Differences Between Upstate NY And Long Island | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

10 Things An Honorary Long Islander Misses When They Go Back Upstate For The Holidays

Believe it or not, it's more than just the bagels.

159
Friends
Sarah Moyer

In This Article:

I was born and raised in Rochester, NY (about an hour below Canada) and spent 18 years there until leaving for college on Long Island. While it's teeechnically in the same state, sometimes it feels like an entirely different country. Nothing makes this more apparent than when it's time to go back Upstate for the holidays. Despite it only being my third year here, I feel like I've been given honorary Long Islander rights. Here are some of the things I miss the most when I leave one home for another.

1. The way y'all pronounce words

Nothing makes me happier than hearing someone say the word "Cawfee" or "Dawg." It's a whole lot prettier than the flat, nasally way we say things Upstate.

2. Bagels, duh

I think I'd get kicked off the island for not mentioning this early on. Up where I'm from, you get a bagel from a Dunkin (or Tim Hortons!) or a Brueggers. And that's just shameful to the name of bagels themselves.

3. I love snow, but driving in it is a no from me

I'm not nearly a good enough driver for icy streets and snowy turns. It snows on Long Island, sure, but it's nothing like Upstate.

4. There's a Trader Joe's like riiight there

Listen, I'm a Wegmans girl until I die, just like any native Upstater, but Trader Joe's is really, really cool. And they're few and far between up there.

5. The sounds

Cars on the street, sirens, so much out there in this big, beautiful world.

6. The lights

It's good to know there's so much life going on around me all the time.

7. You're never really alone because there are people eeeverywhere

It's so comforting.

8. Everyone is always in a rush and it's invigorating

I know people complain about this, and yes, the people Upstate are more conventionally polite and take the time to say things like "I'm sorry," and "Thank you," but the hustle and bustle of New Yorkers makes me feel alive.

9. I can get from a Target to a Taco Bell in like six minutes

I don't even live in the most rural part of Upstate but it still takes a hot minute to get from one necessity to the other.

10. Most importantly, the people

I don't know if it's related to the location or if I just got lucky, but there's no one in the world like the people I've met since moving here.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

351510
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

218891
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments