We are not upstate! 9 facts that prove it

The No. 1 chip on our collective local shoulder? Being called "upstate."

We wouldn't even call us "downstate" (too negative!). We are part of the New York Metropolitan Area, and we've got the taxes to prove it!

But in case that's not enough for you, here's some more proof that Rockland, Westchester and sometimes even Putnam are not, in fact, "upstate" at all.

1. Our federal boundaries.

The U.S. Office of Management and Budget says the New York Metropolitan Statistical Area stretches to Orange County west of the Hudson and Westchester County on the east (sorry, Putnam). Basically, the federal government says we're part of the New York Metro area. So could referring to us as "upstate" be considered treason?

2. Mass transit.

The MTA handles mass transportation for the New York metropolitan area, all the way up to Orange and Dutchess counties. Who handles mass transportation upstate, you ask? Nobody. Because there are no masses up there.

3. That inspection sticker on your windshield.

If you register a car in Rockland or Westchester, it has to meet the same emissions standards as New York City. The DMV defines the metro area as "the five counties within New York City or the counties of Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland or Westchester." And we pay more, too (of course). The inspection costs more than twice as much in our region, and diesel-powered vehicles in the area require an additional Diesel Emissions Inspection smoke opacity test. Just two of the many things that would be cheaper if we lived upstate (which we don't).

4. TV and radio

National television networks are generally broadcast via local affiliates, so you receive your local market's news and weather. And what is our local affiliate? Why, New York City, of course. Even Suffolk County on Long Island doesn't share New York's channels. Counties further north (you know, "upstate") get their media from Albany. We also get New York City's radio stations here.

5. We're south of Long Island (sometimes).

Nobody considers Long Island upstate. So how does the northernmost point on Long Island — Orient Point — stack up to our area? The most, well, upstate:

• Orient Point: 41.1453° N

• Pleasantville: 41.1364° N

• Armonk: 41.1286° N

• Spring Valley: 41.1144° N

• Upper Nyack: 41.1078° N

Oh, and Montauk, by the way: Long Island's South Fork? It's upstate of Pearl River, Palisades, Tappan, Yonkers, New Rochelle, Mamaroneck…

6. Commuter taxes

The state Department of Taxation and Finance has designated Westchester, Rockland and Putnam (heck, even Dutchess and Orange!) as part of the New York Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District. So if we're taxed like we're part of New York City's inner circle... it's because we are.

7. Courts

The Ninth Judicial District (which includes Rockland, Westchester, Putnam, Orange and Dutchess) is part of the Second Judicial Department, along with Kings, Queens, Richmond, Nassau and Suffolk Counties – none of which are "upstate."

8. Jail

The Upstate Correctional Facility is indisputably upstate; Malone is practically in Canada. So where, pray tell, is the Downstate Correctional Facility? Fishkill, which is all the way up in Dutchess!

9. Geography

Seriously, guys. Just look at it. In what universe is this "up?"