Living my whole life in New Jersey—just 20 miles outside New York City— I was constantly in the midst of the "hustle and bustle" of a metropolitan area, where everybody is in an infinite race against time. I sought to slow down the pace of my life upon moving to college and I recognized that Pennsylvania decelerated my lifestyle just how I had hoped.
However, I also experienced a sort of culture shock as I noticed some glaring differences between Pennsylvania and the Garden State—differences that give Pennsylvania its ultimate charm. Here are 10 things you come to realize when you move to Pennsylvania:
1. Everybody from Pennsylvania describes their home in relation to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Because there really is nothing in between, right? Except, of course, Happy Valley.
2. Or they describe their home by their county.
Many people say they live in Bucks County, Chester County, Erie County or Allegheny County. Then they ask me what county I'm from and I have to think for a minute.
3. The town names are, well, unconventional.
I often joke that many cross country runners live in Mile Run, Pennsylvania. I often joke that there is a Jersey Shore when the Jersey Shore is many miles east. I often joke that there is a town called Intercourse...for obvious reasons.
4. The uphills have no downhills.
It is truly some geographical phenomenon that whenever you walk somewhere in Pennsylvania, it is uphill both ways. Somehow that's possible.
5. There's the beloved aroma of farm animals.
Given the choice, I would prefer to smell the grazing cows than to inhale some of the stenches on city streets.
6. Colleges...colleges everywhere.
In the midst of all of the open farmland, Pennsylvania truly is a giant rectangle filled with colleges and universities. The major cities teem with colleges but many other schools are dispersed throughout the state.
7. The buggies.
Home to many Amish people, you know you're in Pennsylvania when you get caught behind a horse-drawn buggy on the road. And as you fall into this slower pace of life, you appreciate rolling behind one of these treasures found predominately in the Keystone State.
8. The ongoing debate between Sheetz and Wawa.
This argument about the superior grocery store can get pretty heated as those from eastern Pennsylvania fiercely defend Wawa while those out west are staunch advocates for Sheetz.
9. Everywhere you go, there's a picturesque view.
If there's any benefit to all of the uphill walks, there are some pretty spectacular views of farmland and mountains once you're at the top.
10. The "Penn State people" are deemed the crazy ones.
And, as the geographic dead center of Pennsylvania, they take tremendous pride in this title. WE ARE!
