Why are people from New Jersey so proud of being from there?
Posted by xoBonesxo@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 314 comments
Met many Jerseyans, I even became a fan of the Devils since many of them showed me to them. They usually like to say they don’t take pride in being American, but some say they take pride in being from Jersey since it’s always poked at by other people so it strengthens their pride. What would other reasons be?
wahitii@reddit
Nothing invokes local pride like everyone else telling you how crappy your area is when it's really not bad at all.
allid33@reddit
Exactly this. It gets shit on by people from some of the worst places on earth whose only experience in NJ was a layover in Newark 5 years ago. In reality NJ has great schools and neighborhoods and transit and proximity to major cities and beaches.
I will happily shit on Jerz for being a boring unwalkable strip-mall laden suburb but the minute someone else comes after it, shit’s on.
Paw5624@reddit
As someone who grew up on Long Island it is my duty to insult NJ every chance I get. If I stop insulting them i realize I’m just looking in a mirror
xoBonesxo@reddit (OP)
You can just insult the more trashier area, nyc
polelover44@reddit
As a native of Manhattan I am required by law to shit on New Jersey, but at least it's not Connecticut.
cyberchaox@reddit
Understandable; we feel the same way about you.
ReplyDifficult3985@reddit
Na homie. Having lived in the south....our suburbs are infinitely better then most of the country. Woodbridge is like 3 times the population density as Houston just to out it into perspective.
rutherfraud1876@reddit
Now do The Woodlands
PhilosophyBitter7875@reddit
Pine barrens?
ReplyDifficult3985@reddit
The woodlands texas? Easy Woodbridge NJ has twice the density of the woodlands in half the space. Both are about the sameish in terms of population (around 100k). The density gets even more lopsided when you compare the proper NJ urban centers. Point being even most of our suburbs are relatively walkable and laid out in a way where not having a car doesnt automatically mean you are completely screwed.
Xciv@reddit
A bunch of our suburbs have downtown main streets. Just that alone beats most other suburbs.
rutherfraud1876@reddit
All the ways in which people made fun of NJ, I found out were even more true of the rest of the country (outside NYC)
GentleJackJoness@reddit
You forget to mention the smell and the crazy way you turn left!
mikkowus@reddit
No, keep shitting on it or shitty people will try to move there and bank off y'all
firemanmhc@reddit
Lifelong Jersey resident…this is 100% true. We’re just a suburb of NYC/Philly. We have no class. We are all corrupt and/or in the mafia. The perception brought by Jersey Shore. Blah, blah, blah.
That galvanizes a “yeah? Go fuck yourself!” mentality. And we are proud of that. I’ll argue “pork roll vs. Taylor ham” all day (it’s pork roll, BTW). I’ll bitch about Bennys and Parkway traffic in the summer. But some out-of-state jackass dumps on us, and I’ll hold him down while the Benny whups his ass. Then we will go back to our argument.
The Jersey shore (the actual shore, not the TV show) is world famous. Pork roll. Lots and lots of beautiful open spaces. Quick access to anything you could ever need. High standard of living. It’s the only “New” state that is identified by its second word (nobody says Hampshire, York, or Mexico).
So the haters can keep hating. I love it here.
Peace_Turtle@reddit
PORK. ROLL.
skateboreder@reddit
It started in Trenton.
They call it Pork Roll.
End of story.
rhamphol30n@reddit
What's that? Is that the thing the south calls Taylor Ham?
PhilosophyBitter7875@reddit
The north calls it Taylor Ham, South Jersey calls it Pork roll.
rhamphol30n@reddit
Yeah, that was the joke I was making. It's a long running feud that the south pretends it is called pork roll.
PhilosophyBitter7875@reddit
Oh im an idiot, I see what you did you stinker.
cyberchaox@reddit
While I applaud you for getting the pork roll vs. Taylor Ham debate correct...it's clear that you've only ever ventured north of Trenton on the Shore side, if you believe that crap about the whole state being just suburbs of NYC and Philly. And that's fine, because if you are indeed from south of Philly, then I've never been to your part of the state either despite living here for almost my entire life. But yeah, the "Garden State" nickname isn't the ironic one most outsiders think it is. We've got plenty of farmland here in the northwest part of the state.
devilbunny@reddit
There are a lot of great things about NJ (good schools, beautiful countryside, great working environment). The Shore is… a good beach by standards of the East Coast? I grew up on NW Florida sugar-sand beaches. There are far prettier waters, but you will never beat the sand there.
I had a lot of college friends from NJ. Nice people once we broke the ice.
Itsalltokay@reddit
Taylor ham
smurfetteshat@reddit
It reminds me of how Philly hates gritty until other people made fun of him and now he’s basically they’re muppet savior
Fappy_as_a_Clam@reddit
New Jersey is actually pretty beautiful once you get out of Newark and/or off the turnpike. Unfortunately that the only part most people see.
WindyWindona@reddit
We placed all the refineries along the turnpike to keep New Yorkers out...
Peace_Turtle@reddit
It's called the Garden state for a reason, my wife is from Brookyln and had no idea we have farms, or that her favoutite blueberries are grown here.
vydgj42@reddit
Agree completely. It’s a great place to be from. And those who only know Newark have no idea. Their loss. Phenomenal home town.
DesertWanderlust@reddit
I think this is it. Never encountered people so defensive of criticizing someone's home state. Save for maybe Michigan.
MMAGG83@reddit
This could honestly explain a majority of patriotism in the US since WW2.
igotshadowbaned@reddit
I didn't truly understand New Jersey hatred until I drove the full length of the Jersey Turnpike.
CupBeEmpty@reddit
Heheh I used to give my buddy from Jersey such a hard time. I knew it’s a beautiful state but I’d only been to about the worst parts of it. So he knew I was just fucking with him.
Then we had a sports tourney and stayed at his parents’ house. Absolutely unbelievably beautiful. Perfect example of “the garden state.” This was in late spring too so everything was in bloom.
After that I’d I ever gave him crap about Jersey he’s just get a puff of pride knowing I knew I was full of it.
Streamjumper@reddit
I had two roomies from NJ at college and loved em like brothers, but will still give em every ounce of shit I can muster. And they'll take it like champs.
Whenever I visited Jersey I felt amazingly at home. There's a ton of similarities between them and CT, so it isn't that surprising. It definitely has some beautiful parts, for being stuck in the state furthest from God's Sight.
CupBeEmpty@reddit
CT talking smack… bold move. I love it.
Glad_Position3592@reddit
I wouldn’t say it’s not bad at all. There are a lot of very shitty areas of Jersey. It’s not like Camden and Trenton are big cities with bad parts, they’re basically suburbs that are just plain bad, which is kind of unusual
zombie_girraffe@reddit
About 30 years ago when I was a kid, I'd spend summers at my grandparents place in Philadelphia and the moment you crossed the bridge into NJ, you were welcomed by the horrible stench of Camden. Have they fixed that yet? Because to this day whenever I smell raw sewage, it reminds me of driving through New Jersey.
cuntmagistrate@reddit
Yup
vengefulgrapes@reddit
Or even if it is bad. I’ve seen several memes along the lines of “I fucking hate my shitty third world country, except for when somebody else shits on it in which case I am the most patriotic person alive”
idredd@reddit
This is it. I’m from NJ, great place in so many ways but so much of NJ pride is a very delightful form of spite.
