Top 10 SHOCKING Things I Learned Traveling to NEW JERSEY For the FIRST Time

[@__hjg__2123]

As someone from New Jersey who now lives in North Carolina - this may be the nicest things anyone has ever said about Jersey :).........

[@sasz2107]

I fully agree!

[@cmans79tr7]

One big oversight in the top ten list is the heavy stop and go traffic getting to work,😢.

[@sonnypruitt6639]

Look at that! Unbelievable! Right there at 8:27! Stop the video ! Look at the billboard! Breast Reduction Covered by Insurance!!! Amazing!!!

[@TimothyHester77NJ]

Newark born and raised. Live in Texas now. This video actually brought a little tear of pride to my eyes. Nice job.

[@rickysig]

It’s really a good state but the politicians have f-d it hard in the @ss over the years, which is why a lot of folks eventually leave.

[@capitanbob7143]

Coming from a Jersey resident I couldn't be more pleased with finally hearing someone who enjoyed our state that is often overlooked.

[@jerseydrillmovement8235]

Same

[@poopshoes7579]

It’s overlooked because outside of the food it sucks. I should’ve left the overpriced dump years before I did

[@jerseydrillmovement8235]

@@poopshoes7579 your mind state sucks if you toughen enough to live here just say that 😭🤣

[@stevehicks8944]

I enjoy Cape May; the rest of Jersey you can keep!

[@LSCBTHEWAVY]

I just seen a random ass youtube reel and the guy was like "im staying in jersey for a week BUT THIS THE BEST STATE IVE EVER BEEN TO YA SKYS LOOK NICE EVERY DAY ITS LIKE GOD PUT FRUITY PEBBLES IN THE SKY AND CALLED IT ART" to then be like " YEA IM COMING BACK TO JERSEY CUZ I LOVE IT HERE" Context the sky was setting ona summer night and if u from jersey uno how that sky be hittin

[@amaliacoyarzun9953]

Never ever dreamed or think of moving to NJ. But life landed me here, and after leaving FL for good, I found myself in NJ. And God, how much I love this state. It's a gem. Diversity, great food, great pizza, great bagels, great delis, great people, great neighbors, beautiful towns, they call it the Garden State for a reason. I know one day I will move back to my country for retirement, but I find it hard to leave this state. It's got four seasons, great parks, lots of wild animals in your backyard, people love their wildlife: foxes, geese, turkeys, deer, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, birds, and the occasional bear. People stop for animal crossings, and you dont want to hear how many cat colonies are taken care of. A dog on the lose? A whole town trying to find it's owner, even cops commit to help. No wonder it's so highly populated.

[@ClebyHerris]

It’s just a bit expensive

[@amaliacoyarzun9953]

@@ClebyHerris but you can make the money to live here.

[@JonathanAllen0379]

I'm extremely interested in knowing where exactly in New Jersey this is, since I've never experienced this anywhere I've ever been in the state, though I admit I was only ever there for work and was forced to spend an inordinate amount of time in the crappier areas in the northeast.

[@Cape-Dweller]

😮police lieutenant in my town said he wasn’t looking for MY dog, but that’s exactly why the neighbors called.

[@boattune0411]

diversity is a reason?

[@keving1318]

As someone who has lived in New Jersey for the vast majority of my life, it was very nice to hear someone talk nice about the state. Honestly you spoke better of it than most residents do! Thanks so much and enjoy your travels. Ps: Hope you had a chance to experience an Italian Hotdog and Taylor Ham while you were here.

[@michaelbiehl4562]

Everyone knows it Pork Roll, not Taylor Ham, my friend.

[@l00k4tstuff]

Former residents of the Garden State call it a nice place to be _from_. ;) I still cherish having grown up in Hunterdon County.

[@HoldTheLine1990]

He speaks nice about Jersey cuz he gets to leave. Lol

[@MileageMike485]

@@HoldTheLine1990 😂

[@sweariefaerie9621]

​@@MileageMike485You laugh, but we're not even joking.

[@newtoncooper4085]

As a New Jersey native, who lived 15 years in the rural South, then returned, it was like coming back to 3D, color enhanced, high definition, sensory overloaded everything. We're crazy, eccentric, neurotic, energetic, colorful and sometimes annoying characters, but NEVER BORING, and neither is the food, ahh, the food. Also the world's best bars.

[@joeyg29jgjg]

yup thats exactly how id describe us lmao

[@gardenvariety9957]

I always tell people, "if ya wanna eat good, ya gotta come to New Jersey"

[@stoneEdshot]

Fukin A, yous guys know!!!

[@dhorubaPRIME]

Jersey food rocks! That is the best thing about my home state!

[@jerseydrillmovement8235]

💯🤣😭

[@Joshhatesithere]

A lot of people don’t realize a large chunk of Jersey is just protected forest and farmland, people just think we’re urban/suburban but it’s very rural especially in south jersey

[@gdemirjian]

Especially in the pine barrens of south Jersey.

[@potcrak1]

Most think it's refineries and large gasoline tanks you see in Elizabeth off the Turnpike.

[@berryfreezepop]

Yes! The pine barrens are the only or one of the only protected forests of its kind in the world and NJ is the top cranberry producer in the country! ❤🌲

[@potcrak1]

@@berryfreezepop I wish NJ would start growing Beefmaster and Beefsteak tomatoes again.

[@rachmunshine9474]

Yeah, I used to have a friend living in South Jersey and you can drive quite a way without seeing anyone.

[@dj4everplaychillertheater584]

I am a 53 year old man and I’ve lived in New Jersey all my life. I visit other cities and other states, but I find New Jersey is a state of convenience. You have everything in the states from the mountain areas the country areas, urban areas and the ocean property fronts. Basically, I love New Jersey, L O L.

[@kathym6603]

That's the spirit!!

[@jerzeeguy9093]

Here's one for you: I'm almost 67, retired from the government, and have been all over this great country of ours. But I came to realize that Jersey's like every place else - but NO PLACE IS LIKE JERSEY! And I'm glad I'm still here after all these many years.🗽

[@lscales6131]

I hate the taxes though. It’s way too high.

[@jerzeeguy9093]

@@lscales6131 Taxes are high. Jersey's not the place for those without means. Nonetheless, you do get what you pay for...

[@lscales6131]

@@jerzeeguy9093 tell that to people in places in Camden. They still have pretty high taxes and it all goes to their city council. Sorry I don’t mind living in NJ but for the amount we pay for taxes we don’t get a lot in return sure our schools are better than most but not much after that.

[@jerz7657]

As a proud New Jersian, my favorite part about this state is that you can drive to NYC, Philly, Go to the Jersey shore , the boardwalk, the Pocono mountains, and farms out west, all routes are between a half hour to an hour and a half drive. Its very convenient in the summer. there is never nothing to do in NJ in the summer fr.

[@LoneLee2022]

That's what makes Jersey Special.

[@ZombieBacon13]

My problem living in jersey is the winters. During winter it feels like nobody does anything and I don't blame them.

[@LoneLee2022]

@@ZombieBacon13 We had a relatively mild winter. Only 3/10ths of an inch of snow.

[@Jerry16776]

It’s perfectly located for sports fans between NY teams & Philly teams.

[@pbear216]

You're out of your mind if you think you can drive 40 miles or more in an hour in Jersey. I lived in Moorestown and it took me an hour to drive to my job in Mt Laurel 5 miles away. I could literally walk faster to work than drive!

[@JonSudano]

Bonus of not pumping your own gas: you can run inside Wawa and get a pretzel and a coffee and your tank is full by the time you get back

[@MyDigitalCult]

wawa pretzels are the best

[@oriolesfan7807]

I can do the same w/o someone else pumping the gas for me. The handle has auto shutoff when the tank is filled.

[@mortsnerd5100]

I hate when people do that when I'm waiting for the pump and they're still in the store. It's very rude.

