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Some Differences Between New Jersey and Pittsburgh

Since moving to Pittsburgh a little over six years ago I have noticed some common misconceptions and generalizations regarding my beloved New Jersey and Western Pennsylvania. I thought it might be fun to clear some of these up and also point out some differences I have observed.

Common Misconceptions · Differencees · Pitt Highlights · NJ Highlights · Jersey · Pittsburghese ·

Common Misconceptions

Pittsburgh

Not everyone in Pittsburgh works in a Steel Mill
It doesn't rain every day
Pittsburgh does not get a ton of snow in the winter time
It does not take 8 hours to drive to Pitt. from NJ

New Jersey

People from NJ don't have a New York accent
Not everyone in NJ is in the mob or related to a mob member
NJ is not all oil refineries, parkway exits and trash dumps
NJ is not full of mean rude people

I'm not saying that their aren't differences between the two, of course their is...below are some of the things that jump out at you.

**Differences between Pittsburgh and New Jersey**
Item	In the Burgh it's Called	In New Jersey it's Called
Pepsi \ Coke	In the Burgh this is called Pop	In NJ this is called Soda
Lunch Meat (Ham)	In the Burgh you buy Chipped Ham	In NJ no one has ever heard of chipped ham - you buy Sliced Ham
Local Food	In the Burgh it's Pirogies	In NJ the choice is Tomato Sandwiches
Food to Cook on the Grill	Kabasi	Italian Sausage
Salads	In the Burgh when you order a salad it comes with fries on it	In NJ the salads don't have fries - that's just freaky
If you have to drive into Pittsburgh or Newark	Western PA folk would refer to this as "going downtown"	People from NJ would describe it as a trip into the "the City
What is considered the closest beach	Lake Erie, yes they consdier this a beach	"The Jersey Shore", Avalon, Sea Bright, LBI, Seaside, Cape May...take your pick
Filling Your Gas Tank	You pump your own and pay more	You pay someone to pump your gas and it's cheaper
Local Music Legends	Donnie Iris, Rusted Root and the Clarks	Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny and the Smithereens
Geography	Pittsburgh is all hills	NJ is almost totally flat

Pittsburgh is a city with a small town feel and I mean that as a total compliment. People are more willing to accept strangers are very proud of their city and history...and of course they love their Stillers

Pittsburgh Highlights

Great museums, theaters and restarants
Their are ten major colleges and universites located in and around Pittsburgh
PNC Park and Heinz Field are awesome stadiums
The people are very friendly and for the most part very easy-going
The cost of living is much cheaper

New Jersey is a lot different then people who aren't from there think it is. In fact 36% of the total land area is covered in forest. While it does lack a big city it's centrally located between Philadelphia and New York City. Either city is only a 45 to 60 minute train ride away and because of that their are many more transplant residents.