Pitiful-Anxiety-1410@reddit
they dont call it "The garden state" for nothing...;
Alert-Algae-6674@reddit
Mostly because of a strong cultural identity. But putting jokes aside, it genuinely has one of the highest standards of living and development in the US
paradisetossed7@reddit
I like to shit on NJ like any other red-blooded American but they have the number one best public school system in the country the first time I visited it was to see my SIL, and there were rabbits all around and the air smelled like cookies. Still confused how one of the smartest states cant handle turning left though.
WhichSpirit@reddit
Studies were done that found jug handles reduced traffic accidents vs standard left turns. We just implemented it.
The state is currently working on a plan to eliminate traffic deaths. Hoboken hasn't had one in seven years.
sgtm7@reddit
Had to do an internet search to find out what a jughandle was. Interesting. Never seen or heard of them before now.
ToneSenior7156@reddit
We call it “the Jersey jug” and it’s partly why we are all such good drivers.
WhichSpirit@reddit
Let's be honest. We all drive like aggressive lunatics. However, we all drive like the same aggressive lunatic so it works out.
ToneSenior7156@reddit
As long as we all agree the left lane is for fast, the right for slowpokes - we will be better drivers than the rest of the country.
sfsp3@reddit
The hooptie lane.
lightbulbsun86@reddit
Drive slow like a sea turtle? Get out of the left lane!
veloceracing@reddit
I moved to PA and I don't think you're far off, but we all don't drive like lunatics. We know our place. And if you're in some place you don't belong, you're going to fucking hear it.
There is no shame in doing your own thing in the far right lane. You do you, homegirl/homeboy. But if you EVER set foot in the left lane, you best be driving like you're running from the grim reaper themselves.
Streamjumper@reddit
It works because it is a controlled aggression for the most part. Knowing where you are supposed to be and claiming that space when you should.
OneAndDone169@reddit
This is exactly it! My Uncle is born and raised in Pittsburgh and after 30 years of driving up and down 80 he has always said “NJ drivers are way better than NY drivers because in Jersey they drive like maniacs but at least they know what they’re doing!”
green_goblins_O-face@reddit
We have to be aggressive. PA drivers are everywhere
TillPsychological351@reddit
Nah, you guys drive fine... it's those Pennsylvanians thinking they can get to the shore earlier on a Friday evening or Saturday if they just drive aggressively enough. You can feel the difference heading south on the Garden State Parkway as soon as you hit the intetsection of the AC Expressway.
Tortie33@reddit
Driving the same is so important. I’m from NYS living in Charlotte and everyone is from somewhere else. Drivers are unpredictable, don’t use signals, don’t stop at red lights and it’s crazy out there. Everyone is buying dash cams. I too am going to look up Jersey Jug.
yodellingllama_@reddit
One thing I miss about New Jersey driving is how the speed limit is universally ignored as irrelevant. You go as fast as the car in front of you. It's really the only way.
Ever since I moved to Washington State, I've encountered a mix of people who are basically rule-followers and rule-breakers. Makes for a dangerous combination. I'd much rather drive on the Parkway at rush hour than I-5 because at least on the Parkway you know everyone has the same goal: get to your destination as quickly as possible.
WhichSpirit@reddit
This was literally taught in my drivers ed class. Teacher said to go no more than 5 above the speed limit unless everyone else was speeding more. Then you have to keep up with the flow of traffic.
mrbeanIV@reddit
Seriously they are great. There's a few near where I live and it makes busy intersections so much less stressful.
Chank-a-chank1795@reddit
Australia has had them for years
Damn confusing when driving on the opposite side for the first time!!!
firesquasher@reddit
People drive in Hoboken? It's supposed to be one of the most walkable cities in the state.
WhichSpirit@reddit
They do. Hoboken being so walkable was part of the city's work to reducing traffic deaths. Kinda hard to run someone over when you're walking.
firesquasher@reddit
So we can both understand why saying the state is trying to eliminate traffic deaths, while using one of the most pedestrian friendly cities is a poor comparison? The rest of the state is wildly dependent on vehicular traffic, and with that comes the unfortunate side effect of people driving horrifically.
WhichSpirit@reddit
The problem is that we're looking at the end result for Hoboken (a very walkable community) and the beginning of the statewide effort. Hoboken was the trial run and now it's being expanded to the rest of the state. It used to be as horrific for pedestrians as everywhere else. Now that they've proven certain improvements are effective, we can implement them everywhere else.
Peace_Turtle@reddit
Hoboken doesn't count, cause you can't go more than 15 mph without some rich dumbass walking into the street without looking for cars.
ExhaustedByStupidity@reddit
Did you really need studies for that? It's super, super obvious.
The downside of jug handles is just that they take up more space, so they're usually not worth doing for a low traffic intersection. And you can't really put them in after an area has been developed.
cjbanning@reddit
It never hurts to check what seems like common sense against the facts just in case.
WhichSpirit@reddit
You need studies for all things. It's part of living in the state with the highest concentration of scientists and engineers in the world.
netsurf916@reddit
Here we are in Kansas with our confusing diverging diamonds making people do crazy maneuvers after missing the correct way.
WhichSpirit@reddit
TIL I will never drive in Kansas.
pakrat1967@reddit
NC has embraced the diamond too. Mainly at highway interchanges that don't have the full 4 leaf clover setup. If traffic on the overpass needs to make a left turn to get on the other highway. The traffic directions are basically swapped so that instead of making a left turn. The traffic just makes a left exit. If you want to see an example of it. Look at I-26 and Airport road (280) between Asheville and Hendersonville.
InterPunct@reddit
Hoboken is only one square mile and everyone drives at 10 mph because they're always looking for parking spaces.
The best thing about New Jersey is the view of Manhattan.
All jokes aside, I love NJ. Such a diverse and beautiful state with some great American history.
paradisetossed7@reddit
This is how I ended up in the middle of Camden late at night. Had never heard of a jug handle and was extremely confused by all the no left turn signs.
WhichSpirit@reddit
I have ended up in the middle of Camden so many times I'm starting to suspect the city has its own gravitational pull.
saplinglearningsucks@reddit
Amy Degise must be staying in Jersey City then
WhichSpirit@reddit
Pretty sure she'd be tarred and feathered if she ever showed her face in Hoboken.
Angsty_Potatos@reddit
As a Philadelphian I to have a moral perogitive to shit on the garbage state.
But things I have to give them: Bruce, bon jovi, a fantastic public school system, and tomatoes
paradisetossed7@reddit
Sorry PA, much of my family is from PA, literally going back to the 17th century, but, uh, NJ did us a solid in the 2024 election and PA.....
Angsty_Potatos@reddit
Philly isn't the rest of pa. We often do a lot of heavy lifting to haul this state blue. But it's not always possible
paradisetossed7@reddit
Oh I get it. I was in school in Orlando when Obama won in 2008 and 2012 and people were partying in the street. Shitty when your city does its best but other towns do their worst.
jda404@reddit
Rural PA is maga country sadly. Some of us who live here in the middle of PA tried and voted blue, but we failed unfortunately :-( it was so disappointing to see PA go red again.
Ladonnacinica@reddit
I must tip my hat to the state of new Jersey for giving us: Bruce, bon jovi, a fantastic public school system, tomatoes, and my husband.
