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Definitely Maryland, as someone who has lived in both. Both states have a similar mid-Atlantic culture (well at least South Jersey). This is particularly noticeable between the Baltimore suburbs and the Philly suburbs of NJ, in terms of similar accents and so on. There's a reason Flacco has fit in so well in Baltimore. Additionally, both states are known for being wealthy and having a very diverse population. Finally, both states have four distinct cultural regions, which I am giving the arbitrary names below:
1.) "North" - North Jersey/ Baltimore & burbs
2.) "South" - South Jersey/ DC burbs
3.) "Shore" -Jersey Shore/ Eastern Shore of MD
4.) "West" - Northwestern NJ/ Western Maryland
You could also throw in "Central" - Central Jersey/ Howard/Anne Arundel Counties, MD. Keep in mind the grouped regions aren't necessarily similar (NNJ is nothing like Baltimore for example).
Differences I've noticed: Black population much larger in MD. Culturally, way different than NNJ, but similar to SJ as mentioned earlier. Also, MD has strong county government and weak or nonexistent local municipal govt (which is something I think NJ should move towards). However, this means everyone's civic pride and identity is county-based, something I don't like (New Jerseyans love their towns).
On a separate note, I've always thought that if NJ got its act together, Newark could definitely prosper and supplant or at least match Baltimore's place as the 5th city of the northeast. It has one of the country's most important airports, one of the most important seaports, transit links like no other, and a major league team (had 2 for a while, matching Baltimore). Small things like changing the Meadowlands mailing address to Newark could potentially make a big difference in people's perceptions about the city.
If MD taxes are high like NJ, then they're similar.
I believe southern Ohio is redneck-y like parts of southern NJ. Monster trucks covered in mud, hounds running loose, cars up on blocks, dating close relatives, etc.
Moving here to Central NJ after having grown up in Ohio there are several things that remind me of Ohio, but there are several differences...
1.) Climate is almost identical to what I grew up with in Northern Ohio, I haven't been through a winter yet but what I am hearing is it's a little milder here in Jersey..
2.) Topography is more hilly here than where I grew and lived for over 10 years in Cincinnati. However it reminds me of NE Ohio.
3.) Plants, trees, etc remind me of Northern Ohio not Southern Ohio.
As for the Redneck commits about Ohio as there is a lot of agriculture and rural areas. The majority of the people live in the three C's.
If MD taxes are high like NJ, then they're similar.
I believe southern Ohio is redneck-y like parts of southern NJ. Monster trucks covered in mud, hounds running loose, cars up on blocks, dating close relatives, etc.
Well NJ is on a different level when it comes to taxes, but people definitely complain about Maryland as well. The governor is a tax and spend progressive (just an observation, no political message intended).
As for rednecks, well every state had redneck areas.
Maryland is one of the states most similar to NJ in the country in culture and human geography, along with Connecticut. Ohio and New Jersey have very little in common, culturally, at least as far as US states go.
Climate/geography is more similar to Maryland, too, with the Eastern Shore and the Jersey Shore fairly similar, and Panhandle being a somewhat more dramatic version of Sussex/Warren Counties.
If anything NJ looks most similar to Westchester or Long Island.
Maryland is mostly generic cookie-cutter subdivision type houses..And a few older (70's) style ranches/raised-ranches....well at least the parts of MD i've been to (dc suburbs)
Maryland is a tax and spend state. Many residents call it the Peoples Republic of Maryland. And the Democrats have morphed into Socialists or Demo-Socialists. Our current governor, who wants to be your president, coined the term "New Americans" to refer to illegal aliens. You guys should be happy to have a two party state.
The inner ring eastern suburbs of Cleveland (Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights) feels just like Montclair. There are alot of people here from Jersey. I grew up in Teaneck, NJ and now live in Shaker Heights, Oh. My dad is from Montclair, NJ. My son goes to school in Cincinnati and that area has more of a southern feel. I lived in Randallstown, MD and that did not feel anything like NJ or Oh. Just my 2 cents.
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Lived in all 3 areas - no one answer
