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The Best NJ Cities for Young Professionals in 2024

Best NJ Cities for Young Professionals in 2022

You don’t have to move to NYC to have good job prospects. If you’re a young professional in NJ, you might want to look locally for jobs. Sure, you don’t have to limit yourself, but NJ is home to 15 Fortune 500 companies and over 750,000 small businesses. Of course, not all cities are created equal. If you’re a young professional, you’ll want a location that has plenty of great jobs, a decent nightlife, and affordable rents or home prices. While it’s getting harder to find all three things, it’s not impossible. If you’re looking to make a move, then below are some of the best NJ cities for young professionals.

Most Affordable and Popular City: Jersey City

Despite its negative reputation, Jersey City has quickly become a favorite among young professionals for a variety of reasons. Jersey City is the second most populated city in New Jersey right behind Newark. Thanks to this, it offers plenty of amenities such as amazing restaurants, great nightlife, and cultural institutions such as the Liberty Science Center. And if that’s not enough, you’re a short PATH ride away from NYC.

Compared to NYC, Jersey City’s rents are affordable. You might see similar prices, but you’re getting a lot more space than what you might find in the best neighborhoods of Brooklyn or Manhattan. There’s also plenty of work in Jersey City. Nicknamed the Wall Street West, Jersey City is home to major financial institutions such as Citigroup, Fidelity Investments, and Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation.

If you like shopping, then you’re in luck! Jersey City has several shopping districts including Newport Mall. Some portions of the city are part of the Urban Enterprise Zone where you can pay reduced sales tax on your items.

Beautiful View from the City: Great Montclair

While technically a town, living in Montclair offers some stunning views of the surrounding area. If you manage to snag a home in higher locations, you can even get views of the NYC skyline. This quirky location offers the trappings of a quiet, suburban life, but also keeps it exciting as they have a lively food scene, wonderful cultural establishments such as Montclair Art Museum and Wellmont Theater, and a bustling downtown. If you’re looking to connect with other young professionals, there are many networking groups dedicated to specific industries and businesses.

While it’s further away from NYC than Jersey City, you can still get there in under an hour via the NJ Transit. Of course, you could drive, but dealing with the traffic getting into NYC and then finding a parking spot might not be worth it. Average rent in Montclair tends to be a bit on the higher side, but you’re getting a lot more bang for your buck. Buying a home also isn’t cheap, but you might be able to find a decent starter home for around $500,000-$630,000.

Best Option to Start a Career: North Bergen

Much is great for people just getting started in their careers. Average rents in North Bergen is around $2,000 with 2+ bedrooms venturing into the $3,000 territory. While this might be high for single renters, it’s a great option if you plan on having a roommate. Not only do you get two actual bedrooms, you can also expect an actual living room and separate kitchen for these prices. That’s more than you can say for 2 bedrooms in Manhattan! And while you don’t have the PATH train taking you to Manhattan, North Bergen does have easy access to NYC thanks to both bus and light rail services. You can also hop on a Jitney commuter bus for access to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station, the Newport Centre, and other local stops.

Much like Jersey City, portions of North Bergen are part of the Urban Enterprise Zone so you pay 50% less in sales tax in these areas. Job-wise, you can choose from a variety of companies though the largest include Hudson News and Liz Claiborne. If you’re in the freight industry, you’ll be happy to know that the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway operate five facilities in North Bergen. After a hard day at work, you can kick back at the New Jersey Beer Company.

Small but Best City for Young Professionals: Hoboken

It might be small in size, but Hoboken is one of the best NJ cities for young professionals for a variety of reasons. The first reason is competitive rents. While the rents in Hoboken are rising due to demand, it still remains cheaper than some areas in Manhattan and Brooklyn. For many, saving a couple hundred dollars a month is definitely worth it. Plus, it’s a short 15-minute ride into Manhattan, making it a faster commute than if you were traveling from some areas of the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens.

