Bruce Springsteen has consistently favored New Jersey as his sanctuary over the bustling cities of Los Angeles and New York, citing its normalcy and safety for family life, FOX News reported.
New Jersey serves as Bruce Springsteen's chosen place of residence for many reasons, primarily for its familial atmosphere and connection to his roots. Born in Freehold, he has stayed close to home despite his global fame.
In the 1980s and 90s, Springsteen tried living in Los Angeles and New York but felt uncomfortable with the nightlife and pace of life in these major cities. Instead, he longed for the normalcy that his home state of New Jersey offered, which he considered ideal for raising a family.
Springsteen and his wife, Patti Scialfa, parent three children: Sam, a firefighter; Evan, a music content editor; and Jessica, an Olympic silver medalist in equestrian. They decided to stay in New Jersey to provide a stable home away from the relentless media glare of the entertainment industry.
Choosing New Jersey was not only about location but also about the kind of upbringing Bruce wanted for his children. He grew up surrounded by relatives, a support network he wished for his kids. "I grew up on a block that had six houses with my relatives in them, so we came back here," Springsteen recounted. The proximity to family provided a sense of community and normalcy.
Springsteen's fame is universal, yet within his home, his children needed to view him simply as their father, not the icon the world revered. He skillfully kept them grounded, even as they grew up amid his music and the culture that celebrated it.
Despite this, Bruce's children developed a healthy disinterest in his music career. They preferred their musical tastes and pursuits over their father's, demonstrating the efficacy of Springsteen and Scialfa's parenting approach. "They’d be pretty blank-faced if someone mentioned a song title of mine, and I always looked upon that as that we did a good job," Springsteen shared.
Springsteen's perspective on his lifestyle choices reflects a deep-seated appreciation for stability and authenticity. "It’s certainly not Los Angeles," he told reporters. "I feel safe here. This is where my people are, where the folks I wrote about are. I was never a worldly young man."
He chose to remain in New Jersey because he wanted his children to experience life away from the business hub. "A lot of times, we just didn’t expose them to it. They came to concerts a few times before going back to their rooms to play video games, and didn’t know much about it beyond what they may have read," he explained.
Springsteen's commentary touches on the serendipity and satisfaction of coming full circle back to his hometown, where he finds peace in a life that contrasts starkly with the rock star image. "You know, it’s funny. You grow up in a place that you weren’t so sure about for a variety of reasons. Then, whether for nostalgia or the feeling that you’re on solid ground, you find yourself returning. Now I love my hometown."
Springsteen's narrative does not reflect alienation from his own life; instead, he consciously chooses to embrace a simpler existence that underscores the themes in his music. This choice influences not just his happiness but also provides a stable environment for his children to find and follow their passions—highlighting Springsteen’s belief in the virtues of an ordinary life amidst extraordinary fame.
