You saw Newark. You didn't see New Jersey.
By NJ Chicaa
@NJChicaa (124414)
United States
July 21, 2025 8:06am CST
My state has such a bad reputation which to be fair is somewhat deserved but is also not deserved. Newark International (is it called Liberty now?) is right next to a bunch of oil refineries and man does that area just stink. Seriously gross even if your car windows are up. People land in Newark and think that is what this place is all about. Nope.
So people think that is what New Jersey is all about. Um no. We have beautiful miles of sandy beaches. We have horse farms. We have farms for blueberries, tomatoes, corn, etc. Sure we have aggressive drivers and short patience but this state really is beautiful. . . as long as you don't consider the cost of living. 
9 people like this
8 responses
@moffittjc (125419)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jul
My dad once told me that New Jersey was "the armpit of the nation." Flying into Newark multiple times, I can see why he said that. But I'm smart enough to know that there is more to NJ than just Newark. One of my favorite communities to stay in when I had to do business in Manhattan was Hasbrouck Heights. I've even stayed in Hackensack a few times.
But you will have to admit, New Jersey isn't doing itself any favors by having everyone's first impression of the state be the awful smell you experience when landing in Newark. First impressions make lasting impressions, good or bad.
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (124414)
• United States
24 Jul
@moffittjc I've never been to Cancun but they are consistently ranked very high in US rankings.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (78199)
• United States
21 Jul
Is that true, I saw Asbury Park, I didn’t see New Jersey?
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (124414)
• United States
22 Jul
@FourWalls It has had a renewal over the past decade or two. It is trendy to live there now. That being said I haven't been there in years. I saw a concert once at the Stone Pony but that was in like 1996 or 1997.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (88403)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 Jul
I know there are many lovely places in New Jersey and remember a person who watched a lot of The Sopranos and kept asking where all the places in the show were he even wanted to visit Tony So the Sopranos gave New Jersey another kind of reputation,
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (113492)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
22 Jul
I do remember the late comedian Gilda Radner on Saturday Night Live on the Weekend Update segment talking about New Jersey in a mocking manner.
Louisiana has to deal with the media talking about the bad politicians spending time in prison for crimes while they in office.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (199075)
• United States
22 Jul
I'm sure it's just lovely. Ohio, especially Cleveland, get a bad rap; but there's a lot to see and do and miles of lovely countryside...and, of course, Lake Erie.
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (13313)
•
21 Jul
New Jersey.
I said I was going there and my dad thought I was going to buy a new sweater
1 person likes this
