When I tell people that I live on the Jersey Shore, I get the typical responses, "Are you a Guido? Do you know any of the people from 'Jersey Shore'?"
No, I am not a 'guido' and no, I do not know anyone from the "Jersey Shore" show. However, I do know that I live in one of the best places in the country. People don't believe me when I tell them that the Jersey Shore is one of the most beautiful places and that you can never get bored here. I mean Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen wouldn't live here if it wasn't the best. Here are my top 10 things about living on the Jersey Shore during the summer.
1. The Food
Between Strollo's Lighthouse, Inkwell and Playa Bowls, there is always so much to eat here. I always say going home is my downfall because there is so much good food to eat here. While I'm away at school, I literally dream about the pizza and bagels. It's always so hard to pick where my friends and I are going to eat because there are so many amazing places here to eat!
2. The Boardwalk
Of course everyone gets bored after being home for a while. However, living here on the Jersey Shore, there is always something to do! One of the most popular spots is the Boardwalk in Seaside Heights. Between the places to eat, the beach and all the arcades, you're definitely not going to be bored. There's also Point Pleasant Boardwalk, which is just like the Seaside Boardwalk. It is a fun time for you and your friends or family time!
3. The beach is always a short distance away!
Ahh, the beaches. I have so many people argue with me that Jersey beaches "suck". Well, can you see the NYC skyline from your beach? I didn't think so. One benefit of living on the Jersey Shore is that the beach is always a short distance from wherever you are. My summers are filled with drives to the beach with my best friends and you can usually find me laying in the sand with a big smile on my face.
4. Red Bank
Between Count Basie Theater, the shops, the food and the overall feel of Red Bank, I love spending my time in Red Bank. Maybe because it is a two minute drive from my house, but there is always a lot of things to do in Red Bank. It is home to Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash, a famous comic book store, and Yestercades, a retro arcade store. There are also so many amazing restaurants, clubs and bars (if you're old enough). Also, there are amazing views of the Navesink River!
5. The Location
The location of the Jersey shore is perfect. Not only do we have beaches and amazing towns at our disposal, but we are also pretty close to a lot of different major cities. If you want to take a day trip to somewhere, it is pretty easy. New York City is only an hour away and so is Philly. Also, if you don't want to drive there, we have train stations in almost every town ready to bring you to NYC. That's pretty convenient if you ask me!
6. Late-Night Diner Runs
Jersey is known for their 24-hour diners with amazing food. Trust me, these diners come in handy because I cannot tell you how many times my friends and I have gone to the diner at 1 am to get mozzarella sticks. It is great to have something to do after a long night where you can just hang out and have food. Diners have definitely become a late night hang out here at the shore.
7. PNC Concerts
PNC Bank Arts Center, the home of all the summer concerts. If you live on the Jersey Shore, you have gone to at least one concert here. Everyone gets pumped to see the schedule of who is coming here each summer! A lot of big name artists come here and you can get tickets for cheap. Getting lawn tickets with your friends and jamming to your favorite artists is one of the best things about PNC Arts Center. Also, it happens to be ten minutes away from where I live, so it is super convenient.
8. Blasting music and driving around with your friends
This is arguably one of my favorite things to do when I go home. Blasting jams with my best friends while driving by the beach. It is where some of my favorite memories happened. There is just something about driving over the oceanic bridge and just letting loose with your friends. It is just unforgettable and it just makes me appreciate where I live even more. Just being by the beach and with my people is where I want to be.
These were my top things about living on the Jersey Shore. Hopefully you have seen that the Jersey Shore is much more than what is depicted on television. It is my home and where I have made some of my most unforgettable memories. It isn't 'the armpit of America' like everyone says. Most of these pictures are my own and it is pretty damn beautiful if you ask me. Here's one more picture to help convince you that where I live is pretty amazing.
