5 Reasons Why People Who Don’t Live in Seaside Heights Love to Hate Seaside Heights

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1. That’s where the fun is – and that’s the problem.
Seaside Heights is the ultimate playground: a lively boardwalk, iconic beach, fishing, endless bars, and the aroma of funnel cake that whispers, “It’s your cheat day!” But for those outside the city limits, it’s like watching everyone else’s highlights while you’re stuck on the couch.

There’s an unmistakable FOMO (fear of missing out) that comes with knowing this party happens every weekend and you’re not on the guest list. Nothing sparks envy more than seeing your feed flooded with photos of sunsets on the boardwalk and posts about an epic moment at some bar you’ve never heard of.

People in Toms River tend to look down on Seaside Heights for the traffic problems it creates. Although everyone passes through their town on Route 37, it creates a weekend traffic nightmare from Memorial Day to Labor Day for local residents.

2. Locals receive premium parking while visitors are left in the dust.
Living in Seaside Heights means one thing: parking privileges. It’s like a secret society where locals hold onto their coveted spots, while foreigners end up driving in sad little circles, eventually surrendering to paid parking three blocks away.

Visiting the boardwalk? Prepare to walk so far that when you arrive you’ll feel like you’re finishing a half marathon and your prize will be a $12 lemonade. Meanwhile, locals casually arrive at their designated spots and stroll leisurely to the beach. It’s like Seaside Heights is chasing tourists right now.

3. The chaos of summer meets the ghost town of winter.
The rollercoaster of crowds in the summer and crickets in the winter drives people crazy. In the summer, the boardwalk feels like the universe dumped all of its Sims characters into one little corner of the world. The crowds are so dense that you’re convinced you’ve encountered the population of every state at least once. But when does winter come?

The place becomes a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie, with nothing but the echoes of seagulls and the occasional weed rolling through the closed stands. People outside of Seaside can’t understand how the locals adapt to living in a town with a personality that changes as drastically as the weather.

4. Winter brings subsidized rents and tension.
When the tourists leave, the atmosphere changes. Many homeowners rent their homes to subsidized renters during the off-season. It is a controversial measure that foreigners criticize because it often brings with it increased tensions.

There is a reputation – fair or not – for large riots, and some claim this contributes to crime and drug issues. People who don’t live in Seaside Heights see this as the city’s underbelly emerging when the fun stops, and they don’t hold back their opinions.

5. The police are not cold.
See, it takes a lot to keep the peace when millions of visitors arrive every year. So it’s no surprise that the Seaside Heights police department runs a tight ship. But this sensible attitude is a double-edged sword.

Sure, this keeps things from getting out of hand, but it also means they don’t hesitate to shut down a rowdy crowd, break up beach parties, or fine people for minor infractions. Visitors who arrive in town thinking they’re about to live their best life on “Jersey Shore” quickly discover that this reality show has rules.

So people really hate Seaside Heights? Not exactly. It’s more like that love-hate enemy you just can’t give up on. Everyone recognizes their flaws, but deep down they are just salty and don’t have the keys to the club.