I see how you listed it in order of importance 😜
Angsty_Potatos@reddit
I think he would list me in a similar order
Sandwich culture, hall and oats, the roots, fantastic state parks, and me
Ladonnacinica@reddit
I truly appreciate the sense of humor you and your husband have 😊.
green_goblins_O-face@reddit
Oh you think that's bad, when we're out of state, operating a fuel pump feels like trying to defuse a bomb.
paradisetossed7@reddit
I was SO confused the first time I went to a gas station in NJ. I was like hey, I got this, but it'd the law so... Then I wondered if you're supposed to tip lol
tableSloth_@reddit
Huh, a cookie factory must have had a bad batch and sent them all to the landfill that day
paradisetossed7@reddit
I believe there was a Nabisco factory nearby. Also, I grew up in FL where I never saw rabbits, so when I got to this place and it smelled like cookies as rabbits frolicked, I felt like I was in Heaven. Until I needed to make a left turn.
WhichSpirit@reddit
Were you in Sayreville, Hackettstown, or Fairlawn? They had factories for Sunshine, M&Ms, and Nabisco respectively.
paradisetossed7@reddit
Yeah, not too far from Fair Lawn. It was over a decade now (woof, doesn't feel like it) and I remember wondering why everyone made fun of Jersey because it was like... out of a storybook. Then we learned you can't turn left and ended up stranded in Camden. So.
WhichSpirit@reddit
Just wait until you see Rat's in the Sculpture Garden. Literally storybook.
paradisetossed7@reddit
Idk what that means but I'm from a literal swamp in sorry 😭
WhichSpirit@reddit
It's a restaurant in a botanic garden that has sculptures. I found it on a list of 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the US.
Hannibam86@reddit
You think jughandles are bad, googlr how they do a left turn in Melbourne, Australia. 💀💀💀
paradisetossed7@reddit
AI makes it sound pretty normal but AI is frequently wrong. Also Aussies drive on the wrong side. As much as I'll shit on my own country, I'll never get over the fact that in some countries they drive on the left.
EruditeTarington@reddit
It’s almost like a near Massachusetts
NewMexicoVaquero@reddit
I would also surmise that being overshadowed by New York is also apart of it.
saurusautismsoor@reddit
Plus you can find lots of diversity in New Jersey
saurusautismsoor@reddit
It’s close to New York City !
CrashZ07@reddit
Being stuck between two major cities will do that to you.
jaboi2110@reddit
As someone from Connecticut, I shit on NJ simply because Newark is Newark, but really, I shouldn’t talk because Bridgeport might be worse.
AgitatedAorta@reddit
It is.
Substantial_Room3793@reddit
Also from Connecticut and always felt we were the better neighboring state to NYC but just a little jealous that NJ is right over the river from Manhattan.
Cosmic-Ape-808@reddit
2 words: “The Sopranos”
mjdefaz@reddit
The simmering anger over a place that popular culture has told them was the armpit of America actually enjoying a much higher quality of living than whatever shitty flyover state they’re from.
Embarrassed-Base-143@reddit
No they don’t. North Jersey wants to be from Brooklyn and central & south Jersey wants to be from Philly.
Jackasaurous_Rex@reddit
Maybe the one or two towns across the border, I never really god that vibe in northeast jersey or in college at central jersey. Like we’ve joked about those people living 30 minutes outside NYC saying they’re like from NYC but you get that with suburbs outside any metro area. And well NJ is sort of teo metropolitan areas blurring together.
Also TBH no one thinks much about Brooklyn in comparison to Manhattan. Can’t speak for people who live like REALLY close, I grew up within an hour and vast majority of people I know or the people haven’t really ventured past the Dumbo photoshoot and don’t care to, no offense it’s just a whole hike to get out there and Manhattan is practically yearly staple.
Embarrassed-Base-143@reddit
The lifestyle, the culture it all embodies Philly and NY. Jersey club? All Philly, the slang? All Philly and NY, depending on the part of NJ, how they dress? All Philly, the rappers? I’ll give them to NY, they all use NY type beats. Nothing about Jersey is authentic. Maybe the Italians, but that’s about it.
Jackasaurous_Rex@reddit
Lmao bro I think we live VERY different lives, everything you mentioned isn’t on the top 100 things I’d think of for the state’s culture, it’s mostly just chill suburban towns.
is our rap and club scene inauthentic? No fucking clue man what even is an authentic club, I’m not gonna defend Jersey beats. Like yeah I’m sure our beats are ripped off from Brooklyn or some shit awe shucks yeah lemme get an everything bagel with
Embarrassed-Base-143@reddit
I think every one lives VERY different lives, lmaooo only if I had to guess tho😂😂. And if I also had to take another shot in the dark most people aren’t using YOUR top 100 things to do in NJ,
Aren’t most states just chill suburban towns? You might have like 2 maybe 3 major cities. I feel like we’re just naming random cliches lmao. And I’m not ngl. NJ had a good run in the music scene so the fact that you’re clueless has me scratching my head lmao ngl. I know nothing about Kentucky besides basketball and their chicken lol and nothing about that bagel reference but. Yea man, that’s about it. Have the day you deserve bro. 😎
xoBonesxo@reddit (OP)
lol you have obviously no idea about Jersey culture.
Embarrassed-Base-143@reddit
It’s literally right there 😂
Jackasaurous_Rex@reddit
I’m so quick to complain about New Jersey but if someone from some shithole state(the other 49 in this context) starts talking shit about MY New Jersey, the gloves are off lol.
I’m half joking, but like NJ is actually pretty great yet has an insanely bad reputation based on some misguided pop culture garbage(an ounce of truth). My leading theories: - Jokes from New Yorkers who’ve never been past Hoboken(the next town over) - The Jersey Shore show, featuring the trashiest New Yorkers visiting our trashiest beach town( I live Seaside lol). - MANY NYC tourist’s complete NJ experience is flying into Newark airport then taking a quick train or taxi into NYC. This 10 minute drive is through an industrial swamp across from NYC
So what does NJ have? - Consistently tying for top in public education - great healthcare overall - Most of the state is just small cities outside Philly and NYC and they gradually blur into more suburban towns across the whole state. Generally all really nice towns with good services and quality of life - You’re never far from anything. Anywhere in the state you’re roughly 0-2 hours from Philly, NYC, surprisingly nice nature, okay-ish skiing and the BEACH BABY. We love the Jersey shore there’s a million nice beach towns and a damn good quality beach. - Super diverse and amazing food culture. Most small towns have a great variety on their own and you’re never far from any ethnic food around. - speaking of food, we’ve got a generally higher standard of food in my experience. Also pizza and bagels galore. My random small town has legit 5 non-chain pizzerias and 3 amazing bagel shops and that’s the norm. - a unique culture and experience in a lot of small ways that makes New Jerseyans feel like New Jerseyans
It’s mostly just expensive as hell and there’s too much traffic and it’s a tiny bit gross and swamp-smelling outside NYC.