Just because you’re close to Manhattan doesn’t mean you have to travel there. In fact, there’s plenty of things to do in Hoboken. Despite its quaint, small-town vibe Hoboken has a wide selection of bars and restaurants to visit due in part to the local college in the area, Stevens Institute of Technology. You can enjoy a pint at Moran’s for a more chummy atmosphere or go clubbing at Wicked Wolf. Want to learn how to decorate cakes? Go to Butter Lane for some delicious pastries and baking classes.

Of course, since you’re so close to NYC, you pretty much have all the benefits of living in NYC without having to pay NYC taxes or prices! It’s the perfect happy medium for those who want the trappings of city life without the price tag.

Small Town with a Great View: Edgewater

This little town might not seem like much at first, but it offers pretty much everything you could want. Of course, there’s the spectacular views of the Hudson, but it also offers fine dining, such as The River Palm Terrace, as well as affordable comfort options. On top of that, it’s a short bus ride to NYC so you can head into the city if you’re tired of the Edgewater scene. While costs have risen over the years, Edgewater still remains affordable. Average rents for a one bedroom is around $2,500 with the average size of an apartment coming in at just over 1,000 square feet. Home prices aren’t cheap, but you can find something for as low as $500,000.

What sets Edgewater apart from the other areas is its diversity. It is a very ethnically diverse area and boasts the largest Japanese-American concentration in New Jersey when combined with nearby Fort Lee. It’s home to Mitsuwa, a very large Japanese grocery store that offers Japanese produce, snacks, and pastries. There’s also a Whole Foods for organic produce and Trader Joe’s if you want something a bit more affordable. There are five other shopping areas where you can enjoy local restaurants, shops, and more.

Ready to Make Your NJ Move?

There are so many amazing places to live in NJ, but if you’re a young professional, you probably want to stay close to the action in NYC without having to live with 4+ roommates. In that case, these NJ city options are a great starting point.

If you’re ready to move, make sure to hire trusted NJ movers (like us). They’ll help get you settled into your new place as soon as possible.

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Pros and Cons of Living in NJ While Working in NYC

Pros and Cons of Living in NJ While Working in NYC

Many New Yorkers might consider NYC the best city in the world, but not everyone feels the same way. Sure, there are plenty of perks to living in The Big Apple such as world-class restaurants, storied cultural institutions, and hard-to-beat convenience. However, access to everything New York City has to offer doesn’t come cheap. Renting in NYC is expensive for the size you get and overall cost of living is significantly higher than other parts of the United States. On top of that, you have to pay extra tax for living in NYC!

Instead of staying in NYC, many people have opted to move to New Jersey for the cheaper rents and larger living spaces. In fact, around 320,000 people commute from NJ to NYC on a daily basis! Before you decide to take the plunge you should first familiarize yourself with all the aspects of living in NJ and working in NYC beforehand.

Pros of living in New Jersey while working in NYC

There’s a lot to love about live in New Jersey and more people are starting to leave the city for greener pastures. Here are some reasons why people are making the decision to live the commuter life.

Location

New Jersey has access to several large cities: New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. No matter where you live, you’re not far from a major highway and there’s also many public transportation options that can shuttle you between NYC and Philadelphia.

If you want more time in nature, New Jersey offers plenty of outdoor options from hiking to skiing to camping. It’s also home to Wharton State Forest, which is the largest single tract of land within the NJ State Park System with over 120,000 acres spread across three counties. During the summer you can enjoy the many beaches New Jersey has to offer. While the Jersey shore might have gotten a bad rep due to the reality TV show, there are plenty of towns that boast beautiful beaches such as Wildwood Crest, Cape May, Stone Harbor, and Ocean Grove.

