This has been eating away at me since I started college in Springfield, MA. I never thought going to school only 1.5 hours off the ferry would be like entering a whole other world. Here's my warning to my fellow New Yorkers:
1. There's a language barrier.
I get looked at funny whenever I call it a chicken parm "hero" instead of a "grinder." Instead of calling it a "water fountain" where you fill up your water bottle or get a sip of water, they call it a "bubbler." They're going to try telling you that "the city" is Boston, but they are 100 percent wrong. This city will always be Manhattan. Apparently a "packie" isn't the UPS Store, it's a liquor store. Instead of saying "mad cool" or "mad annoying", they used "wicked" in every other sentence. They also don't know how to pronounce "Reeses". It's not "Ree-sees pee-cees" that's not even the correct way to say pieces!!
2. They'll make fun of your accent.
The first time you say "coffee" they'll call you out on being from New York. So what, we like to say "cawfee" and "dawg" but their accents aren't much better.
3. They know nothing about New York geography.
Nobody realizes Long Island is an actual island and I have to take a ferry to get to school. Half of them don't realize I can take my car on the ferry. Besides that, they don't even know the difference between Manhattan, Staten Island, the Bronx, Queens, or Brooklyn. They're even shocked when you tell them Manhattan is an island too.
4. They'll try to tell you they have good bagels and pizza. It's a lie.
Occasionally you'll find a decent pizza place in New England but it's nothing compared to New York. Where the slices are the size of your head, thin, $2, and you actually fold it in half before you eat it. They'll also try to tell you Dunkin has good bagels...they've obviously never been to a NY deli or bagel shop where BEC's are our specialty.
5. New York fans are scarce.
Being from New York, you're either a Giants or Jets fans. A Yankees or Mets fan. An Islanders or Rangers fan. Regardless of your preference, you always root for NY over New England. Stand your ground and show your New York pride (no matter how sexy Gronk or Tom Brady are).
6. People here are obsessed with Dunkin Donuts.
I think there are at least 8 Dunkins within a two-mile radius of my school. Half of your classmates will walk in with iced coffee from Dunkin no matter how cold it is outside. Apparently it's never too cold for iced coffee, they just put a hot cup around it.
7. Say goodbye to 7-11s and buying alcohol at gas stations or grocery stores.
7-11 was the place you could get any munchies you wanted, slurpees, and alcohol all at the same time while seeing half of your town doing the same thing at any time of night. You could get whatever beer, girly drink, or $4 bottle of wine you wanted at any gas station, CVS, 7-11, or supermarket.
8. Apparently the only place where people go to the beach in Massachusetts is Cape Cod.
I'm not saying Cape Cod isn't amazing, but they extremely underestimate Long Island beaches. The perks of living on an Island, I can go to six different beaches within a 15 minute drive. They're all just as beautiful as the next, whether you want the packed ocean where you see half of your high school, or a small private beach only people that live in that town know about.
9. The hype for New England Clam Chowder is so real.
When I first said I prefer Manhattan clam chowder over New England clam chowder, I think I got yelled at for 10 minutes. I just like tomato based soup, it's really good! But everyone in New England is way to stubborn to try it when I offer it.
No matter how much I complain that I miss New York and its better than Massachusetts, I'm starting to get some appreciation for this place. I even catch myself saying "wicked" (don't tell my friends from home).