[@mortsnerd5100]

@@oriolesfan7807 Some states like New York won't let you lock the pump handle on.

[@Coop1250]

As someone from Philly who goes into New Jersey a lot. I’m nervous I’ll get my car stolen that way

[@Thommadura]

Did you know that the worlds leading Heirloom Tomatoes are Grown in New Jersey- and they constantly win International Competitions. The best seeds for Tomatoes were developed by Rutgers University Agriculture department as well. WE also grow leading Blueberries and Peaches too.

[@CoffeeCatsKPop]

Ocean Spray pays RU for the cranberry varieties! Also, NJ hazelnuts are amazing and I hope they grow more (I work for NJAES research lol)

[@jjbud3124]

I grew up in New Jersey (typed NY in error) picking lots of blueberries. We had a tomato field next door. Don't tell anyone but I picked a few right out of the field to eat. They belonged to Campbell Soup Co. I ice skated on the cranberry bogs in the winter. Edit to fix typo.

[@stevedavenport1202]

Hence The Garden State

[@briantoglia5764]

Do NOT forget Jersey Corn. For me, it's the best in the country.

[@markb8954]

Summer! A jersey tomato, sliced on white bread with Dukes mayo!

[@DG-fe4ht]

Lifetime Jersey resident here and retired trooper… you nailed it bro! Everything in your video was spot on!

[@adessachui7777]

Now that is something good about N.J! The police are excellent! However, I would never live there again. EVER

[@Phobophobia03]

As someone who's lived here my entire life, I feel like it's the northeast's best kept secret. Despite the constant flack it catches as the armpit of the country it's the most developed state with tons of variety. From rolling mountains to beaches on the coast it's an awesome little state.

[@toadofsteel]

I've lived in NJ my whole life. I knew about how attended gas stations, jughandles, and our ridiculously tiny municipalities were a Jersey novelty, but I never realized that assigning police to road construction wasn't something practiced across at least the densely populated areas of the country. It just seems like a good idea.

[@eyepicyou]

That was something that I first came across a few years ago myself. It surprised me when they had both ends of a street shut down for some work done on the street.

[@diezel5267]

Jersey b&r here. I never knew this either. It's like learning that jughandles aren't everywhere all over again.

[@actuary33]

Who could forget those circles. Every week someone got killed in a car wreck

[@samanthab1923]

Having grown up in NJ I’m use to it all. Moved across the river to PA & it’s like stepping back in time. Bridges out, roads closed & no detours! Insanity. At least in Jersey the traffic might be bad but they get you there. Here, you’re on your own. State liquor stores? The gas thing. Thank god I only have to cross a bridge to my old friend NJ to get things done 😆

[@actuary33]

@@samanthab1923 grew up in jersey too. Had friends in pa its like the stone age there. Never would move there.

[@sharoncirillo2978]

I was born and raised in NJ and recently moved despite my better judgment. EVERY state has its issues, deficiencies, and strengths. NJ has so much to offer: NYC and PA access, great medical care, job opportunities and unemployment benefits, lakes, beaches, streams, forests, hiking, four beautiful seasons, Taylor Ham 😂, and so much more. I never took it for granted when living there, and I eventually see myself in a quiet, rural, NJ town again. Yes, there is snow. But NJ knows how to handle it. Yes, it’s not cheap, but you get what you pay for. Even the work ethic trumps that of other states. And while I was always team north-even South Jersey has more to offer (and less snow) than many coastal southern states. I make the best of where I am at-but I will never forget from where I come. Nice video and well depicted.

[@markkotulich8401]

In the other half of the state, we call it "pork roll." 😁

[@ValeriaHoran666]

​@markkotulich8401 the correct half of the state

[@jerseythedog]

Taylor ham! Fugeddaboudit!

[@indeck77]

Thanks for using the correct term "Taylor Ham".

[@NathanSimonGottemer]

@@ValeriaHoran666 no, no, it’s just the other half

[@billr8564]

As a person who was born, raised, and spent 65 years in NJ before moving to another state, I appreciate the video and the nostalgia of seeing many of my old haunts! Nice job!

[@1pcfred]

Congratulations on getting out.

[@billr8564]

@@1pcfred hahaha. Thanks!

[@lesyankee6129]

Thanks so much for the positive review of our "Garden" state. I've been living here for over 50 years. If you get off the big highways there's still lots of rural areas of farms, forests, hills and state parks for camping, hiking and and nature to enjoy (and of course the beaches). And no, I wasn't paid to say that and don't work for the NJ Division of Tourism. Honest! 😊

[@lesyankee6129]

@@user-yy4ux9zf4r I'm glad you're skeptical. That's a good quality. But I honestly don't work for the state. I felt the need to say that in my last comment because as I reviewed my words it sounded so much like a commercial that i didn't want it to sound insincere. Full disclosure: I DID ONCE work in Trenton for the state as an intern in 1987, but not for tourism or parks.

[@Thommadura]

@@lesyankee6129 Did you know that the National Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame is in NJ? Did you know that the original Rainbow Room Wurlitzer pipe organ is installed in the Rahway Senior Center and there are free concerts most months.? DiD you know that NEW JERSEY was the FIRST STATE to allow women to vote for President - it was legal from the beginning for ALL land owners including women. I live in rural NJ - have a Large Property which is a Pumpkin and Tomato farm - and have no houses on the South side of the street where my farm is. And yet I live within commuting distance of NYC.

[@lesyankee6129]

@@Thommadura No, I did not know those things. Thanks! 🙂

[@andrehowlen7493]

the versatility in Jerseys geography is endless

[@Jean-ni6of]

@@andrehowlen7493 So are the taxes.

[@allicat140]

As a former NC resident who’s lived in NJ for 18 years, you brought back many of the first impressions I had about NJ. They are now part of the life I love in the Garden State (another surprise-it’s beautiful when you get off the turnpike or parkway)

[@corriemayo2715]

The thing about the vistas from the turnpike around Elizabeth and northward is that what you see largely is the ‚ugly‘ side of a capitalist, consumer society. The smokestacks, tangle of highways, abandoned warehouses and factories, etc tell of the history of the industrial boom that made the US the orenuer economic and military and scientific powerhouse it became and still is today to a large extent, all of it centered immediately outside of NYC. There‘s beauty and truth in its ugliness

[@redrick7369]

If you never made the trip, head north and west, near High Point. Around fall is best, it's a sight.

[@manfredmann2766]

@@redrick7369Totally agree, it is as nice as Vermont. Lived in NJ for 6 years (first 4 in Middlesex County and the last 2 in Hunterdon) and driving the 206 was very scenic to get there. I really enjoyed the towns along the Delaware River from Lambertville all the way to the NY state line. Enjoyed the towns along the shore too, but it was less crowded and more relaxing for me to visit the western part of the state when I had vacations from school or work. Miss the weather in NJ as I write this, because it hit 115 today where I live in Arizona.

[@frankmerrill2366]

@@manfredmann2766 Middlesex County? I LOVE Metuchen! It doesn't hurt at all that my best friend lives there. (I live in Chicago, so it's a trek to visit him and his partner, because I never fly in.)

[@mikef6063]

@@corriemayo2715 Strange that you label the less desirable areas as the result of "capitalist consumer society." You have it backwards. It is these areas that have the most socialist tendencies, full of welfare programs that often subsidize and incentivize laziness, irresponsibility, and poor lifestyle decisions. And one of the reasons factories have fallen intro disrepair or abandonment over the years is the outsourcing of jobs overseas due to big government intrusion and overregulation that makes it unprofitable to keep your manufacturing and jobs stateside (the opposite of a true capitalist free market society).

[@joannemeller9126]

I've lived in NJ all of my life, and enjoyed your perspective. But I was hoping to see you highlight some of the beauty of our state; rural areas, historical sites, pinelands, waterways and other natural areas, since so many people view us as just a pass-through to New York...turnpike, etc. And I do believe you can find a diner at least every couple of miles!

