I spent the first eighteen years of my life living in northwest Pennsylvania in a small town about thirty miles outside the city of Erie. Three years ago I decided to attend college in the other corner of the state, southeast Pennsylvania. While both places have their pros and cons, they both have many differences that make each region unique.

1. Water vs. Wooder

Ah, yes, the age old way to know which side of the state you're from. I grew up pronouncing it wah-der and it still sounds funny when I hear people say wood-er.

2. Sub vs. Hoagie

This won't cause you to get into too many arguments, but it's still a difference. Northwest Pennsylvanians will call any long sandwich a sub, while those from the southeast call it a hoagie.

3. Sheetz vs. Wawa

The ultimate debate: which is better? I, personally, prefer Sheetz, but Wawa does have some great food too!

4. Steelers vs. Eagles

Since Erie doesn't have a football team, we often get lumped in with the Pittsburgh fans. In northwest PA, if you don't like the Steelers you're the minority. Same goes for the Eagles in southeast PA.

5. The weather

Northwest PA is famous for its lake effect snowfall. In southeast PA, not so much. That is the one thing I don't miss about living in northwest PA. The weather overall in southeast PA is much more mild.

6. The diversity

There are small pockets of diversity in northwest PA. This is especially evident during the summer when there are festivals in the city of Erie celebrating different cultures. In southeast PA, Philadelphia is home to a wide range of diversity and its influence shows in the surrounding areas.

7. Summer plans

In northwest PA, in the summer most people go to Presque Isle. It's simply called going to the beach. In southeast PA, people go "down the shore" to Atlantic City or other boardwalks along the ocean.

8. Number of malls

In northwest PA, there is one major mall, the Millcreek Mall. There are several smaller groups of stores in the area, but they aren't really considered malls. In southeast PA, you can pretty much drive twenty minutes in any direction and you'll end up at a mall. Although there are many of the same stores in these malls, you can't beat the convenience.

9. Traffic

In northwest PA, there is rush hour traffic on I-90, but it's mild compared to the traffic in southeast PA. You turn on the radio and you can hear a three to five minute long traffic report for the city. Good luck driving in four lane, bumper-to-bumper traffic!

10. Land and nature opportunities

In northwest PA, the population is not so dense. There are a lot of open spaces and Presque Isle provides many nature opportunities. In southeast PA, you have to drive a little farther to get to parks and nature trails, but it's just as beautiful to go hiking.

11. The food specialties

Northwest PA has Smith's hotdogs, Romolo's sponge candy and Stanganelli's pepperoni balls. Southeast PA has Philly cheese steaks, the best soft pretzels and water ice(Italian ice), and Irish potato candies.

Each region of Pennsylvania is truly unique, and I'm very glad I've had the opportunity to experience both!