The Obligatory New Jersey Post

FUN FACT: In 2015, YouGov conducted a survey in which US citizens were asked about their opinions of each state. The results were––in my opinion––hilarious: New Jersey is the least liked state in the United States of America. In fact, it is the only state which receives an overall negative opinion.

I was born in New Jersey. That's where my family has lived for generations. And so, as my husband and I pack our little car for the west coast, I find myself feeling obligated to compose some thoughts on living here in this lovely, humid, unfriendly, taxed-to-death state.

My family's farmhouse in rural New Jersey

As soon as I tell people I'm from Jersey, I cringe as I hear the classic reply: "Oh, from Joisey, huh?" or "That's funny. Where's your accent?"

Let's clarify a few things. First of all, New Jersey is unofficially split into two sections by its residents: South Jersey, which is basically a rural suburb of Philly, and North Jersey, which is basically an industrial suburb of NYC. The infamous "Joisey Accent" is actually a creature of New York––yes, guys, Snooki grew up in New York, not New Jersey––and is really not that prevalent in South Jersey.

(If you want to hear the quintessential South Jersey accent, simply ask a resident to say the word "water" and you've got it.)

Now, back to the first point. Despite being looked down upon, residents of New Jersey are pretty proud of their hard-nosed way of life. "Only the Strong Survive" is their defiant motto. People don't smile much here, and their sense of humor––if you want to call it that––is mostly sarcasm. I was born in Jersey, spent some of my childhood there, then escaped with my family to Florida, where I picked up on a few Southern tendencies, like smiling at strangers. In my late teens, however, my family moved back to South Jersey and it became my home base until––booyah––I got married.

CONFESSION TIME: despite my heritage, I am not a Jersey Girl. I simply don't like it here. The weather consists of hot, muggy Summers; short Autumns and Springs; and gray, cold, rainy Winters. Cost of living is high: everything requires a permit (even visiting the shore), rent is high, taxes are high, toll roads are everywhere. People are generally bossy, informal, blunt and assertive (and proud of it). Everything is regulated and against the law. Yup, this place is just not my scene.

The same family farmhouse in rural New Jersey

However, South Jersey isn't all bad. There's a lot of charm to be found here, if you know where to look. I've lived in the suburbs and the countryside, and both can possess an old-fashioned, small-town feel. Rolling fields of corn sway under overcast skies, the mailman walks from house to house, and––no matter where you live––you can stroll down to one of the many parks and feed the ducks (jk that's against the law now) or picnic (I LOVE picnicking). Plus, there's tons of American history, and it's convenient to live within driving distance of several large cities (Philly, NYC, Boston and DC, to name a few). Also did I mention all the corn fields?

Meeting with Gen Washington after a Christmas Day reenactment of crossing the Delaware River

Corn, corn, corn! Nuthin' but corn!

And, of course, there's Wawa. Wawa is the world's greatest convenience store. All Jerseyans will swear by it. They have the best hoagies and soft pretzels, and I will miss them dearly when I leave.

So, if you ever visit (or, heaven forbid, move to New Jersey), here are a few things to remember:

- Prepare to be honked at. Trust me, it will happen.
- Have extra cash on hand for
   a) all the tolls you might accidentally encounter
   b) the adorable little farm stands with fresh produce at fabulous prices
- DON'T TRAVEL IN THE LEFT LANE. The left lane is for passing.
- Watch out for all the deer.

Also, some jargon:
- It's The Shore, not the beach.
- They're jimmies, not sprinkles.
- Call it a hoagie, not a sub.

Aaaand, last but not least, South Jersey is the only place outside of Philadelphia where you can get a decent Philly Cheesesteak. If you are anywhere else and you encounter one, it's a fraud––okay?