1. Everyone Will Assume You’re From New York City
New York City and the rest of New York might as well be two completely different states, but that doesn’t keep out-of-towners from ignoring the latter all the time.
There are people from New York City and people from Upstate. Unfortunately, if someone is unfamiliar with the area, those two groups tend to annoyingly get lumped together all the time.
2. And If It’s Not New York City, People Stop Caring
If you’re from somewhere outside of New York City, it’s almost like out-of-towners stop listening mid conversation when you’re talking about home. The fact that all of New York isn’t just one giant metropolitan area tends to be a little unsettling to outsiders.
3. You’ll Probably Get Called A New Englander
For the last time, New York is not part of New England. New England consists of 6 other East Coast States including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Unfortunately to outsiders, all of the East Coast is basically the same.
4. You’ve Got More Of An Accent Than You Thought
It’s always hard to realize how much of an accent you’ve got until you’re far away from home. There’s a good chance nearly everyone you meet will mention that you sound like a New Yorker, once again lumping everyone in the state into the same group.
5. Wings Won’t Quite Be The Same
If you’re used to eating your spicy wings around the Buffalo area, all imitations of “Buffalo Chicken Wings” simply won’t compare.
6. Driving In Snow Will Annoy You More Than Ever
If you learned how to drive in New York, you probably don’t mind a little snow on the road while you’re going about your normal day. Other places of the country aren’t so seasoned when it comes to winter driving.
If you’re leaving the Empire State for somewhere down South, expect even the chance of flurries to cause major traffic jams.
7. New York Teams Get A Lot Of Hate
When it comes to pro sports, people around the country tend to hate most New York teams, with the exception of the Bills and Mets. However, if you’re rooting for someone like the Jets or Yankees, expect a lot of trash talk.
8. But You’ll Still Have No Problem Showing Love For Your Team
Even if people love to hate on New York sports, as a fan from the area you’ll have no problem sticking up for the teams you love. Chances are, you can always find someone to cheer with you on game day.
9. People Won’t Have The Same Appreciation For Champ As You Do
Everyone around the Lake Champlain area knows there’s a mysterious creature in their midst. With a reputation similar to the Loch Ness Monster, there’s no need to fear Champ, the local lovable giant.
10. A Plate Of Garbage Might Be Hard To Find
Made famous at Rochester’s Nick Tahou’s Hots, the “garbage plate” is a regional favorite that consists of meat, fries, beans, and macaroni salad all slopped together on one plate.
According to Health.com it’s the fattiest dish in the state. Despite the probably terrible side effects of regularly consuming a garbage plate, if it’s one of your favorites, you’ll surely miss it.
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11. People Might Not Care About Hockey
While you might be a die-hard Rangers fan, most areas of the country don’t really care when it comes to hockey. Just hope you’re not leaving New York for one of these less enlightened places.
12. People Won’t Take Your Talks About Bitch Mountain Seriously
Rising high above Essex County at 2,615, you probably won’t find another mountain with a more unique name. You’ll definitely get a chuckle or two when you’re talking about this mountain out of state.
13. NO Pizza Will Be Good Enough
Once you’ve had New York pizza, consider all other pizza ruined. With huge delicious slices packed full of flavor, you’ll never find a better chunk of ‘za.
14. No Fair Will Compare
With over 1,000,000 attendees every year, the Great New York State Fair lives up to its name. If you’re a fan of all the rides and deep-fried food here, you’re sure to regret leaving come August.
15. You’ll Stop Fearing Mosquitos
Rural New York is famous for the swarms of bugs that zip around after the sun goes down delivering tons of itchy bites to unsuspecting humans. One perk of leaving this area of the country is that you’ll probably end up somewhere where the bugs aren’t quite as intense.
16. Winters Probably Won’t Be So Miserable
After the last few months, no one can doubt the intensity of the winter storms that hit the Empire State. Hopefully you’re headed somewhere that doesn’t run risk of experiencing such crippling snow fall.
17. Bring Some Wine Along For The Ride
Boasting some of the best wine in the country, close to two hundred million bottles come out of the Empire State. If you’re a fan of this drink you’re sure to go through withdrawals when you leave. Most places in the country don’t have anything close to the wine community that New York has.
18. Public Transportation Won’t Be So Easy To Use
One great perk of living in New York is how easy the public transportation is to use. Even getting from town to town is just one painless ride away. You’ll be stuck driving or taking an expensive cab almost anywhere else you move.
19. No One Knows What A Cider Doughnut Is
A fall favorite in the Upstate area, this treat is something you’ll surely miss. If you can find a recipe, they’re easy enough to make yourself. Your new friends will love you for it.
20. “How Often Do You See The Niagara Falls?”
Once an outsider realizes you don’t spend all of your time in Times Square or at the Statue of Liberty, they’ll probably start listing other tourist attractions this state is famous for. Niagara Falls is sure to come up quite a bit.
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21. You’ll Miss Life At The Beach
While most out-of-towners probably don’t think of New York as a beach state like Florida or California, there are plenty of awesome summer spots full of bikinis and sand there.
If you’re moving to one of the country’s many landlocked areas, you’ll miss home come the warm summer months.
22. Seafood Won’t Be So Fresh
Another huge perk of being so close to the beach is that the seafood in New York is some of the best in America. You’ll have a hard time finding a lobster capable of meeting your expectations.
23. No One Will Know What The Finger Lakes Are
While you might have spent countless long weekends while growing up at the Finger Lakes, outside of the New York region they’re pretty much unheard of as a tourist destination.
Outsiders just won’t understand how fun a trip here can be until you bring them back with you for a visit.
24. Get An Education Before You Leave
If you’re considering the pursuit of a college degree, you’re already in one of the best places to do it. With tons of great universities and several Ivy League schools, the state of New York can be one of the best places in the world to get a higher education.
25. Other Places Won’t Be So Haunted
There’s a reason every American horror tale seems to be set on the East Coast, there’s a ton of history…meaning a ton of ghosts. If you’re moving somewhere with less of a past, there’s a good chance you’ll find your new home is a bit more lonely.
26. You’ll Be Tougher Than Most People You Meet
With the storied past, intense weather, and of course the Big Apple, New Yorkers tend to have a well-deserved reputation of having a harder shell. Few other places in the country have people with as much grit as those in the Empire State.
27. You Can Stop Fearing Bed Bugs
People in New York City are well aware that these pests are a real problem. If you’re leaving the city, it’s comforting to know that very few other places in the country are plagued by these little critters.
28. You’ll Miss The Fall
No place in the country has a prettier fall than Upstate New York. If your favorite time of the year is when the leaves start changing, you’ll definitely get the urge to come back for a visit.
29. Tone Back Your Road Rage
While you might be used to driving in lots of traffic for extended periods of time, most Americans aren’t. Think twice before you lay on the horn or flip the bird, it’s a lot more insulting in places like the Midwest.
30. Nowhere Else Will Compare To Your New York Life
If you loved everything about life in New York, you’ll never find somewhere else that’s quite so sweet. With awesome food, a great outdoors, and literally any entertainment you might want at your fingertips, it’s hard to beat life in the Empire State.
Thankfully, if you leave, you can always come back. Once you’re a New Yorker, you’re a New Yorker for life.
What do you miss about New York? Tell us in the comments below!