[@markb8954]

I had the greatest time kayaking in NJ’s Pine Barrens! Beautiful water, no crowds, forest lands. Blueberries too! In the Summer, you can’t beat a vine ripened Jersey tomato sliced on white bread with a slather of Dukes mayo!

[@denacook7033]

That was my thought. If the name of the video was traffic routes, I could've been proud but this missing all the beauty of NJ

[@carkpop]

I'm from Baltimore, and MY GOSH I LOVE driving up to NYC through the TurnPike. It's genuinely one of my favorite parts of the trip. I always have to stop at the rest stops too, it's impossible not to stop for Lunch or dinner there ....

[@MERCURYSUNSET]

How long is the drive from Baltimore to NYC ?

[@bunpeishiratori5849]

Probably about three hours, maybe two and a half with good traffic.

[@MrSloika]

@@bunpeishiratori5849 Yup, that's about right. From where I live...Bergen County...it takes 3.5 average to drive to DC.

[@MERCURYSUNSET]

@@bunpeishiratori5849 Thanks .

[@mmnj6963]

I grew up and lived in NJ for more than 50 years. It was so nice to see someone take an objective view from an outsider’s perspective, instead of recycling the normal cliches. Also, I was impressed by the level of detail, all the way down to forms of municipal government. Well done, and thank you! (BTW-this may be the only time that I’ve heard someone give a positive view of the Turnpike).

[@gregsmith4817]

He also had a positive review of Route 1! 😅🤣

[@marionsforza6543]

Absolutely agree!

[@mmnj6963]

@@gregsmith4817 yeah, that was a big surprise.

[@AltimusPrimeG1]

Good take from someone visiting the state. It is good to hear positivity towards NJ as in movies and TV all you hear is people talking down about NJ. I have lived in NJ for the entirety of my life with the exception of being born in a Philadelphia hospital, 49 years ago. It is unfortunate that much of our farm land is disappearing to make way for more developed land, but that is what happens when you are a very densely populated state. The farm land land that remains though is quite beautiful. Our beaches can be quite nice as well, it does cost to go on to our beaches, but that price helps keep our beaches maintained.

[@LessDougDeMuro]

I’m a New Yorker (from NYC) and I’ve driven halfway across the country, and I’ve always thought New Jersey honestly has some of the most interesting and unusual roads, despite them being a bit confusing when i was a new driver 😂

[@TenguTalks]

Route 22 from Somerset-95 is my second favorite "scenic" road in the country, because it doesn't look like it should exist that close to NYC. But its like driving the mountains without driving the mountains. Local flavor for days, and The Flagship as you leave it. I go out of my way to drive that road whenever I can.

[@vietnamvet4533]

And some of the worst drivers for sure when they were flying up RT87 in NY. But got to say the state pretty much blows.

[@paulgould1820]

Born and raised in Charlotte - lived there 35 years. Job took me for 12 years to New Jersey. Mostly LOVED it … sometimes hated it … but it was a great experience. You CAN pump some gas - apparently diesel (they think those folks know more about pumping gas) and if you are filling up a container for something like your lawnmower or snowblower. Turnpike is AWESOME since the remodeling of it but it did used to be terrible. Garden State Parkway is also nice, but not quite as awesome as the NJT. Thank you for the video … now missing my 2nd home!

[@vietnamvet4533]

@@paulgould1820 How you like those wall to wall Dumbocrats? And all who took a portion of your hard earned money to pay for those greedy K-12 union teacher, cops, firemen etc like them? And how about at shore, yea what shore!

[@pogo9876]

@@vietnamvet4533 I'm sure blowing is something you know A LOT about. Smh. Good for you, little guy!

[@matthewcimorelli4002]

I love living in Jersey. We’ve got great beaches, mountains, major cities, farmland with superb fresh produce (especially tomatoes, corn, and peaches) all within a couple hour drive from pretty much anywhere in the state. The only thing you missed was our other major toll road - The Garden State Parkway which runs along the Eastern Shore from Cape May all the way up past NYC.

[@evinramos]

I live 3 minutes from Stella's farms. DELICIOUS WATERMELON AND CORN, AND THE STRAWBERRIES OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@lenkozarski8904]

That's what I said in the Garden State Parkway is definitely the gem of the country it's probably more than this beautiful smoothest nicest scenic roads you can travel

[@JafferManiar]

Hey Mileage Mike, Your videos on New Jersey and the Jug-handles prepared me well for what to expect when visiting the state from Ontario last month. New Jersey is really interesting. While it doesn't have the wow factor but there are so many ways you can explore and discover new things in everyt region of the state.

[@laurarivera5875]

I live in NJ and was actually surprised by your perspective. I never really thought about jughandles being unique or how efficiently the NJ TPK was constructed. Interesting to see it from an outsider's perspective. I love not having to pump my own gas! 😊 The one thing I would have liked to see in your video is the beautiful rural areas (where I live). People tend to think of NJ as one megalopolis along with the Jersey shore. It really is more than that

[@raphael9783]

What's with the reluctance to pump your own gas? I'm really asking? Is it just historical (it's always been this way/ afraid of change)? It just seems like a really small thing to be against. I liken it to bagging your own groceries at a grocery store. I'm from Minnesota so the very thought of having someone waiting outside in the winter to do something I can do myself just seems crazy. I'd feel lazy and guilty. I'm not saying this to come at you, I'm just brain vomiting on the situation. But why though?

[@janellynn2769]

@@raphael9783 I suppose its sort of a luxury. Its nice not having to get out of your car when its snowy/rainy, or you're tired. The employees usually have a small shack at the gas station to sit in and scroll on their phones, or read between cars, not usually the convenience store attendant (unless its a very small store). I never pumped my own gas, its just something you've grown up seeing. Hope this answers your question!

[@raphael9783]

@@janellynn2769 It does. I hope he does more of these about different places. I'd be interested to see/know what's normal here in Minnesota that's weird everywhere else, I'm sure there's something. I guess you get caught up in your own way of life that you think it's normal and is done everywhere. Here's one thing. Here in Minnesota, we apologize for almost everything.

[@janellynn2769]

@@raphael9783 For sure, I always took for granted some of the things mentioned in this video!

[@Thommadura]

@@raphael9783 It has been my experience that once they remove the need to have attendants, then even though they are supposed to have a person to aid handicapped they generally only have ONE person in a Locked cage who will not come out. (I am disabled and have only one leg). I take note that Gasoline in NJ is less expensive than in most states around NJ - like NY and PA.

[@jacktion1546]

I grew up in NJ. I haven’t lived there for the last fifteen years, but I will always consider myself a Jersey boy. We take major pride in our home state (although the North Jersey - South Jersey rivalry is pretty intense). A lot of people like to make fun of NJ and think it’s a terrible place to live, but to paraphrase Don Draper: We don’t think about you at all.

[@shawn_530]

Once a Jersey boy, always! Come back home to visit us soon!

[@jacktion1546]

@@shawn_530 I was just there on Sunday. I only live about an hour away.

[@davidfrischknecht8261]

What about central Jersey? I live in New Brunswick, so I don't consider myself to be in North Jersey or South Jersey.

[@davidratte1959]

Proud left handed young man from NJ!

[@jacktion1546]

@@davidfrischknecht8261 People from North and South Jersey will tell you there is no Central Jersey. They will lump you into either North or South based on your sports team of choice and/or your stance on the Taylor ham vs pork roll debate.

[@blueb4829]

I lived in NYC for 23 years and in PA for 8 years. With NJ being so close to these two states, I'm always there and do agree that it's a wonderful state.

[@blueskiesflyer]

As a New Jerseyan, sometimes you take for granted the quirks of this state, the "all turns from right lane", pumping your own gas and so on... it''s always fun to watch a video like that and see how people are surprised by something you find so normal.