TLDR: NJ is arguably one of the best states by a ton of metrics and for a little guy, we’re kind of a cultural and economic powerhouse. So there’s a lot to be into, but we constantly get crapped on so for me personally, that doubles down the pride a bit for me haha. Partially cause I’m just across in PA now so I’m playing defense when these Quaker-Amish-bush-people start talking smack. All in good fun haha
TheJokersChild@reddit
This is the part of NJ that everyone skips over. And it's a real shame. It's the part I'm from, and I'm proud of it. Once Rt. 46 turns into a 2-lane road just past Hackettstown, or really once you're down the hill from Budd Lake, it's a whole different place. The Victorian houses and Mayberry charm of Belvidere, the Land Of Make Believe and Jenny Jump Forest in Hope...then you get into Hunterdon County, where NJ truly is the Garden State. It's the best part of Jersey to be from.
karituba@reddit
Hot Dog Johnny’s … but I do miss the frosted mugs
TheJokersChild@reddit
My childhood would not be complete without it.
cuntmagistrate@reddit
I currently live in Colorado and I tell people New Jersey is STILL one of the most beautiful states I've ever seen. I'm from Central and the forests are just gorgeous.
nylondragon64@reddit
Yeah because no one else will.
Nodeal_reddit@reddit
We had this older lady in my work team from NJ and she was insufferable.
Ok_Stop7366@reddit
New Jersey is awesome, that said those guinea wops can get bent.
Argo505@reddit
…what the fuck
Ok_Stop7366@reddit
If you can’t find the humor there, you’re not meant for the east coast.
Argo505@reddit
The humor on racial slurs?
elocin1985@reddit
I was born in Morris County, that’s where my mom grew up. I grew up in Upstate NY and still live there. But my mom moved back to NJ and now lives in Sussex County.
As far as what OP said in their post, my mom is definitely one of those Jersey pride people. “I’m a Jersey Girl” kind of attitudes.
Tommy_Wisseau_burner@reddit
MoCo brethren. How be ye?
theflamingskull@reddit
Daniel LaRusso and his mother left New Jersey to move to a shithole in The Valley. That says something.
xoBonesxo@reddit (OP)
Daniel Larusso always says JERSEY STRONG when he’s doing karate lol
theflamingskull@reddit
He wasn't saying that in 1984.
xoBonesxo@reddit (OP)
He still says it , he’s a proud jersey boy
MyCatWasRightAbout@reddit
I've lived here my whole life, and I've thought about where else I'd want to live in the US, and no where else comes to mind. I've visited many other states and they're cool for a bit, but there's no place like home.
And Central Jersey 100% exists.
GreatestState@reddit
It’s transitioning from the stereotypical blue-collar, shitty intellect “yo I’m from juh-zee” personality New Jersey is famous for - the shit we all think of when we picture a New Jersey guy. I think that time has mostly passed, and now it’s mostly Woke. The Woke naturally hate their country, of course, that’s completely normal. The people you’re talking about will eventually become assimilated, castrate themselves, and hate the State of New Jersey also.
PhilosophyBitter7875@reddit
Because the rest of the country is dumb, Jersey has more scientists per square mile than any other state.
Kielbasa_Nunchucka@reddit
the less you have, the harder you fight for it lol
largos7289@reddit
We got good pork roll. I don't get the hype but evidently it's a Jersey thing ooo that and bagels. I don't particularly care for jersey myself because it's just took f**k'n crowded, the cost of living is high and it's politics are corrupt. SOBs can't even back out of your driveway without greas'n someone's palm.
The good well we gots a wide variety of food out here. Pizza is maybe second to Brooklyn and that's highly debatable. You have strip malls that have nails, a bank and a pizza place or it's not a strip mall. Some shore spots are better then others. Stay away from Sleezeside there's a reason why it's called that. All the NY'er go there and it's a pit of crap. I do miss that midway cheese steak place thou, right on the boardwalk. Best of the worst cheese steaks you'll ever have. LBI is nice, i like Wildwood because of Curley's fries. Get your self a bucket with cheese and it's a night.
Dry_Finger_8235@reddit
I'm not from NJ but have lived here for 13 years now. My job had me driving all over the state and it's pretty beautiful, but people have no idea.
When I first moved up here from New Orleans ( which gets a lot of hate from the rest of Louisiana) I was in Hoboken. An older guy I knew from my neighborhood bar in New Orleans that I was crazy moving to Hoboken. He hadn't been there since the late 80s, it was 2006 when I moved.
Now I'm in Asbury Park, two blocks from the ocean. Love it here.
But people like to shit on NJ, just like new Orleans you either get it or you don't.
therealdrewder@reddit
Why shouldn't they be proud. You think you're better than them?
chrikey_penis@reddit
Because the food is the best and also the traffic keeps your heart going.
firesquasher@reddit
I would say that a lot of people from NJ bitch about living in NJ, but would never move because of everything NJ has to offer. Unless youre and outsider trying to shit on our state that is. Might get catch a stray if it's you talking shit about NJ and not us.
P00PooKitty@reddit
Basically the whole northeast will fight you if you shit talk their city or state.
_pamelab@reddit
Back in grade school we got a new kid in the middle of the year. She was introducing herself and said “I’m from New Jersey. I know what people say about it and it’s mostly not true.” Cue 25 Illinois 5th graders that had no idea what on Earth she was talking about.
ArcaneConjecture@reddit
Jersey gets more hate *because* it's actually nice. I will rag on Jersey all day because in the end, it's just lighthearted sarcasm. Roasting on (fer instance) Mississippi is just being cruel and "punching down".
We can make jokes about the high property taxes, but at the end of the day, NJ has an economy that can afford those taxes and the people still have enough disposable income to purchase that Godawful leather clothing and those tacky gold chains.
us287@reddit
I’m assuming it’s just because they love the place they call home.
Y’all have a promising season ahead, especially after y’all got Dadonov today.
johnwcowan@reddit
Actually it's two real things, North and South.
us287@reddit
That is true. Possibly three, depending on whether you believe Central Jersey exists.
Peace_Turtle@reddit
No, it's two.
Tommy_Wisseau_burner@reddit
3; north, south, and those delusional people who think central jersey exists lol
Beth_Pleasant@reddit
I love that there are 3 comments all disagreeing about the existence of "central" jersey. It's definitely a thing (that does not exist).
RedSolez@reddit
It's 3 things cause some of us are from Central Jersey which is distinct from North and South Jersey
ArcaneConjecture@reddit
They love their state so much that they drive nice and slow, so they can better enjoy the view. Trouble is, they do this in the left hand lane...
PutAForkInHim@reddit
Being next door to a premier global city like NYC made them scrappier.
DoTheRightThing1953@reddit
It's absurd to be proud of where you're from regardless of where you're from. It's something that you had no control over. It is not something you accomplished.
SteveArnoldHorshak@reddit
Overcompensation.
Uhmattbravo@reddit
I grew up in north Jersey. I'm not necessarily proud, but I'm definitely not ashamed either. It's just a fact.
People are always confused why I don't pronounce it Joizy though....
Karamist623@reddit
I like living in Jersey. You have the beach and are close enough to large cities to do day trips.
I was told the other day that I preferred people just being blunt and saying what they need to instead of dancing around the subject, is a Jersey thing.
I wasn’t born in Jersey. I was an army brat, but I’ve been in Jersey over 30 years, longer than I’ve lived anywhere else.
Does that count?
Financial_Island2353@reddit
It’s kinda similar to being proud of being from somewhere like Mississippi. They get looked down on/tossed aside because of its proximity to NYC so they developed a sense of pride out of shared experience. Source one of my best friends from college is from Jersey lol
TheProletariatPoet@reddit
I hate to break it to you, but it’s nothing like being from Mississippi. NJ is at the tops of almost all the metrics, Mississippi is at the bottom of all of them.
