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The Best Up and Coming NJ Places to Move to in 2025

The Best Up and Coming NJ Places to Move to in 2025

While mortgage rates might have leveled off, housing prices are still going up in New Jersey, especially in locations where people can easily commute to NYC or Philadelphia. Since 2012, New Jersey’s overall population has increased by 4 percent with some locations growing by more than 20 percent! Of course, the cost of houses in these popular areas are also going up significantly. Before the prices get too out of control, you might want to consider looking at these New Jersey towns.

Westwood

Known as the Hub of the Pascack Valley, Westwood offers easy commutes to New York City. In fact, you have multiple forms of public transportation to choose from. Hop on the NJ Transit line at Westwood station to get you to Penn Station or transfer at the Hoboken Terminal for access to other transportation options including the PATH, New York Waterways, or the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail. You can also catch a NJ Transit bus that will take you to Port Authority Bus Terminal. 

But you don’t need to leave Westwood to enjoy some amenities. The Downtown area is a regional hub that offers plenty of shopping and dining options. Go to Westwood Cinema and enjoy a movie or check out Fritz Deitl Ice Rink to brush up on your ice skating. Otherwise, go to the community center to check out the many events happening throughout the year. 

While Westwood is by no means cheap, it is more affordable in comparison to its neighbors. Median home prices are around $650,000 and expected to go up in the next few years.

Barnegat Township

Located along the Southern shore of New Jersey, Barnegat Township population has steadily grown since 2000. This is due in part to the town’s focus on building 55-plus housing. In fact, two of the largest builders in this field – Lennar and D.R. Horton – have constructed nearly 600 age-restricted luxury homes, adding to the already 3,000 homes available. Besides 55-plus housing, the town is also building certain areas along the waterfront to encourage more professionals and young families to move in.

This is a great town if you love the outdoors. Even with all the new construction, the area still has a fairly rural feel with the majority of the township being taken up by the Manahawkin Wildlife Management Area to the east and Greenwood Forest Wildlife to the west. Both locations offer extensive hiking trails, making it perfect for those who want to enjoy some nature. Manahawkin is one of the few remaining salt marsh and transitional woodland coastal habitats in New Jersey. On the other hand, Greenwood Forest is the largest tract of land preserved by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife with over 95,000 acres.

So long as you don’t try to get a home close to the water, you can easily find a nice home here for under $400,000.

Griggstown

At just under 50 miles away from NYC, Griggstown is in that sweet spot where it’s a bit too far away to be considered an easy daily commute to NYC but just close enough to still have access on the weekends. As such, it’s not seen as an attractive option for people who want to work in NYC, but it’s definitely a great place for young professionals and families as the town is very safe and, for those with kids, great schools!

When it comes to activities, Griggstown is perfect for the outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy a scenic walk along the Princeton Highlands/Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve Trail. It’s a lovely trail during all seasons and you get to enjoy a shallow wading brook if you head south or a wide open meadow if you head north! If you prefer a more structured outdoor activity, Griggstown is home to the Bunker Hill Golf Course where you can practice your swing. After a game, head over to Griggstown Farm to buy some seasonal produce.

Griggstown is a great area and as such has a pretty high price with homes selling for almost $500,000. But, if you want to live in a quiet area but still be close enough to a big city, it’s a great option.

Hackensack

While it might not be the most populated city in New Jersey, Hackensack is the most populous municipality in Bergen County with a population of over 45,000. As such, it’s a great place for people who want to have ‘city’ amenities without paying city costs. And, at just under 15 miles away from New York City, it’s the perfect place for young professionals to move to if they want to save some money.

Hackensack is served by three train stations on the NJ Transit Pascack Line with two of them going to Hoboken Terminal. There are also multiple buses that take you to Port Authority Bus Terminal and still more that take you to other major hubs such as Newark and Jersey City. Downtown Hackensack has plenty to offer from delicious restaurants to bars and clubs. If you want to relax a bit, you can enjoy views of the Hackensack River at Foschini Park.

Despite all of these perks, Hackensack is pretty affordable with home prices averaging under $350,000, that is if you can find it. Hackensack has more renters than homeowners, and average rents are high with one bedroom apartments going for around $2,200.

Bayonne

Bayonne has become more popular as Jersey City continues to grow and expand. With more affordable housing and rent, Bayonne is attracting young professionals who don’t mind commuting a little longer for work. As such, the area has seen a huge growth in restaurants, bars, cafes, retail shops and more! It’s a perfect place for young professionals who want to stretch their dollar.

Despite its proximity to NYC, Bayonne was not on many people’s radar until around the early to mid 2000s due to it being designated as an Urban Enterprise Zone. This allowed businesses to hire locally while also encouraging shopping thanks to the reduced sales tax. Thanks to this, more businesses started moving to the area and now there are over 200 businesses that make up the Bayonne Town Center. The revitalization of the downtown area, Bayonne has brought back popular attractions including the Bayonne Hometown Fair which was revived in 2015.

Home prices and rents are expected to increase, especially once a ferry terminal gets built, but for now you can find houses for under $450,000 and one-bedroom apartments renting out for under $2,000. Prices won’t stay this low though as more people realize how convenient the area is!

Prepare for Your NJ Move

Whether you choose the locations listed above or find a place that suits your needs better, NJ Great Movers is here to help with your transition. Our trained team can walk you through the process so you get a better understanding of what we offer and what you need. From there, we’ll make the move as easy and stress-free as possible. So reach out to us for your free estimate!