[@1pcfred]

You know what's not normal? Living within spitting distance of your neighbor. On your tenth of an acre plot.

[@lilpapalstate628]

@@1pcfred well it is normal in high density places

[@1pcfred]

@@lilpapalstate628 it's still not how we're meant to live. People we're not related to shouldn't be so close we can see or hear them. They're not not part of our tribe. So they're our enemies. That's what strangers are. Just more competition. Or at the very least annoyances.

[@msenecal]

As a resident here it is nice to hear some positive points about New Jersey. My wife was born and raised in NJ. She is now retired an can proudly say she has never pumped gas in her life.

[@LoneLee2022]

During bad weather it's a plus.

[@rrjt1011]

That’s really not something to be proud of. Guess she can never leave the state now. Before we got married, my GF at the time didn’t know how to pump her own gas until she came down to Maryland to visit me. Had to show her more than once how to do something the rest of the country learns as a rite of passage alongside learning how to drive.

[@LoneLee2022]

@@rrjt1011 Good! Get wet and cold when you have to step out of your car to do it!

[@rrjt1011]

@@LoneLee2022 idk what gas stations you’re going to, but most modern ones have canopies that protect you from precipitation

[@LoneLee2022]

@@rrjt1011 They do?

[@CFPVideoProductions]

Excellent view point from an out of stater. I was born, raised and have spent all but 5 years in the state. This is the nicest view and analysis of life in NJ. Normally "we get no respect." I wish you could come back and report on other benefits of life in NJ. You did an excellent job on the more populated regions. We do have some wonderful farm and country like areas. It is said we have more cows than people. I don't know if that is still true. Thanks for your hard work.

[@benjaminserino6611]

I know we have more horses than people per square mile

[@dcseain]

New Jersey is also beautiful as you explore beyond the highways and larger cities.

[@jerzeeguy9093]

Mos def!

[@FC-qe1wl]

Yes NJ has much to offer and has many nice places...but....the government is like living in a pre nazi state. And thats why we call it New Jermany

[@robgelfand2414]

I grew up in Brooklyn NY and eventually moved to NJ 27 years ago. The thing that floored me at first was that when walking in my neighborhood people would stop and say hello and if I was outside the house and the police drove by they would wave - that was culture shock for me. The other thing that totally shocked me was when I was planning my daughters first birthday party. I ordered several different types of food from different places - not one place even asked for a deposit. Reading the police blotter was a hoot! A typical item was one such as "harassing phone calls with tones and beeps" - this was obviously someone who dialed the wrong fax number, but it was reported and published in the local paper.

[@chazzx1018]

Not the whole state. Certain regions have alot of hostility and anger. See Newark and other outlying cities. Just as brutal as any other cities.

[@jerseydrillmovement8235]

💯

[@vishnumuralidharan9858]

Thank you for posting this video , talking positively about NJ. Me and my wife still miss it, 4 years after moving to the west coast. The gas station part is the most convenient and Wawa is an emotion. The hassles of living in NJ are primarily related to taxes and the unreliability of NJ transit if you have to commute to New York for work, especially in winter.

[@beaniez3061]

As a Jersey girl, I want to point out that Jersey’s three regions are actually North, Central, and South. :)

[@robant5578]

Which i still don’t understand, why western parts , such as Newton , Wantage , are called north if they are clearly on the west ))

[@oscarwinner2034]

The regions are easy to figure out. Get Philly television stations? You're south. NYC tv = north. The areas that get a mix of both = central.

[@kristianlolo2677]

"Central Jersey" is a lie told by people that live in the most northern parts of South Jersey so they don't have to associate with them. Central Jersey doesn't exist. North Jersey is North of the Driscoll, South Jersey is south of the Driscoll. These are the facts.

[@robant5578]

@@kristianlolo2677 and what the hell, or where the hell : "Driscoll" is????

[@kristianlolo2677]

@@robant5578 Driscoll bridge, on the pkwy. Crosses over the Raritan River. That is "What the hell" and "Where the hell" the Driscoll is.

[@vincentperratore4395]

The narrator was well spoken and was very informative. As a New Jerseyan myself, I'd be happy to extend a warm welcome to him if he ever decides to take up his residence here!

[@NateNakao]

This video made me proud to be a born-and-raised Jerseyan. Thanks so much for all of the amazing things you've said about my home!

[@arlenegomes5520]

Hi I live in Kearny, New Jersey. Thanks for the positive video you made about my state! We always hear all the bad stuff that people say about New Jersey so it was nice to hear you say you liked it. Too bad you didn't see how pretty some areas are and how great the farms are. The shore towns are nice, especially Cape May which I am very fond of. Thanks again for your positivity!

[@melissak6238]

I was born in Belleville and grew up in Kearny!

[@mikef6063]

They shouldn't have torn down Satriale's!

[@iangianna]

It's nice to hear New Jersey described in a positive way for a change.

[@LoneLee2022]

Zoo Jersey & you perfect together.

[@adessachui7777]

He's never lived there. I enjoyed how they tried to get $2000 for tolls not being paid on time during the "plandemic" for a cumulative $85 in tolls. Joke was on them, I sent it certified.

[@GardenStatePusher]

Great video that made me appreciate Jersey a lil bit more

[@reh303]

Native born New Jerseyan (and still living here). When I started college in Florida, pumping my own gas and making u-turns at intersections was a bit of a culture shock.

[@frankdenardo8684]

Saw a grade z cop film that took place in Newark, New Jersey, but was actually filmed in either Montreal or Toronto, Canada Big flub was the gas station scene. New Jersey, like Oregon, does not allow motorists to pump your own gas. Military installations and bases are exempt.

[@tommidakota37]

omg, the u-turns still freak me out

[@BChristopher-e9m]

Not sure if you were able to go on the Palisades Parkway but that road and it's rest areas along the Hudson river are beautiful.

[@robant5578]

Unless you are Alpine resident , you don’t go on palisade ))

[@MileageMike485]

I did. It was pretty nice. Didn't have time to stop at the rest areas though.

[@colin_henry1]

As a central/south Jerseyian, was fun to see which photos I knew of! Was surprised I recognized more things than I expected, even my favorite Chinese takeout spot 😂

[@deanchapman1824]

That was an excellent video. One thing though, people are often surprised at the rolling countryside of Hunterdon County, the Delaware Water Gap, and the mountains in the northwest part.

[@patdonnelly9392]

Thanks for giving Jersey a 'thumbs up'! We are a much maligned state. I've lived in Ca. and Wyoming (Wyoming was cool), but came back to Hackensack. Now I live in beautiful Cape May. I don't know why people make fun of us. I see no reason to leave here. I'm dug in!

[@dougadkins7006]

Once a Comet, always a Comet.

[@jerzeeguy9093]

Amen!!!

[@LoneLee2022]

I lived in 3 other states. Always came back. Jersey is Special.

[@adessachui7777]

It's not the people, it's the corruption

[@TemporaryParticipant]

They make fun of us because they want to be us! 🤣

[@tysonb3568]

I live in NYC (im from Chicago) and I cant WAIT to move to Jersey. Much calmer than NYC and what a beautiful state

[@foodiusmaximus]

I moved from NYC to NJ during Covid, having kids around makes you realize NYC only works if you can actually leave your home. NJ is filled with New Yorkers, and even though the few years I’ve been here, you can start to see some of the NYC cool being infused into NJ. I’m constantly see bits and pieces of little Brooklyn around town.

[@ZakaryahGerard]

@@foodiusmaximusPaterson nj is SUPER nyc ngl

[@gjd8849]

I was born & raised in NJ and returned here after 17 years of living elsewhere. While expensive, the quality of life is better here than in many states. Many of my neighbors are from other states (NC, VA, IL, PA, NY ) and they are pleasantly surprised with NJ

[@DialloMoore503]

I’m moving there.

