Choosing the perfect location to raise a family or operate a company requires time and thought. “Is New Jersey A Good Place To Live?” is a question many ask, and if New Jersey isn’t already on your radar, you’re losing out.
This East Coast treasure continues to draw people and families from all over the world who are searching for excellent healthcare and education, fun recreational opportunities, a diversified landscape, and many other things.
Within an hour’s drive from central New Jersey, you may reach New York City, Philadelphia, the ocean, or the mountains. New Jersey is a rather comprehensive state for its size.
New Jersey residents understand that it is the ideal location to live, work, and play. Here are the reasons New Jersey could be the best option for you if you’re considering moving soon for either personal or professional reasons.
Is New Jersey A Good Place To Live?
Yes, New Jersey is an excellent place to live. Renowned for its diverse culture, top-notch healthcare, and educational systems, it offers a blend of urban and rural settings with easy access to major cities. The state boasts a temperate climate, beautiful beaches, and a rich history.
While it has a high cost of living and taxes, its amenities, opportunities, and strategic location make it a sought-after destination for many. Whether you’re seeking vibrant downtowns, green parks, or historical landmarks, New Jersey has it all.
Never-Ending Possibilities
“Is New Jersey A Good Place To Live?” Many would respond with a resounding “yes” given the state’s vast offerings. New Jersey is the finest place in the United States to live, work, and play. The state offers everything, from artistic downtowns with breweries and cafés to green parks and historical landmarks.
New Jersey is a bustling blend of rural and urban, charm and culture, with easy access to metropolitan centers in every direction, including a brief rail journey into Manhattan or Philadelphia.
New Jersey has mountains, beaches, lakes, and urban landscapes that are ideal for romantic evenings or daily excursions.
The nearby John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) are all conveniently close to New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which is also located there.
With so many options available, New Jersey can genuinely carry you anywhere. According to WalletHub’s ranking of the Happiest States in America, New Jersey was maybe chosen as the “most mentally and physically fit state” for this reason.
Arts & Culture
“Is New Jersey A Good Place To Live?” Yes, according to art and culture buffs. New Jersey boasts several vibrant downtowns that are packed with art galleries, performing arts centers, one-of-a-kind boutiques, restaurants, and other cultural attractions.
After visiting the Montclair Art Museum, stroll Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair for boutique shopping and international food.
Enjoy a day exploring Lambertville’s antique shops and art galleries. Somerville is well known for its street fairs, outdoor music festivals, and arts and craft exhibitions. With dance, music, comedy, and dialogues, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark uplifts and educates.
A variety of upmarket merchants and small companies may be found in Red Bank, including Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash, a comic shop run by well-known New Jerseyan Kevin Smith. Visit the indie bookstore Words Matter in Pitman and see a performance at the Broadway Theater.
Garden State
New Jersey has been dubbed the “food capital of America” by Public Radio International (PRI) and the “most edible state” by Savuer.
The thriving immigrant populations, the farm sector, and the greatest restaurant density in the world all influence New Jersey’s cuisine culture. Every culture, taste, and delicacy is cherished in New Jersey.
“Is New Jersey A Good Place To Live?” For food enthusiasts, the answer is a definite yes. The New York Times has ranked Razza, which makes New York’s greatest pizza, as one of the top restaurants in Jersey City.
The go-to neighbourhood for modern takes on traditional Portuguese, Spanish, and Brazilian cuisine is Newark’s Ironbound District.
The greatest Indian food in America, including dosas and biryani, can be found in Edison and Iselin. “Cake Boss” Buddy Valestro makes his renowned cakes and cannoli at Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken. Since 1946, the White House Sub Shop in Atlantic City has been producing its renowned hoagies.
Pork roll (also known as Taylor ham) and tomato pie are Trenton specialties. The finest farm-to-table cuisine may be found in Princeton’s upmarket restaurants.
Farmers Markets, Wineries & Breweries
“Is New Jersey A Good Place To Live?” For those who appreciate fresh produce, fine wines, and craft beers, the answer is a resounding yes.