Financial_Island2353@reddit
Yawn. That's not what I was saying. I was saying its similar because of the way the states get viewed in relation to others. Jersey gets ignored because of the cities its close to and the Jersey shore stereotype. MS gets ignored for a multitude of reasons.
ReplyDifficult3985@reddit
Cause jersey is awesome in many ways. Only places that have cooler shore towns are california and florida. We are both densely packed and have alot or natural beauty all within a short drive. We are close to the capitol of the world (nyc) and one of America's best most underrated cities (philly) both of which you can easily take public transit to. Very diverse population. Progressive politics for the most part but not crazy like CA. Most of our suburbs (especially in north jersey) and small towns were built before the automobile so they are walkable with main streets and local comercial districts and aren't wastelands of Walmart and housing developments with no sidewalks like most of the south/southwest. Great public transit especially close to NYC. Top notch schools. Pizza enough said. Depending in where you live in north jersey you dont even need a car. The cons are high cost of living, our cities have improved an immense amount since the 90s but can still be rough and traffic is bad, our gun laws SUCK! But traffic is bad in places like Houston and atl too and they don't have half the shit we have. My childhood in urban NJ was the best. NYC was my backyard. I didn't need a car and there was always something to do. Even though my job has taken me else where I know one day I'll be back. Im NJ till the casket drop
pcoppi@reddit
Honestly my impression of NJ traffic is that its a bit out of hand and many of the roads (route 1) are completely overbuilt and need to be replaced by trains/busses.
That said I've always been impressed with how much NJ has built up and how many apartment developments there are. The buses also seemed pretty extensive and there are actually sidewalks.
TillPsychological351@reddit
I'll take the Jersey Shore over Florida or California beaches any day during the summer.
ReplyDifficult3985@reddit
Same, I was just expecting an avalanche of but hurt florida and CA residents to chime in so I gave them a shout out cause they do have some good beach towns. Now myrtle beach or Virginia beach....miss me with that. Absolutely mid and the fact that myrtle beach is such a destination blows my mind Absolutely cant hold a candle to the Jersey Shore.
SkiingAway@reddit
Eh it's like overgrown Seaside or Wildwood. There's a place for cheap and kind of trashy.
SC has some much, much nicer beaches to visit than there, IMO.
Beth_Pleasant@reddit
No one in my family lives in Jersey anymore, but we kept our beach house. We all still visit every summer. It's a great meeting place now that we are all adults and have our own families. My sister's kids spend the majority of their summer at the beach and it's great for them.
TillPsychological351@reddit
I live in New England, yet I'm typing this from Ocean City, so that probably shows my biases.
California has a gorgeous coast, but the water is mostly too cold to swim.
Florida is too damn hot for half the year, the beach towns are all car-dependent, high-rise condos dominate, and the water gets so warm that it doesn't even give you a respite from the heat. Plus, the "sand" on many of the beaches is like crushed shells and it almost takes a power hose to wash off.
I'll take the mild temperatures, fine sand, boardwalks, walkable and bike-friendly infrastructure of the Jersey Shore towns anyday.
Caveat- I do like Destin and Sanibel Island. I would tkae those during the times if the year when it's too cold for New Jersey.
valoremz@reddit
Where are the northern NJ places that don’t require cars,”?
ReplyDifficult3985@reddit
With the exception of secaucus, you could live without a car in almost the entirety of hudson county and a decent chunk of essex and some of bergen county.Jersey city is either #2 or 3 in terms of cities percentage of people who dont own cars something like 45% and newark is in the top 5 with paterson in the top 10. Even in SOME burbs that are centered around a NJ transit train station its possible to survive without a car (Rutherford for example) i lived in bayonne before moving to the DMV didn't get my driver's license till I was 30. If you work in the city driving is even less necessary.
ExhaustedByStupidity@reddit
New Jersey is the most densely populated state. It's small, but it's got a ton of people. Despite all the crap New Jersey gets from other states, the people living there really, really like it.
You've got really good education systems and tend to have a lot of public services. The taxes are high, but you get a ton of benefit from it. You've got NYC and Philly right nearby if you want them, but not in the state, so you don't directly have the downsides of big cities.
We're in a pretty nice climate area. Yeah, you get some 100 degree days in summer and the occasional bad storm in the winter. But that's as bad as it gets. It's rare to get a hurricane or earthquake and they're almost never significant.
And damn do we have amazing pizza.
valoremz@reddit
Is NJ any different than weather in the northeast tho? I assume it’s the exact same as NYC weather right? And nearly the same as Philly or Boston?
ExhaustedByStupidity@reddit
Boston gets way, way worse winters than NJ does. You get a lot more snow in the New England area.
NYC tends to be hotter in the summer because it's almost all pavement, and also from all those subway cars venting heat up into the streeets.
I'm not familiar enough with Philly to say.
TillPsychological351@reddit
Philly is a concrete heat sink in the summer as well.
TillPsychological351@reddit
The shore towns are generally 5-20° cooler than NYC or Philly in the summer, so they offer an easy escape from the heat. And unlike further south, dipping in the ocean doesn't feel like warm bath water.
HairToTheMonado@reddit
We kinda get caught in the middle, in more ways than one. We get storms, but not as bad as SC does. We get snow, but as bad as Boston (or MA in general) would get.
Realistic_Complex539@reddit
I'll talk shit on Jersey, but I'll defend the hell out of it if someone not from there does the same, especially when they've never stepped foot in the state.
Jefffahfffah@reddit
I lived there for around 7 years and didn't really pick up on that sense of pride. However, if I had to guess, I'd say that it stems from the state having a lot of entertainment and natural resources, and the residents bring proud of what the state has to offer, despite all the hate that jersey gets from outsiders.
I have never found another area with so many niche and high-end shops that are geared toward every hobby and interest that I can imagine. Plus, despite NJ being called dirty or trashy but many people, there is pretty good access to beaches, hiking, etc.
SkiingAway@reddit
Densest state and second wealthiest by median income. It enables a lot of things you don't see so commonly elsewhere.
TheMuffler42069@reddit
Many places in the US don’t have four seasons. NJ does. Living through 100 plus degree summers and then frigidly cold winters makes people different. The national shit talking about Jersey is projection and deflection. The other states wish they could have what we have. Surrounded by the nations capitol, the largest metropolitan area in the country, and then we have Philadelphia. We have a super robust military presence in NJ. Lots and lots of military. We have coast lines with somewhat useable beaches. We have high speed rail public transport. We have among the most extensive public transport in the country. Also we all have cars. We have a lot of options here. I could eat good food from almost anywhere in the world within a 30 minute drive in NJ, then we could just go to Manhattan if we want. We have beautiful and historic forests surrounded by beautiful historic suburbs with some of the oldest and most beautiful homes in the country. We also have a massive Hindu temple supposedly made by slaves… so there are some interesting and controversial things as well. The only thing we don’t have is a desert unless you count the Pine Barrens or food deserts.
TheLizardKing89@reddit
They’re too dumb to figure out how to pump gas so they have to overcompensate. I’m only mostly joking.
MonsieurRuffles@reddit
No, we’re smart enough to not want to stand out in the winter cold, snow, driving rain, or summer heat and humidity to pump our gas.