If you plan on commuting to New York City for work, you’ll want to focus your search on the northern part of New Jersey. The popular locations in New Jersey tend to be those that have direct access to the PATH trains which can take you into Manhattan in about 15-20 minutes. Of course, due to its proximity to Manhattan, you can expect to pay higher rents but it’s worth it if you don’t want to waste 30+ minutes on your morning and evening commute. In some cases, commuting from Hoboken or Jersey City might actually be faster than commuting from some of the outer boroughs, especially if you work in Midtown.

Speaking of location, New Jersey is also home to Newark International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world just behind Kennedy International Airport in New York City. The airport is easily accessible by the NJ Transit system and you can find a direct flight to almost anywhere in the world. It’s perfect for people who travel a lot either for business or pleasure.

Lower Cost of Living

One of the biggest reasons why people choose to move to New Jersey while still working in NYC is because it’s cheaper. Sure, cities like Hoboken and Jersey City might see comparable prices, but you’re probably getting more indoor and, in some cases, outdoor space. Heck, it might even be feasible to buy an actual house in New Jersey for the price you would pay for a co-op or condo in NYC. With that said, New Jersey has some of the highest property taxes in the United States, so if you do choose to buy, make sure you know what you’re getting into.

Your salary also goes a lot further in New Jersey. The cost of everyday necessities such as food, gas, and utilities tend to be lower. Plus, your paycheck will go further in New Jersey because you’re dealing with fewer taxes. Say goodbye to the New York City income tax and hello to a lower income tax. While you will need to file two tax returns if you live in New Jersey and work in NYC, you will receive a tax credit for any taxes that you paid for New York. That prevents you from being taxed on the same income by both states. Just make sure to file your New York State tax return first to receive the tax credit.

Speaking of taxes, you’re also paying less in sales tax overall. New York has a sales tax of 8.875% while New Jersey has a sales tax of 6.625%. If you shop in an area that is designated as an Urban Enterprise Zone, you will only have to pay half the standard sales tax rate. You’re saving money while you shop!

Great Quality of Life

If you have kids or plan on having them, one of the most important choices when choosing your home location is its school system. Luckily, New Jersey has some of the best schools in the nation. In fact, New Jersey has the second-highest high school graduation rate with around 90.6 percent of students graduating and the state’s public school has been named one of the best in the nation. Of course, that depends on where you live. If you have children, you might want to move to the following school districts:

  • Millburn Township
  • Princeton
  • Ridgewood
  • Tenafly
  • West Windsor-Plainsboro
  • Livingston

New Jersey is also home to the prestigious Princeton University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Rutgers University, and Seton Hall University.

You’re also not missing out on too much even if you don’t live in the heart of NYC. New Jersey has plenty of cultural institutions, entertainment, restaurants, and other amenities to the point where there’s no reason to really go into NYC. If you’re a lover of the arts, then you’ll be thrilled to know that New Jersey is home to 700 arts organizations. Sports fans can head over to the MetLife Stadium to watch both the NJ Jets and NYC Giants play. Afterwards, you can grab a bite at some of the delicious restaurants that dot the state. Speaking of which, if you’re looking for some of the best NY pizza slices, they’re in New Jersey!

Cons of living in New Jersey while working in NYC

Living in New Jersey isn’t all sunshines and rainbows. There are some downsides to consider before you decide to make your move.

It’s not New York

There’s something about New York City that is enticing to people from around the world. For some, it’s the possibility of making it big in their field whether that’s as an actor, tech innovator, or investor. For others, the convenience of NYC is the biggest draw. Everything you could possibly want is at your fingertips and can probably be delivered to your door. And since the public transportation system is fairly reliable, you don’t need a car in NYC. In fact, about 50 percent of NYC residents don’t have a driver’s license.

While you can get a lot of those same benefits in certain areas of New Jersey, the further away you get from the city, the fewer amenities you can expect. Plus, places like Hoboken and New Jersey City might be busy, but even it simply doesn’t have the same energy as NYC. Some people thrive off that buzz. If that’s you, it can be hard to find that anywhere else.

