Everyone has hometown pride, but residents of New Jersey seem to go that extra mile. We love living in New Jersey, and when people call us New York’s younger brother, it just gives us more pride. When I moved to Buffalo for college, I was surprised when people hadn’t heard of things like Wawa or Mischief night. North, south, or even central (because yes, central jersey exists), New Jersey is a wonderful state with both beautiful landscapes and progressing cities. If you hear someone mention these 15 things, they're probably from New Jersey.

1. "Jersey Shore"

When I went to Disney World on summer vacation, one of the workers asked me, “Why aren’t you tan? And where's your big hair?” He was half joking, and we're not all 2006 Snookis. That being said, there are some tan people with straightened black hair, expensive looking purses, and distinct NY accents . It’s not a frequent occurrence, and it's subtle, but there's some truth to the stereotype.

2. Bagels

New Jersey holds the title for best bagels, and anyone who says otherwise has never eaten a New Jersey bagel. They’re fluffier and bigger, which basically already proves my point.

3. Down the shore

People from New Jersey spend their summer days "down the shore." Whether Point Pleasant, Sandy Hook, A.C., or Wildwood, nothing is better than spending an entire day reading a great book on the beach, and spending the night walking the boardwalk.

4. The city

Apparently some people consider Philadelphia to be "the city." It can get confusing for people from different states, but for us, "the city" will always be New York City.

5. Wawa

California may have In N’ Out Burger, but it has nothing on Wawa. Only the east coast knows the joys of stocking up on snacks before a day at the beach or a night watching the sky in front of the lake with your closest friends.

6. The perfect spot

While New Jersey has some amazing spots of its own, we’re the perfect distance from everything. We can get to NYC, Phili, multiple beaches, and the Statue of Liberty all within a couple hours.

7. Diners

Every place technically has diners, but New Jersey has diners. There’s always somewhere to get dinner at 2 a.m. after a wild concert or high school prom.

8. New Jersey accent

Although I’ve never heard anyone (unironically) say “New Joisey,” most of us have at least remnants of an accent. While not as extreme as people think, most of us say “cawfee” or “wauter." I know you don’t want to admit it, but it’s there.

9. The BEST Music

New Jersey is home to the best bands, there’s no doubt about it. NJ raised The Front Bottoms, Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra, and The Jonas Brothers. Enough said.

10. Stopping for gas and waiting in your car.

Traveling across states is always a struggle in the beginning. Don’t judge us.

11. 6 Flags Great Adventure

We have Great Adventure, the best 6 Flags. It has the fire-y Bizzaro (with real fire), the classic El Toro (the steepest wooden roller coaster drop in the country), and of course, the tallest roller coaster in North America, Kingda Ka.

12. Mischief Night

When I went to college and no one knew about Mischief Night, the night before Halloween where people throw eggs at houses and cause havoc, I kind of felt like a jerk. I’ve never partaken in the antics, but knowing that our state has a night dedicated to vandalism is kind of funny.

13. "We hate you, too."

New Jersey has a reputation for rudeness and sarcasm, and there’s some truth to that. Most people are unbelievably kind, but I have seen people wear this shirt.

14. Hiking

We are The Garden State, and there are great places to hike and explore in New Jersey. There’s a forest right outside of my house, and I love hiking up mountains or strolling through Rutgers Garden. There are some great conversation centers, boating, and tons of trails.

15. Grounds for sculpture

Located in Hamilton, New Jersey, beautiful sculptures fill 42 acres of gorgeous scenery. There’s original artwork and beautiful recreations of famous paintings, and you can spend an entire day exploring and trying to find the hidden statues in the crevices of nature. When looking around, it’s hard to tell who are real people and who are statues. It is a must-go destination for everyone.