[@vietnamvet4533]

Yea ex NY here and the only thing that surprised me about NJ is how much of a ghetto state it is, the Oranges, Newark, AC to name a few. And the way you drive man, plus a toll every 10 feet on the Garbage State parkway. Oh and PS to your neighbors they need to get out of those big blue states and try some red ones, like here in Florida the difference is amazing!

[@gjd8849]

@@vietnamvet4533 NJ has more than 550 municipalities and you have judged all of them from the few towns that you’ve named. I’ve seen many Red States including FL and they all have bad areas. I’m inclined to say that FL is the trailer park capital of the US and there are certainly more homeless and more crime per capital there than in NJ. Glad you like it there. You can have it. BTW, I’m a conservative and Navy vet myself.

[@vietnamvet4533]

@@gjd8849 Yea well lived in NY for 60 years and I can tell you couldn't stand those Jersey plates in my rear view mirror, ruddest drivers i have ever seen. Plus been to AC a million time, dump, stayed at the shore bigger dump compared to CA, and here in Florida. Just my opinion, but I dislike any big Blue state, to many rules, to many do nothing K-12 union teachers, cops etc, too high cost of living and way to many Dumbocrats voters and the leeches that live of their taxing of the middle class.. But if you like it stay, oh and thanks for serving this once great country of our.

[@LoneLee2022]

Zoo Jersey is Special. Just the most ignorant people.

[@michaeldriscoll8537]

Thank you for giving South Jersey some love; we get overlooked down here!

[@robant5578]

Not anymore, your property taxes pretty much inline with northern Nj..

[@LoneLee2022]

@@robant5578 Property Taxes are still cheaper than renting. We're paying almost twenty thousand a year to rent a small Apt.

[@robant5578]

@@LoneLee2022 it’s all depends,, because besides taxes you have to pay home insurance, and maintenance, always something brakes, also house bills run much higher ,, and that s assuming you are not in HOV community

[@LoneLee2022]

@@robant5578 Breaks, not brakes. What does HOV stand for? Still cheaper in the long run. Waiting on an inheritance. State of NJ gets a huge chunk of it. 15% up to $700 thousand, 16% after that, plus late fees. They don't need a gun to rob you. Legal Extortion. Had to sell the stocks I inherited to raise the money for the state inheritance tax. The banks wouldn't give up the money. Might work out better though. Going on 2 years now.

[@richb4099]

Born and raised in the Newark area and I live near RT 80 50 miles west from the GWB 75 years old....NJ is still a great place to live. Probably never live anywhere else....

[@allie-b-608]

I love everything about NJ except the cost of living. We have such diversity of not only people, but geography too. Beaches, mountains, farms, etc. We've got it all and the proximity to two major cities is perfect!

[@ewrjoe4822]

Awesome video! As a New Jersey resident it was really exciting to recognize most of the areas shown in the video!

[@ewrjoe4822]

12:20 I’ve eaten at that restaurant!

[@SharonSowsian-ou2yn]

Born and raised in Trenton. Moved to South Florida with the family when I was 31 yo.I do miss living there and being between NY and Philly with lots of things to do.Sometimes I wish I never left.Jersey corn,tastycakes,pork roll,Trenton pizza,greatest Italian food this side of Italy.Sure do miss all that. pork roll,Trenton pizza

[@dontarguewithidiots7459]

Thank you for appreciating some the positives in our state. Taxes/cost of living are INSANE here but it's not a bad place to live overall.

[@jmarkb92]

South Carolinian living in New Jersey here. It’s actually not a bad place to live outside of the cities. I live in the northwest part of the state which is the most rural part and it reminds me of home in some ways.

[@joeodorisio6893]

Thank you for speaking so nice about NJ. I live here all my life in South Jersey. A lot of people don't really give NJ a chance. Also if you ever come back and really explore you'll find some hidden gems like our farmlands and beaches in the south. Another cool place to check out is cowtown. Its actually the oldest running rodeo in the US.

[@MileageMike485]

Yeah I didn't have much time to see the beaches. They're at the top of my list to check out if I make it back there before the winter.

[@joeodorisio6893]

Definitely check out Cape May. It’s a beautiful beach and if you go to diamond beach you can look for cape may diamonds. They are see thru rocks made by the ocean.

[@stevenwilgus5422]

I spend the first half of my life in New Jersey. For a small State, The variety in the State makes it seem much larger that it's geography would have one believe. Southwest is marshland, Southeast if beautiful Atlantic beaches, Northeast is the population center, Northwest is rural mountains. In the center, there is pine forest. A traveler would be shocked to experience a trip about 35 miles apart. The path from the Rural Northwest and NYC is special.

[@javierclyburn5688]

You described it perfectly. What a lot of people don't know is that NJ is very diverse geographically. They just assume it's all cities and factories from seeing it at Newark airport or riding through on the highway. It's much more to the state.👍🏾

[@stevenwilgus5422]

@@javierclyburn5688 Thank you Javi. I love my home State and our people.

[@treyjuan6846]

Life-long New Jerseyan here. Great job on the video. We also have beautiful beaches, mountains, and rural areas with farmland. Often overlooked, the scenic drive along the Delaware River bordering Pennsylvania passes through wonderful historic areas and great little river towns. On the downside, it's expensive to live here, over-developed, and crowded.

[@larry4111]

Lambertville ftw

[@gcvrsa]

I'm about halfway through the video, so far, and I have to say, you have really covered a lot of ground in NJ. I've lived most of my life in NJ, although I no longer live there, but it's a lot of fun seeing so many familiar sights from all over the state, from Camden to Atlantic City and Ocean City, and even places in North Jersey that I know. I saw Cherry Hill and Collingswood in there, too! I've lived in the Atlantic City area, the Cherry Hill area, and have family in North Jersey, as well as having travelled all over the state for my former consulting business.

[@Mapmaker1559]

I loved the NJ Turnpike when driving on it for the first time. It does have a great design.

[@DTD110865]

I was a fan of it before I learned to drive. And even the rest areas in other parts of the country, which Mileage Mike finds so inferior compared to those on the New Jersey Turnpike are way better than any of the crap we've had on Long Island.

[@Crenga]

@@DTD110865 toronto-born former long islander of nearly twenty years, and i second this sentiment

[@organrick]

I think it took me a little while to get used to it, but it is a good design that other cities should adopt.

[@donst.pierre2283]

The Turnpike drive is much better south of exit 14 (the airport area). The northern part still seems to be "work in progress" to me, plus it's much tougher on my car's "sports" suspension.

[@LoneLee2022]

And you can do 115 mph and not get pulled over.

[@yinzerwx]

Moved to NJ 3 years ago from PA and honestly never looked back; I had a blast my first 2 years along the Raritan, and though to a slightly lesser extent, I'm still loving it in the Philly suburbs... I used to crack all sorts of jokes about Jersey when I was living back home in Pittsburgh, but I'm gladly eating my own words

[@jerzeeguy9093]

😊

[@CrytpoCompass]

Respect.

[@DukeSaragono]

Coming from NYC one of my best moves I made in life was moving to Jersey!!!! Love it here

[@georgepeterson9696]

I was stuck in South Florida for 27 years. Moved back to NJ in 2016 and have never regretted it. It's really a great state.

[@krisone63]

Just when the housing crisis was in effect, good luck with the highest property taxes in the country and an income tax that goes where? Everything is taxed to support the infrastructure yet you still pay income tax? why?

[@barodrinksbeer7484]

@@krisone63 NJ is ranked 19th in overall tax burdens, so its not the worst or best. But, it definitely has its impacts.

[@MillerMeteor74]

In my 59 years I've only lived outside of NJ for 18 months. Most of those things are what I grew up with, though I've never had a reason to drive the Turnpike or US 1. I thought you might mention how rural most of the southern counties are. I love NJ, except for the cost of living, and the ban on bags in the stores.

