People who live in the Granite State are very proud to live here for so many reasons.  We often say that we have it all.  Mountains, lakes, oceans, countryside AND city life are part of living in the 603.  If you've lived here for a certain amount of time, you have seen many changes to our landscape.  More and more people are discovering the joys of the Live Free or Die state.

I grew up in Nashua, which some wouldn't even consider the REAL New Hampshire, much like people in Maine don't think of Portland as the REAL Maine.  Nashua borders Massachusetts and many come home to the Granite State to avoid the taxes of our friends to the South.  It's a very busy city in every way and some consider it Massachusetts North.

The Monadnock region is where I went to school.  (Go KSC!)  It is a favorite area for foliage in the fall.  Some say there is no prettier place to be than on Mount Monadnock in October.

The Lakes Region of New Hampshire is home to some of the richest people in the world, proven by the price of real estate and the shops in the surrounding towns.  Lake Winnepesaukee (and yes, I spelled that correctly)  is the largest lake in the entire U.S., with 264 islands and 288 miles of shoreline.  That's lots of room to have fun in the sun!

If you live here, you already know these.  If you are considering moving to New Hampshire, take this advice.

Thou Shalt Be an Aerosmith Fan

Even though Steven Tyler was born in Brooklyn, he used to Summer here in New Hampshire at Lake Sunapee as a child.  That's where many Classic songs were created by a teenage Steven Talarico while vacationing here in NH.  Steven still has a house here and when he does go shopping in one of the surrounding towns, it's always a big deal.  Here in NH, we're not cool like that.  We will make a humungo deal out of seeing Steven.  He loves it and so do we.

Thou Shalt Be a Red Sox Fan

If you're a Native of the 603, chances are you grew up watching the Red Sox.  Your heart may have been broken year after year until 2004 when they finally won the World Series after they hadn't won since 1918.  The 'Curse of the Bambino' was finally broken and all was well in the world.  Even though the curse was broken, here in New Hampshire, over the years we've seen an influx of Yankee fans.  And the Yankees will forever suck.

Thou Shalt Never Think That Everyone in Thy State Skiis

This should be a no-brainer, but it's not.  So many people think that everyone must ski if you live in New Hampshire.  It's not true.  I HAVE been on skis, but I didn't like it very much.  Mostly because I was cold.  We DO have world-class skiers like Bodi Miller, however, not EVERYONE loves the snow here.

Thou Shall Buy Booze on the Side of the Highways

This one I've never really understood.  Here in New Hampshire, we have liquor stores DIRECTLY OFF THE HIGHWAY.  Seriously, you don't have to drive WAY inland to find a packy, there's one right off of many Exits on the NH interstates.  It must be because if the state makes it easy to buy, they make more money, amirite Governor?

Thou Shall Pronounce Coos County Correctly

The State of NH has ten counties and people pronounce most of them correctly.  Hillsborough, Grafton, Rockingham, Sullivan (my favorite) Cheshire, Carroll, Belknap, Strafford and Coos.  We're good (kinda) until people get to Coos.  It's pronounced KOH-aas, NOT "KOOZ."

Thou Shall Remember The Old Man of the Mountain

The Old Man of the Mountain was a natural stone formation that looked like the profile of an old man.  I always saw it as a Native American.  On May 3, 2003, the Old Man's face fell.  It was a natural formation, after all, and rocks will change.  It was a sad day.  The profile was and IS the symbol of New Hampshire.  He lives on, however, in a memorial in Laconia, NH.

Thou Shalt Vote in the Primary

The First in the Nation primary is a source of pride for the residents of New Hampshire.  We have one of the first voices you hear about every Presidential election.  That's why every candidate that's ever run, stops in New Hampshire.  If you live here, you absolutely have met more than one, if not several or all of the presidential candidates since you were born.  This is a "must stop" state.  We are not the ones who always choose the winner, but we've had our moments.

Thou Shall Spend Time At Bike Week Every June

If you've not made a visit to Laconia Bike Week, you are missing out on quite a spectacle.  Motorcycles from all parts of the country come to Laconia, Weirs Beach to show off their bikes, get new tattoos and bond with their fellow bikers.  It's a week's long celebration starting on Father's Day.  Scantily clad women, live music, whiskey shots and of course, big-ass bikes all week long.  If you're not into any of those things, you should absolutely go to people watch.  The Weirs attracts all kinds of characters.

Thou Shall Go Apple Picking

One of my favorite times of the year is when my family goes apple picking.  New Hampshire has a ton of orchards to choose from no matter what part of the state you are in.  My two favorites are Mack's Apples in Londonderry and Applecrest in Hampton Falls.  They have mulled spiced cider and cinnamon donuts to eat!

Thou Shall Know Franklin Pierce

Every school-kid here in the Granite State learned about Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the U.S. and the only one from NH.  He was born in Hillsborough where you can still visit his homestead.  The Franklin Pierce School of Law is in Concord and is now under the University of NH College system.

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LOOK: What major laws were passed the year you were born?

Data for this list was acquired from trusted online sources and news outlets. Read on to discover what major law was passed the year you were born and learn its name, the vote count (where relevant), and its impact and significance.

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