You think that upstate, western, or central New York is the best part of the state, but you're wrong. What do you have to offer other than Wegmans? Downstate has EVERYTHING.
1. Our sports teams don't suck.
I didn't even know the Bills existed until I went to college at SUNY Brockport, and I wish I stayed ignorant. They aren't good, even Bills fans know that. The Sabres, really? Downstate has the Yankees, Giants, and Rangers; good teams.
2. Access to real beaches
Whoever thinks that the sandy patch of Lake Ontario is a beach is crazy. Long Island beaches and the close proximity of New Jersey beaches are what makes our summers fun.
3. We say "soda"
It's soda, not pop. Just stop.
4. Concerts
You think Darien Lake and CMAC is cool? Uh, have you been to MSG? Barclays? Randall's Island? Bethel Woods? Downstate has concerts you want to see and music festivals you're dying to go to. You lose this fight every time, upstate.
5. People know how to drive
No one in upstate and western New York ever seems to be in a hurry. Oh, you're already 5 minutes late? What's another 10 minutes then? EVERYTHING. Be on time and drive there like a human, not a snail.
6. Ways to travel, other than driving
Subway, trains, and cabs are abundant in downstate NY. There's also about four international airports within two hours of each other. People who live downstate can get anywhere, anytime.
7. Shopping in general
The Woodbury Common is life, New York City stores are fantastic, and downstate malls have every department store, restaurant, and specialty shop you could want. Need a new Louie Vuitton, a neck pillow from Brooks Brothers, and a Lilly Pulitzer planner? Go to any downstate mall, and you can get all three.
8. The City
Not Rochester, not Syracuse, not whatever city you deem the city. New York City is the city, quit fooling yourself that it isn't.
9. The food
Okay, you already knew every other part of New York has awful food compared to downstate. Bacon egg and cheese on a hard roll/pizza/chicken cutlet/bagels/everything right in the world can be found in downstate NY.
10. Things to do
Unlike the rest of NY, downstate has a plethora of things to do. We like to have fun downstate, and we know how to. Want to mini golf? No problem, there's one course in every county. Need to get your nails done? There's about one nail salon for every 15 downstate residents. Want to go somewhere new? Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey are about a 40-minute trip away. For every other part of the state, you need to drive that long to get to your precious Wegmans anyways. Downstate the trip is worth the drive.
11. The people
Everyone from downstate NY is sarcastic, tough, and a boss-b**ch. The people make downstate the fantastic place it is. But everyone loves people from downstate because they're just like the part of the state they're in: the best.
Keep your Buffalo wings and Wegmans, downstate has everything you'll ever need.
Don't hate me, cause you ain't me- Everyone from downstate NY.