Commuting

The PATH train might not be horrible, but if it goes down you don’t have too many other transportation options to get into the city besides a ferry and maybe a bus. In the worst case scenario, there might not even be any alternative transportation options. This issue becomes worse the further away from NYC you move so if you have to depend on NJ transit buses or trains, you might not be able to make it into work.

Unless you work directly off the PATH or NJ Transit stops in Manhattan, your commuting costs will be higher than if you live in NYC. Sure, the PATH train costs the same as a fare, but since you cannot use your monthly Metrocard for the PATH, you’re effectively paying double the price if you need to take the subway to your job. It’s the same for the NJ Transit trains and buses. The fares aren’t too expensive, but it adds up when you combine it with your subway fare.

The unreliability of public transportation is one of the reasons why many New Jersey residents opt to drive to work. This comes with its own costs, of course. You’ll have to pay for insurance, gas, maintenance, and more. Plus, you’ll have to deal with horrible traffic during rush hour. What should be a 20 minute drive will often take over an hour during the morning and evening commute. You’ll also have to pay high tolls to get into NYC.

Property Taxes

In almost every other aspect, New Jersey is cheaper when it comes to taxes. That is until you get into property taxes. New Jersey has some of the highest property taxes in the United States. If you plan on buying a home, you can end up paying a very high tax rate depending on the area. In most cases, the cities/towns with the best schools tend to have the highest property taxes.

While property tax rates tend to change over the years, the average property tax for a home in New Jersey (2.42%) is nearly three times the amount as in New York City (0.88%). Of course, you might end up paying more in actual tax in NYC versus New Jersey as your rate is calculated by multiplying the taxable value of your property by the current tax rate for your property’s tax class.

And while you have the benefit of owning your home instead of renting, it also comes with more costs. In general, when you rent you don’t have to pay for heat or hot water. However, when you own your home, you have to pay for everything! That means extra bills on top of your mortgage, homeowner’s insurance, HOA fees, taxes, etc. This can really eat into your savings.

Moving to New Jersey

Once you’ve weighed the pros and cons of living in New Jersey and commuting to NYC it’s up to you to decide whether you want to relocate or not. If you do decide to make a move, make sure to call up qualified NJ movers to help you out so you can get started on the right foot.

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Why You Should Live in Newark, NJ – Complete Guide

Living in Newark, NJ Complete Guide

Are you dreaming of living near NYC, but prefer to keep your rent prices down? Then look no further than Newark, NJ. This bustling city offers plenty of amenities so you can easily live, work, and play here. Of course, if you ever want to visit New York City, it’s a quick train ride away, which means you’ll always have something to do. If you’re interested in moving to Newark, NJ, read the below guide to see if it’s the right city for you.

Important Things to Know About Newark

Busiest City in NJ

Newark is the most populous city in New Jersey with a population of around 311,000. Measuring a total of 25.89 square miles, it has the third-smallest land area among the 100 most populous cities in the US. Its large population is due to the abundance of jobs due to being one of the nation’s major air, shipping, and rail hubs as well as its proximity to New York City.

One of the Oldest Cities in the U.S.

Settled in 1666 by Connecticut Puritans led by Robert Treat, Newark was created to be a theocratic assembly of the faithful. This didn’t last long as new settlers arrived bringing different ideas. Eventually, in 1693 it was organized as a township and granted a charter in 1713. It eventually was incorporated in 1798.

In addition to being one of the oldest cities, Newark is also home to the oldest municipal commercial airport – Newark Liberty International Airport. Built in 1928, it was the first municipal airport in the nation and was the busiest in the world until LaGuardia was built in 1939.

Moving to NYC Made Easy

If you get tired of Newark, New York City is just around the corner. Newark is serviced by NJ Transit and can get you to Penn Station in under 30 minutes. While NJ Transit is more expensive than taking the PATH train, it’s still cheaper than taking a taxi or Uber. The trains run every 10 minutes during rush hour and every 20-30 minutes during off-peak times.