[@jim6584]

Funny I hated the Bag Ban too but came to the realization I don't buy as much in the grocery store as I used to. It cut down on the impulse buying of junk. Also there aren't as many empty plastic bags in the parking lots. Some people also were rather lazy with the plastic bags only putting 1 or 2 things in each bag and leaving the store with 10 bags for 25 thing they just purchased.

[@beb1527]

@@jim6584The bag ban is a biggie for me. When I go to other states, I’m so happy when I don’t have to worry that I forgot to bring bags into the store. We always reused the grocery bags anyway at least 3 times for bringing lunches to the office or for the bathroom garbage can, etc. The property taxes are nuts too. I bought my house 25 years ago with a 30 year mortgage. My property tax bill if I were to divide the yearly cost by 12 and pay it monthly is now more than my mortgage payment. The property tax is now 3x what it was when I bought my house. If you live near the shore, the traffic is atrocious during summer months. But truthfully, that’s all I can find wrong and so I stay.

[@daimlerbenzstuttgart]

❤ the video...i moved to NJ in 1984 and love it here! People talk crap about Jersey but we don't care because we know how Great it is!❤

[@richardmansfield5324]

You missed the best part of New Jersey. The Jersey shore. The beaches, ocean, boardwalks and resorts. You have to come back and check it out. Thanks for the complements.

[@jakebutler291]

Born and raised in NJ!! Thank you for coming up with this list....it's really not that bad of a place! Love the jersey Shore too, hope you got to explore some of that or plan to in the future!

[@bkslippy1]

As someone who has only lived in my little New Jersey box, it is fascinating hearing a what someone from elsewhere thinks is remarkable about our state. I didn’t know it’s unusual to have the entire state incorporated. I do want to add that you must have gotten lucky or not been on the turnpike during rush hour because it gets atrocious.

[@AutumnBosco]

Great high quality video! As a New Yorker I do my fair share of talking trash about NJ with my other city friends, but that is just what we do as NYers. I am not actually blind to the positive aspects of the state; I would rather live in New Jersey than Staten Island, I can tell you that.

[@MileageMike485]

Funny thing about Staten Island is I heard some people say it should be a part of NJ rather than NYC.

[@AutumnBosco]

@@MileageMike485 If NYC does indeed have a 5th borough, it’s Hudson County.

[@jasonreed7522]

​@@MileageMike485from a legal standpoint it honestly should be a part of NJ, but NY had better lawyers.

[@robant5578]

@@MileageMike485 it was NJ, it is Nj, just NY took it over, Ellis island where Statue of Liberty stands is NJ as well. SI did vote few decades ago to be part of NJ but missed few votes or NY did not let that pass..

[@navsubtorpfac]

I call the "rest stops" on the Turnpike a "travel plaza" as opposed to a "rest stop". A rest stop is a state owned operation without commercial facilities, a travel plaza is a commercial enterprise. At least that's the way in looks in my experience. MD has two travel plazas on I-95, DE has one on I-95., WV has two on I-64, and I've seen several in PA. Also, another reason that NJ won't repeal the gas pumping law is that it would put a lot of people out of work. I live in VA and when we travel through NJ, my wife always likes to tip the pump attendant. They certainly appreciate it.

[@metarus208]

Thanks!

[@pghrpg4065]

Pennsylvania is also completely incorporated (56 cities, hundreds of boroughs, hundreds of townships, and one town). I'm old enough to remember gas stations having self serve and full serve islands in the Pittsburgh area. My grandmother, who died in 2005, never learned to pump her own gas. While the rest stop pictured looks quite modern, it isn't unlike most of the rest areas on the toll roads of the Northeast and Midwest. Ohio and Pennsylvania have remodeled/rebuilt all of theirs in the past 20 years. Angola on the NY Thruway is notable because you have to walk over the road to get to the rest area in the middle. The Illinois Tollway Oases are interesting as they are built over the roads so you can sit and watch the traffic go by underneath.

[@zoicon5]

Connecticut is also completely incorporated and no longer has county government.

[@LiveFreeOrDieDH]

Being completely incorporated is pretty common in the Northeast. Most of New England has done away with county governments completely.

[@nlpnt]

@@LiveFreeOrDieDH Vermont has only four unincorporated areas (called "gores"), at least one of which has zero residents.

[@nlpnt]

NY is currently rebuilding the Thruway rest areas and switched food vendors from Marriott to Applegreen. Things are in a sort of awkward interim now with half of them closed for construction (except gas) and the other half having all the branded restaurants shut down since their contracts were with Marriott while the ones licensed by Applegreen aren't going in until the new facilities are built.

[@rakshaandreassen5472]

Thank you for the positive review of NJ!! I have lived in NJ since 1972 and love it here!! Yes it is expensive but that’s what you pay for good schools, educated people, good jobs and moderate politicians!! We care about healthcare, women’s rights, voting rights, environment, civil rights etc etc Those who don’t like NJ are welcome to live wherever else they want to live!!

[@jerzeeguy9093]

💯

[@workingrich8464]

Voting rights? One must provide ID to register and subsequently signature verification. What about all the poor people who don’t have ID?they can’t register to vote!What about illegals who don’t have acceptable ID? Must remember that with mail in voting the Paterson elections were thrown out. Every legitimate vote must count. Women’s rights? Abortion? Legal.

[@mizaqenyad4269]

@@workingrich8464why should non citizens be allowed to vote though?

[@workingrich8464]

@@mizaqenyad4269 because they will vote for the democrats who will give them more free stuff in exchange for their votes.

[@edwardauerbach8036]

I live in Hillsborough Township in Somerset County NJ. It has a population of about 40,000 in an area of 56 square miles. About 1/3 of the township is designated as forever farmland. There is almost no crime in Hillsborough and also has some of the lowest real estate taxes in the county. Several times, Money magazine has named Hillsborough as one of the best places to live in the USA. You neglected to mention that NJ is home to many Diners where you can get breakfast 24 hours a day and their menus are as big as phone books.

[@fighter-of-foo]

That Moe's restaurant screwed you over - restaurants are allowed to give you a bag in NJ for take out. Most have been using paper, but some are still allowed to give you a plastic bag

[@LoneLee2022]

To put over your head!

[@adessachui7777]

@@LoneLee2022 😂 exactly

[@shawn_530]

Glad you liked our state! Hope you'll come back and see us again soon!!

[@LoneLee2022]

The Soprano State?

[@JuPN]

I just started driving recently and I have to admit that it was nice to have someone doing it while I'm on the car. Plus, this way no one can force themselves into the drivers seat and take off.

[@clairekessler626]

I grew up in Atlantic City in the '50s and '60s. It was fantastic! I've been saying for years that we spread the bad rumors ourselves to keep outsiders from moving to NJ.

[@BryanCarthell]

I’ve lived in the Philly region of NJ my whole life. It’s refreshing to hear someone not treat NJ as a joke. Something else I often have to explain to people is that in spite of its dense population, you don’t have to go far to find less dense rural areas either. Thank you for this video.

[@larry4111]

Exactly! I lived in Philly for 36 years and spent a lot of time in Jersey. Whenever anyone commented to me about density, I told them to take a look at South Jersey on Google Earth and zoom in on all the farmland - not to mention the Pine Barrens.

[@laundryroom9002]

@@larry4111 south jersey is best jersey

[@larry4111]

@@laundryroom9002 Yup! Totally.