TheLizardKing89@reddit
Do you pay someone to wipe your ass too?
MonsieurRuffles@reddit
Wait, you Neanderthals in CA haven’t heard of bidets? Besides we pay 30% less to get our ass wipes included.
Average price of regular gas in NJ: $3.15
Average price of regular gas in CA: $4.57
WhichSpirit@reddit
Seriously. The worst part of getting an EV is having to plug it in myself. I almost miss gas stations.
NomadLexicon@reddit
The law makes no sense but it’s become internalized as a Jersey identity thing now.
bubba1834@reddit
Jersey is awesome
ZenghisZan@reddit
It’s just an awesome state. Great economy, healthcare, education, you name it. It’s one of the smartest, wealthiest, and hardest working states in the country. It’s got surprisingly great nature, incredibly fun, colorful people, and some of the best food EVER. In many ways, it is way more emblematic of NYC/Philly than New York State and Pennsylvania are, respectively. However, because it’s its own state, it developed a niche identity heavily influenced by, yet distinct from those two cities. Jersey also has some of the best small towns ever that are surprisingly urban and walkable in their downtowns. Weather isnt anything special, but it’s never really horrific either.
Despite being so awesome on paper (and in reality), New Jersey gets shat on by mainstream media a ton, largely because of its relationship to NYC, which basically influences the national media. I think that really leads to people from Jersey ‘doubling down’ on their love for the state.
Beyond anything, i just think the people here are awesome. They’re outgoing, unique, and genuinely good people when they aren’t raging out lol.
For me, one minor thing that gives me a lot of NJ pride is our pizza and bagels - not just because they are incredible, but because the rest of the country (and the world) only associates that stuff with NYC. And again, because NYC is the cultural anchor of the US, pizza and bagels can be found throughout the whole country (just not nearly as good). So everyone from Ohio or wherever the fuck still eats bagels and pizza, and talks and dreams about how much better they were when they visited NYC, while completely overlooking Jersey. And not to sound corny, but pizza and bagels (and diners + delis as well) are a major cultural part of the state in a way that is unique. For example, my school never had that shitty square pizza on Fridays - we had pizza delivered by a local pizzeria - stuff like that. It’s like BBQ down south or seafood in New England. So yeah, NJ certainly is quirky and far from perfect, but I love it. You really get the best of everything here.
valoremz@reddit
Can you share the urban walkable suburbs you mentioned that don’t require a car?
TillPsychological351@reddit
Not really suburbs, but in many of the shore towns, you can go days without needing to use a car. Most are very bike friendly too.
ZenghisZan@reddit
First off, I never mentioned anything about not needing a car. There are like only three places in the entire country where you completely don’t need a car. You definitely NEED a car for daily life in basically most places in NJ (and the country for that matter), maybe besides Jersey City and Hoboken. But a few examples of communities with walkable downtowns in NJ where you can just park you care and forget about it for the day are Montclair, Madison, Maplewood, Summit, Westfield, Morristown, Somerville, Haddonfield, Princeton, Red Bank, Collingswood, Cranford, Closter, and Booton.
Interestingly enough, NJ is in my ways where the first suburban community was ‘invented’, by a dude named Llewellyn Haskell who created Llewellyn Park in West Orange. Because of it’s unique location in between NYC and Philly, NJ was also where the streetcar suburb really took off.
Pure_water_87@reddit
I've never heard this before honestly, but I imagine it would be because New Jersey is consistently ranked very high in things like education, household income, quality of life, etc.
problyurdad_@reddit
Which is crazy because it catches a lot of shit too. From Pennsylvania and New York. I hear more people bitch about Camden and Newark than I do folks bragging about quality of life situations.
TheProletariatPoet@reddit
It’s crazy that PA and NY shit on Jersey yet the vast majority of people from there choose to spend their vacations in Jersey
PacSan300@reddit
I first heard about this bit in Billy Joel’s “Allentown”, which has a lyric that goes, “Spent their weekends on the Jersey Shore”.
TillPsychological351@reddit
"Shoobies"...
TillPsychological351@reddit
I think "vast majority" is stretching it, but NJ being the most common vacation destination for PA residents is more likely.
TheProletariatPoet@reddit
That’s fair. After all, there’s a town in PA even named Jersey Shore, PA
LeaveOk392@reddit
LOL WHAT.
I can't speak for NY but I will tell you most certainly NJ as a destination for PA residents on vacation has to be a very very very small fraction.
I don't know a single person from PA that doesn't think Jersey is a shit hole.
The people are rude and terrible drivers, probably the worst drivers out of any state I've driven in. The accent makes every jersey resident sound like some sister fucking inbred. And to top it off, people I've met from Northern Jersey like to claim they are from NYC for some weird reason, either to try and impress or maybe just embarrassed to be from that state.
Anytime I'm on the interstate and some fuckwit is going 10 under in the left lane, it's more likely than not a NJ plate.
TheProletariatPoet@reddit
This guy has never been to NJ but likes to say he’s been there. Go to any shore town in the summer and then get back to me about how no PA people like NJ. Until then, be quiet about things you know nothing about
MattinglyDineen@reddit
As someone from Connecticut who has vacationed in Wildwood three times it’s clear that there nearly everyone seems to be from Pennsylvania.
Money-Recording4445@reddit
From MD originally, grew up w people shitting on NJ.
Now live in suburbs, Chester County, PA.
Have zero clue why people give NJ crap. It looks so similar to PA for the most part, people are similar as well.
The only difference I see is they have more of the right turn to UTurn setups.
I think the only negative is Jets, Giants being so bad recently.
clocksteadytickin@reddit
Vast majority is used pretty loosely here.
Pure_water_87@reddit
It's natural for neighbors to hate on each other I suppose. New Jerseyans immediately blame New York and Pennsylvania drivers when they see someone driving like shit lol. Before I moved here I also thought NJ was super industrial and just one big factory. Turns out there's tons of greenery and nature. A few days ago I was up early enough to see about 8 deer walking down the sidewalk of my neighborhood. New Jersey is cool.
therealjerseytom@reddit
New Yorkers love to bitch about how NJ sucks.
And yet, every weekend in the summer, its New Yorkers flocking south to the Jersey Shore, not the other way around.
courtd93@reddit
Sure, but if you do it from Philly, you don’t have to pay a toll to go but you’ll happily pay the toll to be able to leave 😂
Angsty_Potatos@reddit
Pennsylvanians and New Yorkers complain about new Jersey like I complain about my little brother
Fyaal@reddit
Camden has a pop of 71k. Newark is like 350k. In a state of 9.5 million.
Complaining about Camden is like complaining about Rupert, Idaho.
cs_broke_dude@reddit
Jersey is known for its beautiful vibrant parking lots, highways, tolls, and car dependency. Jersey folks should be very proud. The state has a lot of potential and it will never reach it.
TheJokersChild@reddit
Maybe you should reach west of Rt. 287.
Older_cyclist@reddit
I was born there, I’m not proud.
CPLCraft@reddit
It’s a Jersey thing.
justamom2224@reddit
It’s a Jersey thing
bonerland11@reddit
Why is everyone in NYC so angry? Because the light at the end of the tunnel is jersey.
AVDLatex@reddit
Exactly
Icy-Whale-2253@reddit
If I started rattling off some of the famous people and who and inventions that came from New Jersey, it wouldn’t be hard to understand.
