Most, if not all, of us live in Pennsylvania because we love it. For whatever reasons, however, not all Pennsylvanians stay in PA. Some move away and only return to visit loved ones while others leave and eventually return home. No matter why you’ve left, here are 10 things you quickly learn when you move away from Pennsylvania.

  1. We can handle anything that comes our way.

Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli We’re experts at avoiding potholes. We know how to deal with frizzy hair thanks to the humidity, and the snow doesn’t scare us. Living in PA has taught us to deal with whatever comes our way.

  1. Our jargon might confuse others.

Flickr/Matt We might move away from Pennsylvania, but PA will always be a part of us. That includes our jargon. If you tell someone to rid/red up his space or outen the lights, don’t be surprised if you get a quizzical look.

  1. It just tastes better when it’s made it PA.

Flickr/Joy Chances are we can find whoopie pies, shoofly pie, and even scrapple anywhere we move. However, no matter how good it is, it won’t taste the same as when it’s made and eaten right in PA.

  1. We might have to find an alternative to Wawa or Sheetz.

Flickr/Lauren Siegert While our favorite depends on which part of the state we live in, we might have to learn to live without a Wawa or a Sheetz in our new hometown.

  1. We’ll always find someone else from back home.

Flickr/Paul Hamilton How many times have you traveled somewhere, only to meet someone not only from PA but from your corner of the state? No matter where we move, we’re going to meet other transplants who we immediately gravitate toward.

  1. No one can change our allegiance.

Flickr/Rhys A. Sports are a big deal to many Pennsylvanians, and that won’t change no matter where we travel. Neither will our loyalty. We’ll take our love of our favorite PA teams with us, even if that means we’re the only Phillies, Pirates, Eagles, or Steelers fan in the stands.

  1. Shorts aren’t necessarily winter attire.

Flickr/Matthew Prosser Sure, we may have a foot of snow or frigid temperatures, but there will always be those of us who throw on a comfy pair of shorts and a sweatshirt. Because…why not?

  1. Not everyone gets the Monday after Thanksgiving off.

Flickr/Amy Gizienski We’re just used to having five-day Thanksgiving weekends. After all, the Monday after Thanksgiving has traditionally been the first day of hunting season. That’s a pretty big deal for plenty of Pennsylvanians.

  1. We’re just the only people in the U.S. who call it PA.

Flickr/Nicolas Raymond Yep, ever hear a Californian refer to their home as CA? We’re likely the only people who refer to our home as PA, not Pennsylvania. It might get us a few weird looks here or there, but it won’t change anything.

  1. There’s no place like home.

Flickr/John Brighenti The world is a beautiful, exciting place. We might even travel all over, only to find ourselves homesick for PA. After all, there’s no place like home – where others understand our unique jargon and share the same type of life experiences.

What are some other things you quickly learn when you move away from Pennsylvania? Join the conversation in the comments! Then read about some of the things in Pennsylvania we’ll never take for granted again after the coronavirus pandemic.

Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli

We’re experts at avoiding potholes. We know how to deal with frizzy hair thanks to the humidity, and the snow doesn’t scare us. Living in PA has taught us to deal with whatever comes our way.

Flickr/Matt

We might move away from Pennsylvania, but PA will always be a part of us. That includes our jargon. If you tell someone to rid/red up his space or outen the lights, don’t be surprised if you get a quizzical look.

Flickr/Joy

Chances are we can find whoopie pies, shoofly pie, and even scrapple anywhere we move. However, no matter how good it is, it won’t taste the same as when it’s made and eaten right in PA.

Flickr/Lauren Siegert

While our favorite depends on which part of the state we live in, we might have to learn to live without a Wawa or a Sheetz in our new hometown.

Flickr/Paul Hamilton

How many times have you traveled somewhere, only to meet someone not only from PA but from your corner of the state? No matter where we move, we’re going to meet other transplants who we immediately gravitate toward.

Flickr/Rhys A.

Sports are a big deal to many Pennsylvanians, and that won’t change no matter where we travel. Neither will our loyalty. We’ll take our love of our favorite PA teams with us, even if that means we’re the only Phillies, Pirates, Eagles, or Steelers fan in the stands.

Flickr/Matthew Prosser

Sure, we may have a foot of snow or frigid temperatures, but there will always be those of us who throw on a comfy pair of shorts and a sweatshirt. Because…why not?

Flickr/Amy Gizienski

We’re just used to having five-day Thanksgiving weekends. After all, the Monday after Thanksgiving has traditionally been the first day of hunting season. That’s a pretty big deal for plenty of Pennsylvanians.

Flickr/Nicolas Raymond

Yep, ever hear a Californian refer to their home as CA? We’re likely the only people who refer to our home as PA, not Pennsylvania. It might get us a few weird looks here or there, but it won’t change anything.

Flickr/John Brighenti

The world is a beautiful, exciting place. We might even travel all over, only to find ourselves homesick for PA. After all, there’s no place like home – where others understand our unique jargon and share the same type of life experiences.

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Address: Pennsylvania, USA