If you’re not close to the train station, there are also many bus stops in Newark that will take you to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC. While not quite as fast as the trains, it can often be more convenient as you can request the bus to stop at specific locations.

While there’s currently no ferry that takes you to Newark, there has been talk from the Hudson County Planning Department to expand service to Port Newark, though this hasn’t been approved yet. If you really want to travel by water, you can take a boat to Paulus Hook ferry stop, but you’ll need to take a taxi from there to Newark, which takes around 15-20 minutes.

Prefer to drive? It’s almost a straight line from Newark to the Holland Tunnel, which connects to Downtown Manhattan. If you work in Midtown, then you’ll need to travel a bit further north to access the Lincoln Tunnel. Either way, driving can take almost three times as long as taking public transportation so you might want to leave the car at home.

Development of Newark

Newark earned a reputation for being a dangerous city. However, since the 1990s it has transformed due to infrastructure investments from Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group and Prudential Financial. The mayor has also worked hard to ensure healthy and sustainable growth while managing gentrification. One such project includes the Teacher’s Village, a hybrid development complex with schools, a community learning center, retail, and affordable apartments.

Newark hasn’t stopped there. In addition to revitalizing the business sector, there is also a push to enable residents to become homeowners at more affordable costs dubbed the Homeownership Revitalization Program. Residents who have lived in the area for 5+ years could buy a house for as little as $1 with a few key restrictions including:

  • Qualified buyers must live in the house for at least 10 years
  • The property must be used for construction of a one, two, three, or four bedroom house
  • Buyers can only purchase one property

So if you’re looking to move to Newark, then now is the time!

Official Wards of Newark

Newark is New Jersey’s largest and second-most racially diverse city. It consists of five official wards, though residents have broken these wards into smaller neighborhoods.

  • North Ward – home to the historic district of Forest Hills, the North Ward contains many older mansions and colonial homes. It is also home to the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart and to Branch Brook Park, which has the largest collection of cherry blossoms. In fact, it has 600 more than in Washington, D.C!
  • South Ward – If you’re in the healthcare profession, the South Ward is the place you want to live as it is home to the city’s second-largest hospital – Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. It’s also great for families as there are a total of 17 public schools just in this area alone.
  • Central Ward – home to around 55,00 residents, it also boasts many historical sites such as Kreuger mansion, Eberhardt Hall, and the Abyssinian Baptist Church. It’s also the hub for Newark’s higher education as you will find Berkeley College, NJIT, Rutgers, Essex County College, and Seton Hall University School of Law here.
  • East Ward – known as the Ironbound, it’s perfect for foodies as you’ll find more than 170 restaurants, wine shops, and specialty food stores. If you get tired of eating, you can walk around and enjoy the wide variety of local stores.
  • West Ward – once predominantly an Irish-American, Polish, and Ukrainian neighborhood, over the years the demographic has become more diverse as more Latinos, African Americans, and Caribbean Americans have moved in. The West Ward offers some lovely historic sites such as the Fairmount Cemetery and the lovely Ivy Hill Park.

Largest Schools and School System in Newark

Newark’s public school district is the largest school system in New Jersey with over 60 schools ranging from elementary to high school. While Newark’s public school might not rank as the best in New Jersey, there are some great options such as Science Park High School ranked in the top 100 of the 322 schools statewide. There are also several private schools that serve children from pre-k to high school giving you plenty of options.

When it comes to higher education, Newark is home to multiple first-rate colleges and universities, most notably Rutgers University-Newark and Seton Hall University School of Law. While it might not fall into the Ivy League category of schools, Rutgers offers competitive undergraduate and graduate degree programs. For those looking to get into law, Seton Hall University School of Law is the top-ranked law school in New Jersey and ranked in the top 100 in the nation.

