# Why does New Jersey get a bad rap? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 30, 2020, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259 "2020-01-30T23:39:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/61 "2020-02-03T17:44:50Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Friday the Thirteenth (filmed at a NJ Boy Scout camp) makes NJ look insanely dangerous! Dammit, that’s Camden’s job. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/62 "2020-02-03T18:04:00Z")
The Pine Barrens have their own kind of natural beauty but its no Yosemite. Flat with pines, oaks and sand punctuated by the occasional stream or pond. There’s a reason “Barrens” is in the name. I’ve kayaked several of the steams and rivers (LOTS of turning) and its about as far as you can get, sight and smell wise, from Tony Soprano’s NJ. Pristine and very peaceful. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/63 "2020-02-03T18:15:37Z")
Gotta say, New Jersey was a much more beautiful place than I would have expected it to be when I moved there. I landed in an apartment that was literally on the edge of a federal nature preserve and it was absolutely breathtaking. I still miss my view. The problem with New Jersey isn’t the state, it’s the napoleon complex that the people who live there and never moved away develop. 6 out of every 10 New Jersey natives will spend the majority of every day defending New Jersey. They are as jingoistic about NJ as Texans are about Texas, but without the self confidence. We were pretty happy to leave. I say this with all respect to the friends I made in New Jersey and the good people on this board who are from New Jersey. (especially What Exit who is one of the genuinely good people in the world. Hal Briston too). ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/64 "2020-02-03T20:07:42Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > Saying “what exit herp derp” is just sad. (Especially since we really do use exit numbers to indicate the approximate locations of many things. It’s just practical given our shape and our roadways) I’ve mostly heard that in relation to the Parkway, sometimes the Turnpike. However, those two roads mostly run on the eastern part of the state. It doesn’t apply to anyone in the central or western part of the state, which tend to be more open/less populated (with the exception of Trenton area) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/65 "2020-02-03T20:31:08Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > Gotta say, New Jersey was a much more beautiful place than I would have expected it to be when I moved there. I landed in an apartment that was literally on the edge of a federal nature preserve and it was absolutely breathtaking. I still miss my view. > > The problem with New Jersey isn’t the state, it’s the napoleon complex that the people who live there and never moved away develop. 6 out of every 10 New Jersey natives will spend the majority of every day defending New Jersey. They are as jingoistic about NJ as Texans are about Texas, but without the self confidence. > > We were pretty happy to leave. > > I say this with all respect to the friends I made in New Jersey and the good people on this board who are from New Jersey. (especially What Exit who is one of the genuinely good people in the world. Hal Briston too). Thank you. > [@Spiderman](#): > > I’ve mostly heard that in relation to the Parkway, sometimes the Turnpike. However, those two roads mostly run on the eastern part of the state. It doesn’t apply to anyone in the central or western part of the state, which tend to be more open/less populated (with the exception of Trenton area) The Turnpike runs SW to NE and is often used with the question. The Parkway is absolutely Eastern. “What exit?” is not just a joke, it is also an actual reference used in NJ. I’ve seen it used for 287 & Rt 80 also. Though less frequently. Even 195 occasionally. I used to live off 195, but we would usually say the Howell Exit rather than a number. My niece currently lives off 195 and she uses the exit number. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/66 "2020-02-03T21:03:27Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > The Pine Barrens have their own kind of natural beauty but its no Yosemite. Flat with pines, oaks and sand punctuated by the occasional stream or pond. There’s a reason “Barrens” is in the name. I’ve kayaked several of the steams and rivers (LOTS of turning) and its about as far as you can get, sight and smell wise, from Tony Soprano’s NJ. Pristine and very peaceful. The _Pine Barrens_ episode of _The Sopranos_ was actually filmed in Harriman State Park, New York. Poor Jersey can’t catch a break!😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/67 "2020-02-03T21:13:55Z")
Nixon retired there rather than coastal CA. Shows he was nuts. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/68 "2020-02-03T21:20:44Z")
I am from Jersey. I grew up on the Shore (Toms River). I was always a bit peeved that New Yorkers made fun of us all the time, but come every summer millions of them would get in their cars and destroy traffic on the weekends so they could spend time on our beaches. I still visit once a year. Mostly hang out down the Shore (Seaside Heights, but also Long Beach Island, Atlantic City, or Cape May). ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/69 "2020-02-03T21:30:14Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > The Quarry wasn’t in Newark was it? I thought it was more like Patterson for some reason. > > I did some checking it looks like you are correct but it turns out there are 4 quarries in, or very near, Newark. [JerseyCityHistory.com - HISTORY OF ESSEX AND HUDSON COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY - Chapter 6](http://www.getnj.com/hudessex/hudessex7.shtml) It’s been awhile since I’ve seen the film, but I recall it was a fictional quarry uncovered during the construction of a mall or some such thing. I just don’t see where you could hide something like that here: https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=%213m2%212sen%214v0%216m8%211m7%211s0x89c25370329a0e1d:0xe%212m2%211d40.7096893%212d-74.1809879%213f2.09%214f6.003%215f0.35 A few miles west maybe. In my mind, it would be as bizarre as saying "oh let’s go swim in that old waterhole in the East Village. Patterson would have made more sense. And Zak Braff is from NJ. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/70 "2020-02-04T07:14:24Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Thank you. > > The Turnpike runs SW to NE and is often used with the question. The Parkway is absolutely Eastern. > “What exit?” is not just a joke, it is also an actual reference used in NJ. I’ve seen it used for 287 & Rt 80 also. Though less frequently. Even 195 occasionally. I used to live off 195, but we would usually say the Howell Exit rather than a number. My niece currently lives off 195 and she uses the exit number. I never knew much about Turnpike exits. We would just tell people we were near [Netcong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netcong,_New_Jersey#Transportation). > [@](#): > > Several major highways pass through Netcong, leading to the borough’s motto of “All Roads Lead to Netcong”. It’s not enough information to get to where we lived, but most people had heard of Netcong, so they at least had an idea of the area. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/71 "2020-02-04T07:21:07Z")
