites to continue fostering an environment where neighborliness and community cohesion are celebrated every day. And to everyone else, we extend an open invitation: come experience the neighborly spirit of Madison and see what makes our community — and our state — so special."

So, what makes a good neighbor, anyway? Beyond the rankings, the website also revealed the outcome of its Neighbor survey, which polled 1,000 Americans on what they believe builds strong communities. It found that people love a great party, noting, "90 percent of Americans plan to participate in neighborhood events as much or more over the next year. The top two activities they value in the community are park gatherings with live music, games, or movies (46 percent) and block parties (29 percent)."

Additionally, the survey found that it's the little things that count when someone is in need of a neighborly helping hand. According to the survey participants, the best ways to help a neighbor in need are to "retriev[e] and safely stor[e] mail while they are out of town (34 percent), assist with yard work (31 percent), and even passing along family recipes (29 percent)."

So next time your neighbor heads out on vacation, offer to snag their mail for them. Odds are, they'd do the same for you too. 

Related: 10 Best Small Towns in Wisconsin for Serene Views, Charming Hotels, and Delicious Food

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