As someone who has spent most of my life on the East Coast, but has also spent time living in the Midwest, there are definitely some big regional differences. Here are a few:

1. Lingo

New Englanders definitely have a distinct accent, while a Midwestern one is completely different. Of course, this also differs state-to-state slightly. While New Englanders tend to leave out their “r’s”, Ohioans pronounce their “a’s” the long way. Additionally, some phrases are different. I got made fun of for saying ‘wicked’ in the Midwest.

2. Food

New England food is full of fresh seafood, Irish dishes, and blueberries. Some traditional Ohio dishes are chili, sauerkraut, and other Polish dishes. Additionally, if you used to live in the Midwest and now you are on the East Coast, there is a chance you seriously miss Jimmy John’s. Likewise, the Midwest has a serious lack of Dunkin Donuts.

3. Sports

This one is obvious. However, while New England loves their Boston teams, Ohio, while they are sports fanatics of every team, especially love Ohio State. Nothing even remotely resembles this college football craze in New England.

4. Landscape

This one is also obvious, but I might be biased in saying that I prefer New England’s beauty to Ohio's. Lake Erie has its moments but it is generally unsanitary to swim in. Nothing beats the Atlantic Ocean in the summer time. Additionally, New England has far more mountains, ski slopes, and hiking trails, although Cuyahoga Valley National Park is beautiful in the fall, and Ohio has a landscape full of farms.

5. Amusement parks

Ohio definitely wins this one. They have Kings Island, Cedar Point, Six Flags, etc. New England has…Six Flags.

While they may have their regional differences, they aren’t too different after all. Both regions are passionate about sports teams, their food, their way of life and sayings, and are deeply rooted in history and culture.