I have lived in other places. I was even born in Alaska but I have always considered myself a Jersey Girl. As much as I dislike the traffic and rudeness, I love the diversity if the state.

Within an hour, I can be in the mountains. Within a half an hour, fishing off the shoreline with a view of the NY skyline.

Gambling, not that I go often but if I want to, AC is only 90 minutes from me.

The same with New York City. I can take a train and be there in 20 mintues or drive and sit in traffic for an hour, the choice is mine.

Unfortunately, many people only know how movies and the Sopranos depict NJ. People who are passing through are either on the Turnpike, which takes you through the industrial areas, or the Parkway, which is a nice road but it bypasses the towns so you don't get to see anything.