Because it’s standing next to New York. It’s Doug Pitt. ---
**Author:** ![fjs1fs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9e8a1a/32.png) [@fjs1fs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fjs1fs)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/72 "2020-02-04T13:01:23Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Damn. Beat me to it. > > But _every_ bridge that does have a toll is now a one-way toll - pay to leave NJ & most of the free bridges to PA are narrow, two-lane weight & speed (either 15 or 25mph) restricted bridges. Any type of truck needs to pay to go South or West. It works well for the joke, but if they instead alternated, i.e., charged to leave NJ on half the bridges and charging to enter NJ on the other half, then much less in tolls would be collected; most drivers would choose the “free” bridge in both directions. ---
**Author:** ![fedman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/278dde/32.png) [@fedman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2020, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/73 "2020-02-05T01:34:43Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > I spent 12 years driving 18 wheelers and here’s something I noticed about New Jersey. Most of the state is a peninsula and you have to drive over a bridge to enter or leave the state. Here’s the thing… you can enter NJ for free, but there is always a toll if you want to leave. Because no one would go there if they had to pay admission but they’d be happy to pay to leave it. > > There are a lot of refineries and other chemical plants across from Delaware. One blew up once and it shook the heck out of my Jr High, which was maybe a mile or so inland on the Delaware side from the Delaware River. San Francisco’s Bay Bridge does same thing ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/74 "2020-02-06T04:44:14Z")
> [@syncrolecyne](#): > > I think its interesting that Connecticut, which is like New Jersey in so many ways, has a much nicer image in other parts of the country, even though Hartford and New Haven have many of the problems New Jersey’s cities have and both states have abundant suburban sprawl. But Connecticut is known for its scenery and charm, New Jersey not - despite having plenty of similar landscapes away from its main central corridor. It may be because the areas you first enter from New York are rather wealthy suburbs and not bad looking, in contrast to the industrial wasteland in New Jersey across the river. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/75 "2020-02-06T05:31:20Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > The oil refinery in Elizabeth NJ along the Turnpike and close to Newark airport used to be the worst smell in the world. You have never smelled my ski boots obviously. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/76 "2020-02-06T08:47:54Z")
Back in [UAW/MF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_Against_the_Wall_Motherfucker) days, my Lower East Side X-flat crashpad sheltered scads of runaways from Morristown NJ. They all seemed glad to be away. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/77 "2020-02-06T13:16:07Z")
> [@RioRico](#): > > Back in [UAW/MF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_Against_the_Wall_Motherfucker) days, my Lower East Side X-flat crashpad sheltered scads of runaways from Morristown NJ. They all seemed glad to be away. Now Morristown is an artsy-fartsy trendy expensive town to live in. Nice when towns recover. Hopefully this one did it without eminent domain abuse. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/78 "2020-02-06T13:42:49Z")
as far as the smell on the turnpike near Newark I think there is more than 1 place putting out a bad smell. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2020, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/79 "2020-02-08T02:10:10Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > Don’t forget upstate. They’ll also make fun of upstate. Bunch of yokels with their suits from Sears and their gingham dresses. Upstate is anything north of the Harlem River. Anything north of the Tappan Zee Bridge is so far above the Arctic Circle it might as well be Canada. Yeah. I used to make this mistake. For 15 years I lived in southern Orange County, New York. When working in the city, I’d mention that I lived Upstate. To people from Brooklyn, Orange County was a mystical rural paradise. I liked it well enough. Then I made that small remark and the woman on the crew who objected said this: " You’re not from Upstate. You’re living in a bedroom community 65 miles north of Manhattan. I grew up in Watertown. **That’s Upstate.**" Fair statement. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2020, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259/80 "2020-02-08T02:23:35Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > People are people, but on the whole we’re more Johnson & Johnson than Jersey Shore. Boy howdy, [you](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/03/business/johnson-johnson-baby-powder-new-mexico-suit.html) [can](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/oct/18/johnson-and-johnson-opioids-lawsuits-product-recalls) [say that again](https://www.corp-research.org/jnj) !! Being New Jersey means that felonious titans such as J&J can proudly exist, flaunting the law, flaunting morality and flaunting basic decency. Perhaps they’re not the best example to hold up as paragons of virtue. Yeah. Some Garden State… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-new-jersey-get-a-bad-rap/847259.md?page=3)