Largest Employment Sectors in Newark

More than 100,000 people commute to Newark every day, making it New Jersey’s largest employment center. There are plenty of jobs available regardless of what industry you want to join. And while it may no longer be the thriving industrial complex it used to be, there is still a decent amount of industry and light manufacturing.

Newark is most known for being the third-largest insurance center in the United States only behind New York City and Hartford, CT. Some of the largest companies originated in the city including:

  • Prudential Financial
  • Mutual Benefit Life
  • Fireman’s Insurance
  • American Insurance Company

It is also home to 19 Fortune 500 companies including Merck & Co Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Verizon Communications, Bank of America, and more.

Newark has also quickly become a hub for technology ever since Audible moved its headquarters to Newark in 2007. Since then other companies have followed suit including Panasonic and WebMD. One notable technology company that garnered attention was AeroFarms. This aeroponics company eventually built the world’s largest indoor vertical farm in a Newark warehouse. You don’t have to be a big tech company to do well in Newark, though. The city has attracted venture capitalists and startup accelerators, making it one of the best places to launch your next tech startup.

Of course, many people also commute out of Newark for work. With NYC only 30 minutes away, you have practically unlimited options. Plus, if you work in NYC you’re getting NYC pay without having to pay NYC taxes. Heck, your income tax is lower in NJ as well. Just make sure that when you file your taxes you complete your NY one first. Then NJ will provide you with a tax credit for anything you paid over the NJ income tax amount.

Living in Newark Is Cheaper or Not?

When compared to a place like New York City, Newark is significantly cheaper. With that said, there are a couple of areas where living in New Jersey might be slightly more expensive. Perhaps the biggest drawback is the high property tax. New Jersey has the highest property tax of any state at 2.42 percent compared to the national average of 1.07 percent. Newark itself has an even higher average property tax at around 3 percent. Transportation is another area where you might end up spending more. While Newark does have excellent public transportation options if you want to have flexibility in where and when you travel you will want to own a car, which ultimately means gas, insurance, and maintenance payments.

However, the savings you receive likely outweigh what you might spend on transportation and even property taxes. The latter you really don’t need to worry about unless you buy a home. And since the majority of Newark residents are renters, you probably won’t have to worry about property taxes at all. At first glance, housing costs might look expensive. The average rent for an apartment is around $1,500 though this varies depending on the location, size, and quality of the apartment. However, when you compare the costs of rent to NYC, you get more bang for your buck. For the cost of a small studio apartment in NYC, you can get a nice two-bedroom in Newark.

When it comes to general living expenses, you’ll find you’re spending much less money on groceries, entertainment, and shopping. In fact, if you shop in the parts of Newark that are a part of the Urban Enterprise Zone, you can take advantage of the reduced sales tax of 3.3125 percent compared to the standard 6.778 percent.

Safety Issues and Crime Alerts

Newark earned a bad reputation for being a dangerous place. Much like other large cities, Newark definitely has unsafe areas. However, thanks to the strides it has made in developing and transforming the city, it has become much safer overall. Your best bet is to avoid walking around by yourself late at night.o, but that’s generally good advice anywhere you decide to live.

If you’re raising a family, some of the safest neighborhoods are found in the North Ward. You’ll want to avoid areas in south neighborhoods as you have a 50 percent chance of being a victim of crime compared to the 3 percent chance in north neighborhoods. Your best bet is to use your judgment and avoid places that give you a bad feeling.

Newark’s Population Overview

Newark has a population of around 311,549 making it the 62-most populous municipality in the United States. The median age is 34.4 years old and despite being home to several universities, only around 11 percent of the population has earned a Bachelor’s degree.

Newark has a relatively diverse population though the majority of residents are African American. White people make up around 26.3 percent and Hispanic or Latino make up 33.8. Asians make up a small portion of the population at 1.6 percent. It’s the second most racially diverse city in New Jersey second only to Jersey City.

Is the Climate Hot or Cold?