New Jersey is a leading producer of cranberries, peaches, and the best tomatoes in the nation, living up to its moniker as “The Garden State.” Fruit and vegetables that are “Jersey Fresh” can be purchased at a farmer’s market or at a farm stand along a rural road.
The Blueberry Capital of the World, Hammonton, offers pick-your-own blueberry farms. You may also get fresh food, artisanal cheese, and regional honey at the Collingswood Farmers Market.
Delicious New Jersey wine may be made because to the favorable soil and temperature conditions in our region. In actuality, the closest New Jersey vineyard is never more than 45 minutes away from any location in the State.
Craft beer enthusiasts should try Top Sail from Cape May Brewing Company, which was named Best Beer in America by Beer Connoisseur in 2017, or Pork Roll Porter from Flying Fish Brewing Co., which is the unofficial beer of New Jersey. The number of craft brewers in New Jersey has grown to 134.
Sports & Stadiums
“Is New Jersey A Good Place To Live?” For sports enthusiasts, the answer is undoubtedly yes. Sports are an important part of the booming entertainment scene in New Jersey.
Football, soccer, and hockey major league teams all call our state home. The Prudential Center’s representative is the NHL ice hockey team from Newark, the New Jersey Devils.
The New York Giants and the New York Jets both play in MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, despite having a New York-based moniker. The New York Red Bulls MLS football team and NJ/NY Gotham FC (formerly Sky Blue FC) of the NWSL are both situated in Harrison, New Jersey.
The collegiate sports scene in New Jersey is likewise quite strong. Several D1 teams call us home, including Seton Hall basketball, Rutgers football, and Rutgers basketball. The East Division of the Big Ten is home to the prestigious Rutgers football programme.
Leisure Activities
New Jersey offers fascinating leisure activities due to its four seasons and geographical diversity. Rafting down the Delaware River, discovering wetlands in Atlantic County, or skiing at Mountain Creek Resort are all great outdoor activities.
Biking and hiking are both excellent activities at the Sourland Mountain Preserve. “Is New Jersey A Good Place To Live?” Golf enthusiasts might say yes, especially since Pine Valley Golf Course is the best in the nation, according to Golf Digest.
Branch Brook Park in Newark is home to more than 5,000 cherry blossom trees (more than Washington, D.C.) that bloom during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in April.
Frelinghuysen Arboretum or Grounds for Sculpture are two popular botanical and sculpture gardens. In 2018, HomeToGo.com ranked Island Beach State Park as the best state park in the nation.
There is a lot of Revolutionary War history in New Jersey. George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River in 1776 is regarded as the “Crossroads of the Revolution” in Trenton.
General Washington’s residence and the winter camp of the Continental Army are preserved by the Morristown National Historical Park.
Is New Jersey A Good Place To Raise A Family?
“Is New Jersey A Good Place To Live?” When it comes to families, the consensus is clear: absolutely. Often hailed as one of the safest, healthiest, and most desirable places in the nation, New Jersey stands out as a top choice for residence.
Because of its diversified neighborhoods and top-notch educational systems, New Jersey stands out as a prime location for raising a family. We are thus regarded as the best state in the nation to raise children.
The foundation of education in New Jersey begins with the superb pre-K and primary schools. The best state for early childhood education is New Jersey. For two years running, the public education system in New Jersey has held the top spot in the nation.
The top public school in the nation, Bergen County Academies, and the top STEM high school, High Technology High School, are both located in our area.
The Top 500 Healthiest Communities 2021 list included ten New Jersey counties, with Hunterdon County and Morris County ranking in the top 25. Money magazine listed Paramus as one of the Top 50 Best Places to Live in America for 2021–2022.
Is New Jersey A Good Place To Live? Pros and Cons
If you’re pondering the question, “Is New Jersey A Good Place To Live?”, you might want to consider a few factors before deciding to relocate to The Garden State. As with any major relocation, you should weigh the pros and cons of settling in this picturesque state.
Living in the Garden State has numerous advantages. But in this post, we’ll focus on the top five. These aspects might either enhance or deter your decision to move, given that New Jersey is indeed a commendable place to reside.
