NJ definitely has its flaws, but there is a lot to be appreciated about it. ✨ It's not my fave place in the world, but it is one of my fave places in the States. Being well travelled or culturally understanding is not what I posted about. I simply posted that I am grateful for the place I live in. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk. 👋🏼 (🧵2/2)

Married a Jersey girl. NJ will always surprise. It’s not just Newark, believe me. And the Jersey Shore on LBINJ? One of the best stretches of beach in the continental US.

I was born & raised in Iowa, have lived in chicago, Germany, Detroit, Brooklyn and for the past 18-1/2 years, Philadelphia. While there are reasons that I won’t live in NJ, notably taxes and lack of walkability in many areas near me, i generally praise New Jersey whenever I can. 🧵

I live in Monmouth County and I’d argue you’d be hard-pressed to find a better place to live. That being said, I can’t wait to relocate at some point. Haha.

People often know NJ because they flew into Newark Airport en route to NYC, went to a concert or a football game in East Rutherford, or watched the opening of The Sopranos. They see factories, docks, freeways, train tracks, meadowland swamps, and oil refineries. Many judge the state by those snapshots. How many other states are stereotyped by their industrial centers alone? Can’t think of one. But that’s what’s happened to NJ … and it’s way more than that industrial snapshot. 🍅 🌊 🌽 ⛰️ 🌲

I was born and raised in CT. I've been in Jersey for 30 years. CT people just DO NOT understand why on earth I'd choose Jersey over them. I always say that you have to live here to get it. That being said, growing up, I thought ALL the cool stuff (and people) were in NJ. I saw commercials for Action Park and Great Adventure. And there were shows and movies set and/or filmed in NJ like The Karate Kid, Big, Friday The 13th, Lean On Me, Desperately Seeking Susan and Empire Records (among others)

My husband got a job offer in Texas, with a 100% raise on the salary he currently receives. We decided not to move out of NJ. I think the reason is self explanatory. 😅😂

Pretty sure many knocking Jersey have never been, or only been to the airport or a sports game. Grew up here, lived all over the world and other states (+ traveled to 47 of the 50). Jersey still sits in my top 3 as far as most to offer across the board. Beaches, mountains, farmland, forests, entertainment and culture, food, tech, innovation…plus nestled between two amazing cities and convenient to every major city in the northeast. Let them mock. More for those in the know to enjoy. 😉

I like to tell people that the turnpike is a moat to keep New Yorkers from finding out what a great place it actually is

NJ we’re more than just the Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire State. More reality tv shows have been filmed here than any other state.. NJ sells… Jersey, like us, love us, or hate us, we really don’t care.