[@uzin0s256]

@@laundryroom9002central jersey is better. Although Princeton is amazing

[@simplyselina]

Born in Nj lived in Florida during my childhood. Traveled worldwide and made it back to jersey. Idk why I decided to watch this, I live here lol. Saw so many places ik in this video. You’re right about Nj being split into 3 sections but it’s north, south and central. Watching for more. Ok so did you take the parkway? Thank you for appreciating the turnpike rest areas, I never realized how nice they were even when traveling, it’s nice to hear it from elsewhere. You can turn left in jersey but jug handles are the majority for large fast highways and mini highways. Kinda good because most people don’t know how to turn and they’d just clog up the left lane. Gets the turners out (although it can take a long time to turn) and it helps but for someone who is a fast and furious driver it’s frustrating to say the least. Okay so hearing you talk about public transportation is weird because we all want it to be better here lol. It exists but definitely not the level of Europe but I guess compared to rural US it’s not bad. The state of our roads? You must’ve caught a good time, they’re constantly being repaved because of all the weather we get. Pot holes are car killers. Awww ok I’m this was a nice video overall. It’s interesting to see an outsider praise the state we’ve labeled as “dirty jersey” or just “the dirty”. Definitely feel a bit privileged growing up 20 minutes from NYC. If you can survive the cost of living and property taxes here you can make it anywhere lmao

[@deanchapman1824]

Public transportation in Jersey is infinitely better than most other places in the US.

[@zerocooler7]

This was a very good and fair look at New Jersey. Yes, New Jersey has its problems but it's refreshing to see someone make a video like this without resorting to silly New Jersey jokes. I was born and raised in New Jersey, lived there for over 40 years. I live in Florida now, and I find that I miss it sometimes. I have no problem with pumping my own gas, it's nice not having to wait for an attendant to do it for me. On the other hand, in NJ on a cold and wet winter night, it was nice not having to get out to do that myself. And I have to say that I like being able to make left hand turns and U turns instead of using jughandles. A jughandle can cause you to have to pass through the same intersection 2 or even 3 times, depending on if you are turning left or trying to go back the other way. Growing up in New Jersey wasn't bad. The schools I went to were good. There's plenty of shopping, though the local and regional chains have largely been replaced by the national chains like Walmart. You can get anywhere in the state in a few hours or less, or the cities of New York or Philly. I lived in the Jersey Shore area, so we got TV channels from both places. I think too many people base their views of NJ on the industrial areas they see on the highways as they pass through, and the jokes they hear. They don't get to know the real NJ, see the beaches and the farms and the small towns.

[@drewmitchell9554]

The last full service gas station gave it up in my small hometown in Arkansas around 2000, but i can think of another two in AR+OK that were still full service in the 2010s. Oregon was the other state that banned self service and their legislature changed that a few weeks ago. The other thing i hope you discovered is the diners - i've been around most of the country and there is no question in my mind NJ has the best roadside diners.

[@jayneel421]

Has the Oregon passed the state Senate? I only see that it's passed the OR House of Representatives.

[@drewmitchell9554]

@@jayneel421 good catch, i hadn't seen that it was the House only. Just searched and i didn't see any Senate action yet.

[@davidgreenhow7811]

Oregon relaxed its rules against pumping your own gas during COVID. The current legislation appears to allow gas stations to make up to half their pumps self-serve.

[@gcvrsa]

Having finished the video, I think you did a good job summing up the pros and cons of living in NJ. It's an affluent state, and with that comes great schools, robust government services, and a wide range of amenities, but relatively high costs of living, and relatively strict governance that you might expect when you pack so many people so closely together. The best part though, is having easy access to two of the nation's greatest cities. Even living down in the Atlantic and Cape May county areas, you can be in Philadelphia in less than two hours by car, or New York City in less than three hours. If you want to catch a show or a concert, you don't even have to book a hotel room, if you don't want to. My family is originally from NYC, but my parents moved to the Atlantic City area when I was a child, so we did a lot of travelling back to NYC for holiday visits with family.

[@jacksonfox2434]

Wawa is a mainstay. Leave ur car and get something to eat, come back and ur gas is pumped. Any hour of the day, there is people. Wawa is home for South Jersey. Also, didn’t mention but 295 southbound from exit 32 to 76 is always backed up Because of the construction project they are doing with 1-76,295, and Route 42 in Camden county

[@organrick]

They have them up in the New York City area as well.

[@scottlyttle5586]

Wawa is headquartered in Pennsylvania, but they are in fact, pretty awesome.

[@skidmark316]

When are they going to finish, they've been doing that construction for like 20 years now.

[@javierclyburn5688]

I don't care what anyone says I would always love my state. NJ march to the beat of its own drum. Great video!#NJNative👍🏾

[@EllieM_Travels]

Great video! I just moved here and now I like it even more. Couple of additional things, NJ has so many beautiful small towns! Brick lined streets, walkable, Norman Rockwell scenery, coffee shops and outdoor restaurants. Love that! And the Garden State Parkway is one of the most pleasant highways I’ve ever been on. Four seasons, none too long or too harsh. We have skyscrapers, pine forests, mountains, rolling hills, beaches and marshes all within a two hour drive. Six months here and I’m starting to settle in. 😊

[@deanchapman1824]

Great post!!! But I have to disagree with you about the GSP!!!😀

[@albundy06]

LOL at the GSP. It's been a while, are they still doing the exact change toll booths every couple hundred feet on that thing? Or has New Jersey moved to more modern ways of stealing your money on it?

[@marigeobrien]

In NJ, a township (as the name implies) is usually a group of towns/villages in a rural area that have combined in order to share fire, emergency, school and police expenses. It's amazing how many little villages there were at one time. I watched as my own town, Port Murray, disappeared, eaten up by Mansfield Township. :( Yes, one-way interstate tolls were instituted in the 1980's, to relieve some of the congestion while leaving NYC, primarily. I'm surprised that leaving Philadelphia also requires a toll. I guess that's the NJ Transit Authority at work. They're in charge of all decisions about transportation into/out of NJ. It doesn't sound like you ever drove along our best/worst highway, the Garden State Parkway. It, too, is a toll road, and trucks are not allowed in it at all. It begins in Cape May, ending at the NY Thruway at the northern border and is the major thoroughfare to the shore. The northern portion is crazy -- in fact, the drivers are often a little excessive in their zeal to reach the shore -- but once you pass Sandy Hook, it's a beautiful roadway. It also seems like you never had a chance to explore the less populated areas, which is really too bad. I live in the northwest county of Warren and, believe it or not, it is relatively rural. At least, there are cornfields and mountains and lots of hiking trails in my area-- I live on the edge of the nearest town and often see all sorts of wildlife here. You would never think this is one of the most densely populated states in the country. But, there you go. Yes, New Jerseyians often boast that they can get to the mountains, the shore or "the city" (NYC) within an hour and spend the day at any of them. Thank you for a very well presented and enjoyable video on my state. I don't know if you've ever heard, but NJ often takes a bad rap. It's nice to see it judged as something other than an adjunct to NY.

[@DrBeah]

I was in Washington, NJ once and it is beautiful hilly country out there in NW Jersey. And yes, the GSP gives great access to the beautiful Jersey shore. It''s not the Outer Banks of NC, but what is?

[@PurpleMonkeyDishwasher88]

Trucks are allowed on the Garden State Parkway from mile 0 up to mile number 105 - Tinton Falls. North of that, they're prohibited.

[@robant5578]

On the parkway between sandy hook and fort lee you better go 80 mph or someone will hit you from the back)) cops don’t care , speed limit indeed is 55 but everyone drives 85 and left lane like 90-95..

[@Rhinestone_Radio]

Nj sucks bro any place that you cant pump ya own gas sucks

[@DaisyG33]

There are no tolls leaving Pennsylvania to enter NJ. The Trenton Makes (the World Takes) bridge is no-toll both ways. So are a few other Trenton area bridges, but they're too narrow for my taste, so I stick to Trenton Makes. Now in my 70s, I've been a Jersey Girl for the past 36 years - I love not pumping gas. Recently, running low on gas in PA, I got the young fella who zipped in front of me before I could negotiate getting to the pump, to pump gas for me by telling him I'm a Jersey Girl and not sure what to do ... Sweet!

