I was born and raised in Long Island, New York, about 40 minutes from NYC. If you live in the NY area, you know how we are spoiled with stores and restaurants open 24/7, and we can get anywhere in the city in just minutes by subway. I faced a huge culture shock moving to PA.

Yes, I am only 15 or so miles from Philly--certainly not the middle of nowhere. However, I live on campus without a car. One of the biggest adjustments I have had to make to college life is the fact that I have to stay on campus--within a half square mile radius-- for the majority of the week.

This was tough for me to get used to considering all my life I could drive or be driven anywhere on the island, or take a short train ride to the biggest city in the nation.

Here are a few things you can probably relate to if you’re a native New Yorker living in a different state.

1. Stores close so much earlier

Forget heading out at 8:00 p.m. to grab something from the store, because it closed 3 hours ago.

2. You’re waiting for NY to adopt the WaWa trend.

I think we can all admit that they’re a lot nicer than 7 eleven.

3. If you move to PA, they call sprinkles, jimmies

4. And they call Italian ice, Water ice

The first week of school, someone told me there would be “Water Ice” at our dance. I didn’t even know what they were talking about.

5. Everything costs less

This is definitely a perk of moving from NY. No more ridiculously prices. When I say everything is cheaper I mean everything. Restaurants, Coffee Shops, groceries, rent, movie tickets, train tickets (etc)

6. People are way nicer.

One of my first nights of orientation my friend and I went out to get something to eat a few towns away and every single person we passed on the street greeted us. We were kind of taken back.

One of my first nights of orientation my friend and I went out to get something to eat a few towns away and every single person we passed on the street greeted us. We were kind of taken back.

And last but certainty not least,

7. Bagels and pizza are just not the same outside of NY.

This one speaks for itself.