Newark’s climate lies between a humid subtropical and humid continental climate. That translates to cold winters and hot, humid summers. In general, Newark doesn’t suffer too much from extreme weather, but the most common issue the city experiences is both inland  and coastal flooding.

Other common natural disasters that occur include:

  • Tropical storms and hurricanes
  • Drought
  • Landslides
  • Winter Storms

Amazing and Fun Activities to Do in Newark

As the largest city in New Jersey, there’s plenty to do in the area whether you’re a nature lover or into the performing arts. 

  • Performing Arts – You don’t need to head into NYC to enjoy some amazing performing arts programs. Newark is home to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark Symphony Hall, and New Jersey State Opera.
  • Museums – Newark is home to New Jersey’s largest museum – The Newark Museum of Art. Its collection is ranked 12 among art museums in North America and highlights American and Tibetan art.
  • Newark Murals – Since 2009, the city of Newark has sponsored Newark Murals, a series of outdoor murals about various people, places, and events in the city. The largest mural is The  Portraits mural which is the length of 25 football fields and is the longest continuous mural on the East Coast and second longest in the country.
  • Experience the Cherry Blossom Festival – While Washington, D.C.’s Cherry Blossom Festival attracts people from around the country, Newark’s Branch Brook Park actually has the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the United States. With over 5,000 trees in more than eighteen varieties, you can enjoy the soft pink hues that usher in the spring.
  • Eat at Diverse Restaurants – Newark is a great place for foodies. It is home to one of the busiest airports in the nation, and as such has cuisines from all over the world. Venture into the Ironbound, Newark’s top dining destination, and enjoy food from Portugal, Spain, Italy, and more.
  • Walk along the waterfront – Once you’ve enjoyed all that Newark has to offer, enjoy a relaxing stroll along the chain of parks along the Passaic River. During the summer, you can even take kayaking or riverboat tours and enjoy a different view of the city.

Moving to Newark, NJ

If you want to stay in a relatively busy city but don’t want to pay NYC prices, then Newark has a lot to offer. In fact, you might never need to step foot in NYC if you don’t want though the option is always there. Once you’ve weighed the pros and cons of living in Newark, NJ, call up trustworthy NJ movers like us!

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What You Need to Know Before Moving to NJ from New York

What You Need to Know Before Moving to NJ from New York

There’s a certain excitement to New York City that many other cities simply can’t replicate. There’s always something happening regardless of the time of day and regardless of what niche interests you might have, chances are you’ll find your people. NYC’s diversity is what often draws people to it. Still, while 150,000 people move to the city every year around 100,000 people move out for a variety of reasons.

If you’re considering a New Jersey move, there are a few things you should consider before taking the plunge. You’ll want to set some expectations beforehand so you’re not disappointed after moving to NJ. Once you have all the information and are ready, make sure to give us a call!

Tax Differences Between Two Cities

One of the biggest differences between New York City and New Jersey is the taxes. New York might have the highest state and local taxes combined at 12.7%, but New Jersey isn’t too far behind at 12.2%. More importantly, you’re not making the extra New York City tax even if you end up living in New Jersey but working in the city. Depending on your salary, you could be saving thousands of dollars at the end of the year. Yes, you’ll have to file in both states, but New Jersey lets you take the tax you already paid as a credit against your New Jersey tax liability.

Shopping is also less expensive in New Jersey. Regardless of what borough you live in, you will have to pay an extra 8.875% in sales tax. In comparison, New Jersey’s statewide sales tax is 6.625%. Some areas are even lower if they are in designated enterprise zones. For example, if you shop in Jersey City, the sales tax is only 3.5%!

The one area where New Jersey beats New York when it comes to taxes is property tax. In fact, New Jersey has the highest property tax in the country at 2.4%. Even in New York City, property tax reaches a max of around 1.925%. Still, considering how much you’re saving in other areas, it might be worth it to pay higher property taxes since you’ll be bringing more money home.

