When I begrudgingly accidentally grumpily optimistically moved to Jersey 5 years ago, I imagined it as the land of parking lots, strip malls, toxic waste and Tony Soprano. It was the place you scoffed at from other states; where fresh air was a pipe dream and the roads were clogged with big haired women in oversize SUVs on their way to the mall.
OK, so maybe I still scoff at North Jersey.
But where I live, in South Jersey, is totally different. I live in a suburban neighborhood like the Wonder Years. Our grass grows like it's on steroids. Not five minutes away is a cute little center of town where you can grab a smoothie or a coffee and wander down the streets, window shopping and people watching.
I might kind of like it here.
(Don't tell my husband. He'll never believe you anyway.)