When you live in the same place for your entire childhood, some things become commonplace—you may even mistakenly assume that certain things happen to people everywhere. Or, on the other hand, you may think that your life is unique, that you could only experience what you do in your hometown. If you’re from Lower Bucks county in Pennsylvania, you’ll no doubt identify with many of these Lower Bucks-specific things:
1. When people ask you where you’re from, you say Philly, but you really mean Trenton, N.J.
Even though you live in Pennsylvania, the trip to Philly takes about 45 minutes, while Trenton is maybe 10 minutes away. So the slogan “Trenton Makes, The World Takes” has probably been branded into your mind for the rest of your life.
2. However, you still have bragging rights about living near the one of the most historic cities in the country
We all know that the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philly. Even if we live closer to Jersey, we are technically still in Pennsylvania—and we know how to celebrate the Fourth of July.
3. You’ll also take credit for Philadelphia’s awesome food and sometimes-awesome sports teams
Cheesesteaks, hoagies, soft pretzels—that is all the food you will ever need. Eagles, Phillies, 76ers ... they have their good and bad seasons, like everyone else. You will forever be linked to these amazing things.
4. Sesame Place
Living near a popular theme park is just another day in the life of a Lower Bucks kid. Still, we're jealous of Hershey, Pennsylvania. They have the real bragging rights. Think of the chocolate!
5. High school rivalries
Whether you went to Pennsbury, Neshaminy, Council Rock (North or South), or Truman, those high school rivalries remain, even in college. You went to Neshaminy? This PHS girl is not amused.
6. Macclesfield Park
If you or one of your siblings ever played a sport, you visited this park more than once in your life. You learned how to navigate the soccer fields when YMS had more than one match playing at once, and you knew when the concession stand would be open.
7. Tyler State Park
Even if you've never heard of Macclesfield, you have to know Tyler State Park. You've either gone there so often that you know every 1,711 acres—each trail, picnic area, and the best fishing spots. Or you’ve only been there once or twice and have walked around in confusion until you found a familiar landmark. Either way, you know the landscape is beautiful.
8. Small-town fall festivals
Who needs a farmers market when we have Yardley’s Harvest Day and Fallsington’s Historic Fallsington Day?
9. You only go to Central Bucks for Peddler’s Village and New Hope, Pa.
You will only venture from the haven of Lower Bucks to visit Peddler’s Village and New Hope’s eclectic mix of local and specialty shops. No one can pass up a chance to stop in Peddler’s Village’s cheese shop—who wouldn’t want to taste cheeses from all over the world? And New Hope is also the gateway to Lambertville, New Jersey, which is just as artsy as New Hope. So many possibilities!
No matter what part of Lower Bucks you’re from, you can’t deny that at least some, if not all, of these things apply to your life. And we wouldn’t have Lower Bucks any other way!