[@tomreingold4024]

Thank you for this. New Jersey was my home for 26 years. I grew up in NYC and now live in NYC again, but NJ still feels like a second home. Outside the area, people don’t know how great NJ is. You didn’t speak much of the landscapes, but it is diverse, interesting, and beautiful. Also, it has a lot of well educated people. Thank you NJ schools. So the arts and literature are well appreciated, and there are all kinds of concerts to attend and art to see. You can join or form a band or vocal ensemble with some very accomplished musicians. It’s funny how shocked you are about full service gas. It does take a little longer, but I just don’t mind. It’s really not a problem. I dislike the jug handles, though. They make many areas entirely car-dependent, because you can’t walk across those intersections, and the roads are hostile to bicycles. I prefer to go places on bike whenever possible, and this is one reason I’m glad I left NJ. Thanks for pointing out that NJ is interesting and has a lot to offer.

[@DialloMoore503]

I love the women from that area. They have this reputation for being tough, but they’re actually really sweet.

[@spmcdill]

Thank you. It's nice to hear someone highlight the positives of Jersey.

[@VinsonMusic]

Electronic tolls have been great for NJ. It used to be on the GSP, you would never reach the front of the line unless you drove 6 inches behind the car in front of you and forced your way ahead.

[@javierclyburn5688]

They are getting rid of all tollbooths throughout the state sometime this year. They are going to put up toll gantrys so travelers wouldn't have to stop. 👍🏾

[@dieseldan2380]

Remember Garden State Parkway tokens?

[@nickberry5520]

There are a lot more toll roads in the northeast, many of which (maybe most) predate the interstate system. I have found that these roads often have better pavement quality and rest areas than freeways. Also, the entire northeast shares one electronic toll system (EZPass), which is convenient because the northeastern states are more interdependent than many other regions, partly due to the small size of states and proximity of major cities in different states to each other.

[@scottlyttle5586]

EZ pass goes down to Virginia, ships some states and now works in Florida. No doubt families with their minivans on the Auto train visiting Disney had some influence. GA, FL and NC have their own systems, but are working together with EZ Pass for the most part.

[@sherrywine2827]

You forgot the Pine Barrens of South Jersey!!!!! Do some research on it. Get someone from there that really lives there and knows the Pines to go with you. Stop in at The Pic a lilli inn for something to eat. Don't forget the store in Chatsworth. I have more suggestions if you want them.

[@MichaelEBrown-wo4zb]

I was born & raised in NJ, but moved away after high school. (living in Florida for 27 years now) Its a great state lot of diversity packed into a small area whether it be geography, culture or food. Hopefully you got to eat some pizza at a local spot while you were there, best in the country IMO .

[@marlomontanaro3233]

Thank you for your honest review. I've lived here 60 years and cannot imagine living anywhere else. It's interesting to see what a non-NJ resident finds as his top 10 shocking things about the state. (We also have the best pizza and bagels.) Glad you enjoyed your stay! Another thing people don't realize is how much open space and greenery we have (we are, after all, the Garden State). Everyone thinks the refineries and docks of Elizabeth and Jersey City are the whole state, which cannot be further from the truth. We also have some of the best beaches in the world!

[@robant5578]

I guess you don’t travel much lately?/ in past 3 years most farms turned into warehouses. Some town parks or boat marinas turned into condominiums, .. we are losing farm and wooded lands by million acres per year .. few more years and Nj will be warehouse concrete state , not garden state .

[@johnepants]

Most of my experience in NJ has been in the Patterson area so it’s pretty NY dominant, though we did spend a couple nights in Seaside Heights when I was a teenager and loved the boardwalk. The Jersey Shore does have a unique flavor to it

[@lyon08]

Fantastic video as a Jersey native, definitely covered a lot of things that people don’t expect when they first travel, I’m glad your first time here was so great

[@edwardrasmussen3465]

All of MA, RI & CT have land incorporated in some municipality (city or town). The hierarchy of the levels of government is different in those states than in NJ. Additionally, NH and VT have about 90% of their land incorporated in some municipality, while ME has about 50% of its land incorporated in some municipality. Wikipedia has more information on all that as well as how the three northern New England states deal with their unincorporated land. One thing about reading the NH page: the word township has a different meaning in that state. The new terms that apply in these states, I"ll bet, will have your head spinning! I won't list them here. Another thing that is unique to CT and VT is that there are incorporated citites within towns. Some examples are St. Albans VT (they are separate municipalities), Groton CT (the city is dependant upon the town), and the city of Winsted CT, which is part of the town of Winchester CT. Barre (city) VT and Barre (town) VT are adjacent municipalities, along a similar principle with Poughkeepsie (city) NY and Poughkeepsie (town) NY. Confused? If so, I don't blame you.

[@IrishPizzaMan]

I live in Hunterdon County! It used to be mostly Farm land but it’s changed quite a bit. Still a lot of open space but it is getting more people. If your in the neighborhood again try Frenchtown and drive down route 29 to Lambertville I’m sure you’ll find it very nice.

[@carlaphoenix8965]

What a lovely post ! Very good job explaining our NJ life. So refreshing to have a nice review of us. Thanks very much. 😊

[@shannadowd7176]

I've driven the NJ Turnpike but once we get into Newark, my husband takes over as he was born & raised there. Living in NC for so many years now my nerves would be tore up trying to navigate Newark/NYC traffic behind the wheel.

[@jayg2025]

You shouldn’t drive ever.

[@ronnydzaster5279]

I'm from New Jersey and I find it interesting to see how other states are different. When you're from New Jersey and go to any other state for the first time it's always weird that you have to pump your own gas. I think that's why 73 percent said no to having to pump our own gas. When they got rid of plastic bags I didn't like it at first but I guess I'm used to it by now. I'm glad to see someone saying nice things about New Jersey for once. A lot of people think we're all like the Jersey Shore but most people here aren't like that.

[@jeffharper4509]

most people who are actually from the Jersey Shore aren’t even like that lol

[@libertyman3729]

@@jeffharper4509 That's because only one member of the show was actually from New Jersey. The rest from N.Y. People would be amazed at how many people come to New Jersey for summer vacation. Yep, We have it all. I also must say OCEAN CITY MARYLAND, WOW !

[@laundryroom9002]

I will NEVER get used to not having plastic bags. Getting rid of them was the single most dumbest law to come out of Herr Murphy's regime. I used to use plastic bags for everything, literally everything. Now I can't. Now I see red Wawa or blue Wal-Mart cloth sacks everywhere. No one is going to pick up some nasty wet smelly cloth bag off the street but they will pick up a plastic bag. I have so far refused to purchase any of these cloth bags from any store. They don't have to buy plastic bags and give them away for free, now they get to charge you even more money for something that used to be free. At the supermarket I ask for the paper bags. Oooh the bag ban gets me so heated!!

[@marymadelynevangelista9799]

Wow, what a great video! Thank you so much. I am 65+ years old Jersey Girl and am really impressed by this video. Really tho, we like to think of us as having North, Central, and South Jersey. I gotta say that, after having lived in other places, I also love that NJ has 4 seasons and we have the highlands, Pinelands, fresh water Delaware River, and salt water Atlantic Ocean Jersey Shore. Our Revolutionary War History is pretty cool too. Thank you so much for a great video!

[@dZaq]

As someone who was born and raised in Jersey, this made me so happy. Most people just think of EWR or Princeton University. As for the toll situation when leaving the state, it's a combination of factors that come down to traffic, especially for major cities like NYC and Philly. It's cheaper and quicker to go from EWR to NY Penn Station via train than to drive into the city. Then there's also the car traffic flow itself. Even within NJ, places like the Parkway, you'll find one-sided toll booths in dense areas. Anyway, cheers fam. You're always welcome in Jersey.