Commuting System: Which Is Better?

While NYC has excellent public transportation options, New Jersey isn’t too shabby either. The state has a low rate of car ownership at 29 cars per 100 people and you really don’t need a car as you can get pretty much anywhere via the PATH train, Amtrak, and NJ Transit. You can easily access NYC and Philadelphia with no issues.

If you live in Jersey City or Hoboken, NYC is a short 15 to 20 minute train ride away on the PATH. Cost-wise, you pay the same amount of money as you would for a one-way Metro Card. However, you do not get free transfers like you would if you were riding the subway. If you plan on taking the subway anywhere else, you’ll have to pay the cost of another ride.

When it comes to taking the NJ Transit or Amtrak, prices increase drastically as it is directly tied to the distance you travel. You’ll need to plan out your trip carefully as well as the trains don’t come as often as the PATH with some arriving once an hour.

As good as NJ public transportation is, it’s hard to stack it up against NYC since the subways run 24/7 and if one of the train lines goes down, you have other options to choose from. Of course, you’re comparing the transit system for a city versus an entire state so there are going to be differences when it comes to convenience and reliability. If you want to get around the state easily, your best bet is to get a car. Just remember that owning a car means extra costs such as gas, insurance, tolls, etc.

Affordable Housing Comparison Between Two Cities

Even in expensive cities like Hoboken and Jersey City, apartment costs are significantly lower when compared to NYC. The prices might look similar, but instead of only paying for a one-bedroom for $3,000/month, you’re getting a two-bedroom. The extra space is one of the major reasons many people move to New Jersey despite working in NYC.

If you’re looking to expand your family, buying a house is much more affordable than trying to buy an apartment in NYC. Sure, some locations aren’t cheap, but you’re getting an entire house versus an apartment in a building. You’ll have more space to work with and, depending on the area you choose, some nice yardage where you can relax and enjoy the weather. Plus, you’re building equity. Unlike apartments where your monthly rent doesn’t pay for anything, your mortgage payments go towards paying off your home. Eventually, you’ll own the house completely and can pass it on to your children. Even better, you’re able to deduct the interest you paid on your mortgage up to $1 million in mortgage debt.

Of course, being a homeowner also means you are responsible for everything. If something doesn’t work in your NYC apartment or the roof leaks, you just need to call the super or building manager and they will send someone to fix it. You don’t have to worry about paying for it since maintenance is included in your rent. When it comes to a home, you’re responsible for everything. That also means paying all the bills including heating, water, taxes, and even trash collection in some places. And that’s on top of potential repairs and maintenance. It can definitely add up so make sure you factor in these monthly costs to see if you’re truly ready for homeownership.

Check the Weather in Both Cities

While NYC has its fair share of extreme weather events, New Jersey hasn’t escaped unscathed either. In many cases, New Jersey often faired worse than NYC when it came to catastrophic weather due to its geography. Being located along the ocean means there are great beaches, but also extreme weather patterns you’ll need to contend with. You’ll be in the range of hurricanes and nor’easters. If you’re thinking about moving to Hoboken, consider finding a place on higher ground as Hoboken has a habit of flooding.

When you’re not dealing with storms or blizzards, you get to experience the full gamut of seasons and experience the beautiful and colorful display during the fall and spring seasons. Winters tend to be cold but bearable and the average summers tend to be hot and humid. Still, New Jersey has 130 miles of coastline to enjoy during the summer months.

Hire Professional NJ Movers for Your Move

It’s important to understand to pros and cons of moving to New Jersey before committing to an apartment or home. You want to be as prepared as possible before taking the plunge. Once you’ve done your research and made your decision, reach out to trusted NJ movers to help you with your relocation. We at NJ Great Movers have been working in New Jersey for over 10 years so we can help you get organized and situated. You have enough on your plate so let us take the moving part out of the equation!