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The Best NJ Towns for NYC Commuters

5 Best NJ Towns for NYC Commuters

Around 973,000 workers commute daily into NYC with New Jersey accounting for 42% of that total. That number is projected to increase by 10 percent by 2030 as more people are leaving the city due to higher cost of living and the desire for more space. Of course, with more people moving to New Jersey, the cost of homes have skyrocketed. Luckily, even with the higher costs, you’ll still be getting more space for the money that you do end up paying. Plus, there are plenty of other benefits to living in New Jersey such as lower income taxes and sales tax, more access to nature, excellent public schools, and close proximity to both NYC and Philadelphia.

If you are looking to make a move to NJ, but aren’t sure where to go, then hopefully this guide will help you choose your next home.

Madison: The Best Town in NJ

While certainly not as close as some of the other locations on this list, Madison, NJ is considered one of the best towns in New Jersey for several years running. It’s an easy drive to NYC, but you can also take the train to Penn Station, which will take around 50 minutes. Home to Florham Campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison is a college town in the best way as you’ll be able to enjoy plenty of restaurants, boutiques, and cafes. The town even boasts a community theater where you can enjoy stage plays, live music, and more!

Unsurprisingly, Madison has some of the best public schools in the state and is also incredibly safe, making it a perfect place if you have a family or plan on starting one soon. Home prices tend to be on the more expensive side, though and you can expect to pay at least $600,000 for an actual home. Still, the idea is that you’ll be living there for years to come, so it is well worth the investment.

Hackensack: A Great Option to Live in NJ

If you still want a slightly urban feel while still having a bit of space from your neighbors, then Hackensack is a great option. And even if Hackensack doesn’t offer everything you want, you’re only 12 miles northwest of Manhattan. You can easily drive to the city or take the NJ Transit bus, which should take around 40 minutes depending on traffic.

With a population of around 46,000 people, it is the most populous city in Bergen County. It also houses the Metropolitan Campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University, which focuses on business and professional majors. Thanks to both the college and its proximity to NYC, Hackensack has diverse neighborhoods with almost 39 percent of the population being immigrants. For foodies, the diversity means a wider range of cuisines to choose from!

As you might expect, the proximity to NYC means Hackensack tends to have a higher cost of living, but it is still significantly lower than if you lived in NYC proper. In fact, you can buy a house for around $400,000, making it more affordable than Madison, NJ.

Teaneck: Full of Nature and Charm in NJ

For those who want a bit more nature, Teaneck is an amazing option as it is home to the 46-acre Teaneck Creek Conservancy. This gorgeous park provides a variety of programs throughout the year for adults and children alike and also doubles as a eco-art gallery as it has numerous permanent and temporary exhibits. More importantly, you can get to NYC easily by car or public transportation in about 30-40 minutes! It also has some of the best schools in the state, making it a highly desired place to live for people with children. As you might expect, home prices are on the higher end with the average around $500,000.

It is home to around 41,000 people, making it the second most populous town in Bergen County behind Hackensack. With that said, it has more of a suburban feel than Hackensack though it does have a quaint downtown with plenty of options for eating and shopping. For history buffs, Teaneck is a treasure trove of history being a key location during the Revolutionary War due to its location near the center of the original thirteen colonies. In fact, around 100 battles were fought in Teaneck!

Union City: A Perfect Fit for Young Professionals in NJ”

While not as close as Hoboken, Union City is still only 15 minutes away from NYC via public transportation. In fact, if you end up in a luxury apartment, you can probably see NYC from your window! Despite its close proximity to NYC, it’s still relatively affordable in comparison to other locations such as Hoboken. Due to the pandemic, more people have discovered this gem so prices are going up. Still, you can expect to pay around $1,500 to rent a one bedroom apartment.

Union City is perfect for young professionals as it provides everything you would expect of a city. There are plenty of options when it comes to nightlife, food, entertainment, and more. It’s also very pedestrian-friendly so you can often leave your car at home if you just want to grab something quick to eat or drink. And while it might not have waterfront views or a multi-acreage park, there are still plenty of neighborhood parks where you can enjoy nature.

Montclair, Most Quick Move City in NJ

If you’re looking for that picturesque suburban life, then Montclair, NJ should be at the top of your list. There are numerous public transportation options that can easily get you to NYC in 45-50 minutes. Despite being a suburban town, Montclair is very walkable, making it a favorite location for out-of-towners. Unlike Union City, Montclair is fairly well known and seems to attract media employees from outlets such as the New York Times, Newsweek, and more. Most residents are commuters to New York City and the Metro Area. Housing prices are not cheap and average around $600,000. Average rent is also around $2,000 for a one bedroom.

What sets Montclair apart from other towns in NJ is its focus on the arts. Enjoy a play at Whole Theatre or Wellmont Theater and then check out the Montclair Art Museum or one of the several smaller galleries around town. If movies are more your thing, then watch some indie films at the Claridge Cinema. You can also catch some live music playing in one of the many small theaters dotting the town.

Make Your NJ Move Relaxed

Of course, NJ is home to many other towns and cities, but the ones listed provide different options for people looking to move away from NYC. If you’re ready to make the move, make sure to get in touch with professional NJ movers, like us! Just give us a call and we can provide an estimate and answer any questions you might have about your move.