TillPsychological351@reddit
Just name the rest stops. Vince Lombardi! Thomas Edison! Bon Jovi! Judy Blume! Celia Cruz! Frank Sinatra! Bruce Willis!
Raelf64@reddit
NJ has its troubles, but it's the only place I've ever lived that actually has everything you could want within an hour's drive... mountains? Go west. Beach? Go east. City? Go north. Country? Go south. And the food diversity and quality are un-matched.
I live in the South now and envy things like consistent power, water, and sewer, municipal trash pickup, street cleaning, road maintenance, vehicle services... It's just an overall higher standard of living.
That comes at a hefty price, but it basically balances out when you have to pay for these things yourself, either in cash or inconvenience.
La_Rata_de_Pizza@reddit
Because I’m just a fat fuckin’ crook from New Jersey
Skindigga@reddit
Because we just love it. I live in a beautiful area, have great food at mostly any small place that isn’t a chain, fantastic vegetables… Every time I have left here I can’t wait to get back.
Own_Alarm_3935@reddit
Must be an ego thing coz they all drive like they’re the most important person on the planet
BalrogRuthenburg11@reddit
It’s a Jersey thing.
Regular_Marzipan6995@reddit
We don't brag/talk it up because we don't want more people here. Shhhh!
FuckItImVanilla@reddit
Tribalism
tragicsandwichblogs@reddit
Because it’s the fucking best.
PussyFoot2000@reddit
"They usually say they don't take pride in being American.."
Knock it off.
Phil_ODendron@reddit
I've never once heard anyone say this. Most people here are proud to be American and also proud to be from NJ.
xoBonesxo@reddit (OP)
I’m saying from my own personal experience. The ones I met don’t really care about American pride, but will always say “I’m from Jersey”
Phil_ODendron@reddit
Ok, I'm also sharing my own personal experience of living here for 30 years. American pride and NJ pride go hand in hand.
xoBonesxo@reddit (OP)
They don’t, someone can be proud of one thing and not another
WWDB@reddit
I am a Pennsylvania but can tell you there’s a lot of things about New Jersey that are awesome:
Salem/Cumberland counties- Very rural with a lot of farmland
The Jersey Shore- 130+ of great beaches
Monmouth County- Lots of high end properties and the scenic Atlantic Highlands
Cape May- Highly sought out low-stress tourist attraction
New Jersey Pine Barrens- All but a tree covered desert on top of one of the worlds freshest aquifers just an hour from Philadelphia and 90 minutes from New York City.
4-Inch-Butthole-Club@reddit
Ime the shittier the state the more proud people are to be from it. Just look at Texas. They have great food and that’s about the only positive thing I can say about the place.
PipecleanerFanatic@reddit
The tomatoes.
PaleontologistNo2625@reddit
Yeah the thing is all the bad stereotypes are true to some degree in some places. What you don't hear is we have farms woods mountains great food tons of culture and educated people. Also we can handle conflict and work fast.
Jersey people are pretty cool aside from the guidos
ofthedappersort@reddit
Because the rest of the country pretty much categorically shits on New Jersey even though the vast majority have never been there and the few that have probably flew into Newark Airport and assumed the whole state was urban sprawl and wetlands based purely on what they could see from their airplane window.
T_Peg@reddit
Living up to their neighbors in New York is an impossible task. Not to mention they're one of the nation's punching bags.
Life_Smartly@reddit
Seems most people badmouth the people they meet from there.
wildfireonvenus@reddit
I love New Jersey. They grow the best produce.
JimfromMayberry@reddit
Depends on which expressway exit they live off of…
Constant-Security525@reddit
I'm a native born New Jerseyan and lived there most of my life (40+ years). NJ has a lot of great attributes.
I could go on and on!
Wooden-Astronaut8763@reddit
I did live in NJ for 7 months and honestly I almost always would hear about how they don’t like their state rather than the opposite.
But from the few residents there that love the state, they usually mention their love due to the state’s school ranking and not pumping their gas since it is illegal to do it there. They’re probably other things that play a factor as well, but those are the main two things that I can recall that are typically brought up.
Normie316@reddit
Let me tell you something I learned the hard way. You can smell New Jersey before you get there.
redditburner_5000@reddit
Scientists still don't know why.
New-Grapefruit1737@reddit
Pork roll, pizza, and beaches.
Angsty_Potatos@reddit
It's not just jersey.
It's an American thing to be very regional.
For example, I would die for my country, Philadelphia.
nor_cal_woolgrower@reddit
Its a beautiful state, the best place to spend the summer. We know this.
Babelwasaninsidejob@reddit
Jersey is a good time. Good food and easy laughs. They cant drive for shit but otherwise a great people. If you ever get invited to a backyard bbq in jersey go. Also jersey girls are fun, they can hang and give you shit, they've all got the personality of a girl with a cool older brother.
redtailedhawkish@reddit
It’s for us, stop asking questions.
jordanf1214@reddit
I feel like we’re like this in Massachusetts too. We’re all proud to be Massholes. I just assumed every state had state pride and a state identity
redditsuckshardnowtf@reddit
Survival bias
lonememe1298@reddit
I grew up in Jersey and moved away first chance I got. Now I live in Virginia and it's so much better
splanks@reddit
It’s the deep chip on our shoulders.
Otherwise-OhWell@reddit
David Letterman cared enough about NJ to joke about it, so I do too.
TrillyMike@reddit
Don’t even know how to pump they own gas smh
KingTechnical48@reddit
I don’t think New Jerysians are that prideful and I say this as someone from New Jersey. Barely anyone cares about the Devils here. Nowadays I think the only thing we’re known for is our club dancing.
RetroMetroShow@reddit
NJ has the property taxes, their beaches are giant ashtray litter boxes, the north smells like a sewer and they have the worst drivers in the US
NomadLexicon@reddit
Having lived in many states, South Florida drivers are the worst I’ve seen so far.
miseeker@reddit
I don’t know. They have the same mental problems as proud Ohioan?
BoltsGuy02@reddit
Drug addiction and alcoholism
Key_Figure9004@reddit
New Jersey has everything. Rich people, poor people, the shore, cities, gambling, mob connections, the boardwalk, countryside, fake baked trashy people from rich families who act like they’re from the hood, and Nonnas who make their own spaghetti sauce and slap their grandkids upside the head if they don’t take seconds. You can’t beat that.
opticalshadow@reddit
Jersey boy here.
Education was great, and higher education fairly easy to get. Going down to Florida and 12th grade still hasn't caught up to middle school up north.
Health system really strong of your poor or low income there is a ton of programs to get you taken care of at little to no cost.
Very local minded. I was just back where I grew up last October. Family owned places everywhere. Flower shops, restaurants, oddity shops. I could count on one hand how many times I noticed a chain fast food place, but just drive down one road and you can't count how many family owned places to eat their are.
Related to that, one of the things about leaving Jersey that was a shock to me, buying produce from a super market dont get me wrong,shop rite had that stuff, but on like every street corner in any town (at least South Jersey, anything north of Cherry Hill is another planet to me) there are farmers markets. Local farms, fresh produce, super cheap, always delicious. In fact many farms let you come pick your own baskets for a few bucks. My favorite Amish farmers market in Williamstown was still there, and thriving.
Lots of community participation. Entire neighborhood and towns participate in all the season celebrations, always had a lot of local community events.
