Wildwood, located in southern New Jersey, is a very large resort town in the summer time, but sometimes people forget to realize that it has local residents in the off season too. The Wildwoods have been my home for the last 20 years and each year I find a new thing to love and hate. All the locals know each other, the best spots to eat, and places to hide when the town starts overflowing with "shoobies" from other states in the summer. These are just some of the ways you can tell you live on this little island and relate to the others around you.
1. You have argued with at least one other person about which part of town is best.
The Wildwoods are made up of four different parts, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, West Wildwood, and Wildwood. Each person has their own opinion of the best street and they will never back down no matter how long the argument may take.
2. You prepare for the island to shut down for the offseason.
Many people find it hard to believe that people actually live on the island from October to April but this is the best time for locals to have some peace and quiet away from tourists and the craziness of the summer months.
3. You say hi to almost everyone because you know them in some way.
The island is not very big and when you leave your house you're guaranteed to see at least one person you know if not more.
4. You know all the best restaurants.
Once summertime comes you know places like Sams, Duffers, and Dogtooth will be packed daily so you try to go as many times before people start arriving so you can avoid long waits and overly anxious people.
5. Tourists irritate you to no end.
(This is not myfamily.)
Whether you work in a tourist business or are just driving down the street it is almost guaranteed that you will become flustered by a "shoobie." These people believe that because they are on vacation nothing else matters, well let me give them a piece of my mind.
6. You probably own a beach cruiser.
There are no hills on the island so the need for a mountain bike is pointless. Having a beach cruiser is the best way to get around when the weather is nice and traffic is bad.
7. Work, Work, Work.
Once summer hits you don't have a life anymore. Your friends begin to yell at you because you only see them once every two weeks but you can't help that it gets so busy.
8. The beach is like a sanctuary to you.
It could be 30 degrees and you would still find me sitting on the beach. Listening to the waves crash and feeling the sand is so relaxing and it is the first thing I look for on a bad day.
9. You cringe when people say "down the shore."
You're going to the beach, it's that simple.
10. Having to pick the closest towns when you're telling people where you're from.
Although the Wildwoods are familiar to some people many others don't know the Southern end of New Jersey that well so when you're out of state you find yourself explaining that you live "right next to Cape May" most of the time.
