I moved from Wisconsin to New York City over a decade ago. Here are the biggest culture shocks that surprise me when I return to the Midwest.

• I moved from Wisconsin to New York City over 10 years ago. • The Midwest still surprises me with its lower prices, larger stores, and emptier airports. • The Midwest's friendliness, passion for football, and strong accents also feel novel to me now.

Since moving from Wisconsin to New York City over 10 years ago, I don't get to travel back to visit friends and family as often as I'd like to.

The longer I go without visiting the Midwest, the more novel it feels when I do return.

Here are 11 aspects of life in the Midwest that now surprise me after over a decade of living in New York.

When I fly out of New York City, the airport is always packed, with long security lines and crowds by the gate. When I land at General Mitchell International Airport in my hometown of Milwaukee, the ai