If you’ve lived in New Jersey for any length of time and then left, there may be some thoughts you’ve had about the things you miss, and the things you miss less. Here are 16 thoughts that have probably crossed your mind at least once.
- Where’s the beach?
Flickr/ScorchedEarth This depends on where you move to, but most states don’t offer such incredible ocean access. I suppose a lake will have to do.
- Oh, here it is. It’s just not the same.
Flickr/Kim Carpenter Sure, a few states have a decent boardwalk or two, but we have Asbury Park, Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights, Atlantic City, Ocean City, Wildwood and more.
- How far is the nearest ski resort?
Flickr/Anthony Quintano Most states offer skiing. Some states even offer BETTER skiing. But New Jersey’s ski resorts are never too far away.
- Where’s the traffic?
Flickr/Jeff Turner This may not apply if you’ve moved to Los Angeles, but roads tend to be less crowded outside the Garden State.
- I could really go for some Taylor pork roll right now.
Flickr/Ted Kerwin The meat has migrated to states with a significant amount of New Jersey transplants, but it can be difficult to find.
- What??? How many miles to the nearest diner?
Flickr/Tony Fischer New Jersey is the diner capital of the world. We all have a favorite.
- Having four seasons was actually kind of nice.
Flickr/Anthony Quintano Because April showers bring May flowers and autumn brings amazing foliage.
- I wish I could stay in the car right now.
Flickr/SortOfNatural When it’s freezing cold or disgustingly hot, it’s nice not to have to pump your own gas.
- There are so many stars.
Flickr/Jason Jenkins New Jersey has stars. We have beautiful night skies. I’ve seen constellations and meteor showers all over the state… But, have you ever driven through Utah at night?
- Wow. I can actually afford to live here.
Flickr/NP Gulley Perhaps not this home in particular (it’s the Ringwood Manor), but you can definitely get more bang for your buck in terms of real estate outside of New Jersey.
- A mall would be super convenient at the moment.
Flickr/LancerE Last minute gift shopping and a meal, all in one place. Malls are everywhere, but not quite like New Jersey.
- The pizza/bagels/tomatoes just don’t measure up.
Flickr/Joe Jall It’s not the same.
- It was so nice being 3 hours or less from EVERYTHING.
Flickr/Noe Alfaro From mountains to beaches in mere minutes. (Okay, not quite, but you could go anywhere you wanted in the state in just a single day.)
- Why aren’t the baked goods as…good?
Flickr/Mike Appel This is one I haven’t noticed but hundreds of readers have mentioned it. The hard rolls, fresh bread and pastries are just better in New Jersey - do you agree?
- There’s no place like New Jersey.
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli Our state may be small, but we have it all… Hills, valleys, lakes, rivers, farms, forests, trails, shopping, dining, entertainment, beaches, museums… I can keep going.
- And… I miss my home.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn When’s the next trip back?
Have you ever left the Garden State? What did you miss most? For a little New Jersey love, check out this tongue in cheek list of reasons never to move to New Jersey. We’ve got to keep those out-of-staters away somehow.
Flickr/ScorchedEarth
This depends on where you move to, but most states don’t offer such incredible ocean access. I suppose a lake will have to do.
Flickr/Kim Carpenter
Sure, a few states have a decent boardwalk or two, but we have Asbury Park, Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights, Atlantic City, Ocean City, Wildwood and more.
Flickr/Anthony Quintano
Most states offer skiing. Some states even offer BETTER skiing. But New Jersey’s ski resorts are never too far away.
Flickr/Jeff Turner
This may not apply if you’ve moved to Los Angeles, but roads tend to be less crowded outside the Garden State.
Flickr/Ted Kerwin
The meat has migrated to states with a significant amount of New Jersey transplants, but it can be difficult to find.
Flickr/Tony Fischer
New Jersey is the diner capital of the world. We all have a favorite.
Because April showers bring May flowers and autumn brings amazing foliage.
Flickr/SortOfNatural
When it’s freezing cold or disgustingly hot, it’s nice not to have to pump your own gas.
Flickr/Jason Jenkins
New Jersey has stars. We have beautiful night skies. I’ve seen constellations and meteor showers all over the state… But, have you ever driven through Utah at night?
Flickr/NP Gulley
Perhaps not this home in particular (it’s the Ringwood Manor), but you can definitely get more bang for your buck in terms of real estate outside of New Jersey.
Flickr/LancerE
Last minute gift shopping and a meal, all in one place. Malls are everywhere, but not quite like New Jersey.
Flickr/Joe Jall
It’s not the same.
Flickr/Noe Alfaro
From mountains to beaches in mere minutes. (Okay, not quite, but you could go anywhere you wanted in the state in just a single day.)
Flickr/Mike Appel
This is one I haven’t noticed but hundreds of readers have mentioned it. The hard rolls, fresh bread and pastries are just better in New Jersey - do you agree?
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
Our state may be small, but we have it all… Hills, valleys, lakes, rivers, farms, forests, trails, shopping, dining, entertainment, beaches, museums… I can keep going.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
When’s the next trip back?
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