Here’s a pop quiz: What do Bruce Springsteen, beautiful beaches, and the best bagel you’ll ever eat all have in common? If you guessed New Jersey, congrats, you were right! Unless you have spent a considerable amount of time living in the wonderful state of New Jersey, the only perception you have of it is probably the one painted for you by the embarrassing TV show "Jersey Shore."
I was born in Jersey and lived there for 10 years until my parents decided we were off to live in (the equally wonderful state) California. That is where I quickly learned that the rest of the country does not think as highly of our little Garden State as us natives. And the rest of the country, I’m sorry, is horribly mistaken. You know what they say: You can take the girl outta Jersey, but you can’t take Jersey out of the girl, and this girl loves Jersey to the core.
After years and years of endlessly telling people, “No, it’s not pronounced Joisey,” “No, I’m not related to Snooki just because I’m 5'1" and Italian,” and “No, the place called ‘New York Pizza’ in San Francisco is not just like real East Coast pizza,” I think it’s time I shed some light on all of the great things New Jersey has to offer the world.
1.The food
The diners, the bagels, the pizza, the Taylor Ham egg and cheese sandwiches. What’s not to love? New York thinks they have the best bagel, and I truly hate to break it to them, but they are wrong. You will never have a bagel more satisfying than one straight out of North Jersey. Throw an egg, Taylor Ham, and cheese on that bagel? Fahgettaboudit! Heaven on earth.
2.The people
Jersey people are the best people. Nowhere else can you find people that can eat at the same
3. ... Especially the famous people
For such a small state, we sure have a lot of talent. Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep, Whitney Houston, and John Travolta are all from Jersey! Oh, and let's not forget about Frank Sinatra! Some of the country’s most beloved actresses, actors, and singers come straight out of New Jersey, and every one of them is damn proud. Come on, there’s no one out there who doesn’t get excited when Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer” starts playing.
4. The location
Feeling a ski weekend? How about a trip to the Shore? Maybe you’re dying to frolic around the Big Apple or dive head first into a huge Philly cheesesteak. Well, my friends, all of these are daily possibilities for the residents of the perfectly located state of New Jersey. One perk of being such a small state is that it is never a far drive, train trip, or bus ride to New York, the Shore, the mountains, Philly, or basically anywhere else on the East Coast. Can you say endless weekend adventures?
5. The shore
For the first 10 years of my life, the words “I’m going to the beach” never came out of my mouth. In New Jersey, you don’t go to the beach, you go “down the shore.” And over the summer, that’s just what the entire state does. Whether Seaside, Point Pleasant, or Wildwood is your beach and boardwalk of choice, you are guaranteed to always have a good time on the beautiful Jersey Shore.
6.The Jersey pride
So what is it that makes Jersey, Jersey? Sure, it wouldn't be the same without the food, the beaches, the convenient location, the attitudes, or the scenery. But there is nothing that is more Jersey than Jersey pride. And that’s just how we are. Jersey isn’t a state, it’s a lifestyle, and chances are if we leave Jersey, we’re taking that lifestyle with us. After all, you can take a girl outta Jersey, but you can’t take Jersey out of the girl.
