I grew up on Long Island (New York) without ever realizing how lucky I was to live there and I took most of its amazing features for granted. There are so many things that non-Long Islanders will just never understand and there's a whole lot more to us than just some crazy accents.

Here's just a couple of reasons why living on Long Island is as unique as it is:

1. The bagels and pizza are out of this world.

You know that you will never taste a better “slice” or bagel anywhere else, and that’s something that you love to brag about.

2. No matter where you are, you will always be 20 minutes away from a beach.

This makes summer your favorite season of all time. All you have to do is jump in the car and you’ll be swimming in the ocean, watching the sunset or just tanning in the sun in no time!

3. You don’t go to Manhattan, you go to “The City”

Lucky for us, one of the best cities in the world is only a train stop away. NYC is our home away from home.

4. The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) can literally get you anywhere

Whether it be the City or Montauk, the LIRR will take you there.

5. Billy Joel is your everything

You love his songs and probably know most of them by heart.

6. You know what Ralph’s Italian Ice is

And you count down the days until Ralph’s opens again for the summer season.

7. Anywhere off of Long Island is considered “Upstate”

8. And we live ON Long Island not IN it

9. Your fall season is full of pumpkin and apple picking “out east”

10. Roosevelt Field is your ultimate place for shopping sprees

You name it! Every single store you could ever imagine is in this mall.

11. Half and half

And no it’s not something you put in your coffee… but it is the best iced tea you have ever had… and it always comes in a large styrofoam cup from the deli.

12. Every single town has its own dinner and they are always open.

Just drive down Sunrise Highway and you will spot at least five in just 15 minutes, all open, even if it’s 3 a.m.

13. You don’t realize how much you love it until you leave it.

Whether it be going to college or like me, moving away, Long Island will always be your home. There is something about it that makes you miss it so much more than you ever thought you would. Whether it be the pizza, the 20 min drive to the beach or having the city just a train ride away, Long Island is simply like no other place in the world.