There is a culture of people that live there, there is a fast and short way about communicating and existing, the rest of the country I've been to just seems stuck in show motion.
Institutions. Where I live now, very few places exist year to year, 5 years to 5 years. Going back home, the same places my parents and Grand parents went to, I still could. The diner we ate at some children 30 years ago? Still there. There is a real sense of home when the places you grew up with are there your whole life.
The weather. It won't make sense to everyone, but that gray, could or could not skip a jacket usual, is so comfortable.
Ranbru76@reddit
I kinda like New Jersey with its little townships. But I would never admit it because my SIL is from there and the family loves to tease him. He is a great sport.
CollenOHallahan@reddit
Because they are trying to show how awesome their state is compared to NYC. They can try, I guess.
xoBonesxo@reddit (OP)
lol they always say nyc smells and people from their move to Jersey which is a strong rebuttal
Appropriate-Data1144@reddit
NYC does smell, but I don't know anyone who has moved to Jersey from there. But I know a lot of people from Jersey who work in NYC.
ReplyDifficult3985@reddit
North jersey is insanely expensive cause of NYers. At one point they realized in the 90s that that you can be in Manhattan faster from jersey then alot of the outer boroughs and its been record breaking rent increases year after year.
Gabag000L@reddit
They just keep coming.....
No-Stretch-9230@reddit
Comparing an entire state to one city doesnt make sense.
Japspec@reddit
So then why the hell do you all insist on moving to PA if NJ is so great?
cmhoughton@reddit
I was born in New Jersey, but I’m not sure it’s all that remarkable a fact about me… It’s far more noteworthy that I’m a triplet.
BreakfastBeerz@reddit
"My girlfriend told me to kiss her where it stinks. So I drove her to New Jersey"
PablcoEscobarsChef@reddit
They’re all loud
Kazyctn@reddit
Because only the strong survive.
NitinTheAviator@reddit
It’s awesome here
dieselbp67@reddit
Love Jersey!
WiseCityStepper@reddit
only states i seen with real state pride be Texans and New Yorkers
xoBonesxo@reddit (OP)
You haven’t met a Jerseyan lol
WiseCityStepper@reddit
the other Jerseyan dude in this sub said the same tho
BoSKnight87@reddit
I love it here. I’ve been to many states and had great times, but I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Also I never want to pump my own gas again
carmelainparis@reddit
It’s “Jersey Boy” or “Jersey Girl.” Other than that, your post nailed it.
Ok_Stop7366@reddit
Californians have a lot of pride, but that’s often city based. Floridians too to be honest
Worldly_Draw1656@reddit
They do it ironically.
amanbearmadeofsex@reddit
Danny DeVito
KiloFoxtrotCharlie15@reddit
If you crawled out of hell would you not be proud of that accomplishment?
yodellingllama_@reddit
Because fuck you.
bigsystem1@reddit
The common stereotype reduces the state to something that it isn’t, so there’s a reaction to that. It’s a strong identity despite being between two big metros. NJ is very diverse, educated, and open minded as well.
kodex1717@reddit
Jersey 's not proud. It's just loud.
erin_burr@reddit
We don't pump our gas, we pump our fists
ProfessionalDot8419@reddit
The motion picture industry began there.
EruditeTarington@reddit
If you can deal with that many highways, high tension wires, confusion with NY, James Gandolfini’s aura and so much culture but so much fucking traffic then you’d be proud of being from there too…even if your last name doesn’t end in a vowel…fuggedaboutit
obliqueoubliette@reddit
Because they are all trash people
-sincerely, a New Yorker
AnythingButWhiskey@reddit
The Italian side of my family is from “Joisey”. They have a very strong sense of community and family in that area, with a strong support group. They always seem to have large gatherings where everyone and their cousins (literally) is invited, and they keep up with who is doing what. They always have a sense of pride and happiness when they talk about growing up in that area.
Texas43647@reddit
No idea. I’ve only ever heard bad about the place lol.
WhichSpirit@reddit
We have the best public education system in the nation, we have the highest concentration of scientists and engineers in the world, we are the biggest donor state, we have great music, great athletes, great actors. Lots of be proud of, no matter what you're interested in.
Also, New Jersey has been shit on by our neighbors literally since we were founded since we were more of a working class colony. This only got worse throughout the 19th and 20th century because of xenophobia towards our large immigrant population (2 of the 3 ways off Ellis Island went to New Jersey). Now New York has built it into their culture and, because of their involvement in national entertainment, spread it across the country.
SgtHulkasBigToeJam@reddit
Sunk-cost fallacy. Can’t give up now.
VeterinarianProud644@reddit
I'm not.
Jazzvinyl59@reddit
I think being part of the New York and Philadelphia metro areas with those cities getting the name recognition fuels this somewhat.
shibby3388@reddit
They’re not allowed to pump their own gas.
tibearius1123@reddit
It’s a Jersey thing.
Santosp3@reddit
It's Jerseyite yes, not Jerseyans
AleroRatking@reddit
I think this is common for all the smaller states. They have less of an extreme divide within. I've seen similar with people from Connecticut New Hampshire and Vermont around me
Whereas the larger states have multiple drastically different cultures that often are not in agreement.
Visible_Noise1850@reddit
Ayyyyyeeeee!!
TsundereLoliDragon@reddit
It's mostly a nice state and gets unnecessarily shit on a lot so people take pride in it.
Gabag000L@reddit
No where else I'd rather be!
See ya down the shore this weekend for the 4th!
sanesociopath@reddit
I mean... it's just kinda natural for people to be proud of their home.
There's countless people who immigrated here from some objectively terrible countries but at the same time wouldn't miss an opportunity to praise it or are willing to fight you over trash talking it.
vuther_316@reddit
I live here and could not imagine being proud of this state
Pure_water_87@reddit
I can. I grew up in a poorer state but have lived in NJ for the last 15 years. The education system is so much better here. I have a son with special needs and the resources available to him in New Jersey are wonderful. These same resources are either scarce where I grew up or they are actively trying to take them away.
shelwood46@reddit
I lived in Central Jersey (Princeton area) for 35 years, it was fucking lovely. I'm in the Poconos now, about 10 miles from the border, pretty much all the same people here. It's fine. I gas up when I go visit my family on the other side of the river.
benificialart@reddit
I used to live there and yea. It’s hell hole.
OriginalDavid@reddit
But...the gardens...
Gabag000L@reddit
r/newjersey
billy310@reddit
Sounds like me and California
solomons-marbles@reddit
If you keep telling yourself the same lie over and over again, you’ll eventually believe it.
ballrus_walsack@reddit
New Jersey has some really nice places. New Jersey people are like the perennial younger brother to NYC and Philly. Mostly NYC.
ExistentialCrispies@reddit
Not all Jersey folk are die hard, it depends what exit they're from
FoolhardyBastard@reddit
The garden state is awesome! They should Be proud. Top of the pack in like every metric! Good folks doing good shit!
ZevVeli@reddit
It's Spite. People kept asking them if they were from New York, so they developed an intense pride in being New Jerseyan in response.
Spite is one of the biggest motivators for most of what Americans do TBH.
Rudytootiefreshnfty@reddit
Peak New Jersey was probably the 50s-early 2000s any day modern day Jersey or die folk probably is a nepo baby who can still afford to live there