Pros of Living in New Jersey
Good weather
“Is New Jersey A Good Place To Live?” When it comes to weather, many would say yes. New Jersey boasts a temperate climate, with frigid winters and hot, humid summers. Only three of the year’s twelve months are truly cold, contrasting with several northern states.
The wintertime temperatures in the north and south of the state, however, differ noticeably. Jersey’s climate may be categorized as subtropical in the south and more continental in the north.
The average temperature in January, the coldest month, is -1°C (30°F), while the average temperature in July is 23°C (74°F).
The spring season, which lasts from March through May, is quite chilly. From June through August mark the beginning of the sweltering and muggy summer. The coldest months of the year are from December through February, with temperatures beginning to dip in the autumn from September through November.
Location
The state of New Jersey is not very large. This indicates that the majority of attractions are close to one another. Additionally, the state’s eastern border is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, which is home to some of the most beautiful beaches.
In addition, the state is bordered by New York to the north and northeast, Delaware to the west, and Pennsylvania to the southwest.
And because of a first-rate public transport network that makes use of the road, train, air, and water, inhabitants may easily travel inside the state as well as to neighboring states.
Infrastructure for public transport was developed and maintained with $4.359 billion throughout the course of 2021. One of the best public transit networks is found in the state. As a result, getting around is really simple.
Health Care
According to US News Week, New Jersey has one of the top five healthcare systems in the country. You can count on this state to provide top-notch healthcare.
Consider some of the best medical centers in the region, including Hackensack University Medical Centre, Saint Barnabas, Robert Wood Johnson, and Morristown Medical Centre.
Furthermore, New Jersey Family Care, a government financed health insurance programme, offers free or affordable health insurance to eligible citizens regardless of age.
Cons of Living in New Jersey
As with any state, there are advantages and disadvantages to migrating. The main drawbacks of living in New Jersey will be highlighted in this section.
High tax burden
Sadly, the state has a reputation for charging its citizens hefty tax rates.The income tax rate, which ranges from 1.4% to 8.97%, and the sales tax, which is 6.6%, are two examples.
In fact, one study found that New Jersey residents are predicted to pay the highest lifetime tax burden. According to the research, New Jersey citizens will pay $931,698 in taxes on average over the course of their lifetimes.
In terms of how much its citizens pay in taxes, New Jersey is among the top five states in the nation. The expense of state government is one of the key causes of the high tax burden.
High cost of living
With hefty sales taxes, income taxes, and property taxes, it’s no wonder that the cost of living in New Jersey is also regarded to be quite high.
In addition to groceries and utilities, the cost of renting or purchasing is one factor that significantly raises the cost of living. Additionally, as was already said, property taxes are astronomically high compared to those in the rest of the nation.
Additionally, estimates from 2022 indicate that the Garden State’s per-gallon cost is $4.27, far more than the national average. Also if you own a car, you should budget for an annual cost of $1,319 for auto insurance.
Food prices are also a major contributor to the overall cost of living in this state, where they are higher than the national average.
Congested traffic
This may not be an accomplishment, but New Jersey has been rated as having the worst traffic congestion and bottleneck in the country.
According to some website, the number of cars crossing the George Washington Bridge during the first eleven months of 2021 has increased by 17%, from 89.5 million to 106.2 million.
The public transit system, which is quite well organized, is one option you may want to consider. This may enable you to reduce the cost and duration of your journey and may be more environmentally friendly.
However, if you insist on using your own car to work and other locations, you must be ready to endure some of the worst traffic jams in the US.
Conclusion
In conclusion, is New Jersey a good place to live? Yes, it is. New Jersey sets the bar high. The state is dedicated to social responsibility and supports organizations, communities, and enterprises that advance peoples cause.
New Jersey is a place of opportunity. With a 45% minority population, it is the fourth most diverse state in the country. It is the finest place to live, work, and play in the United States.
So, when pondering if New Jersey is a good place to live, remember it offers everything, from artistic downtowns with breweries and cafés to green parks and historical landmarks. New Jersey truly has it all.