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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!

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How to Live in Jersey City, NJ A Complete Guide

How to Live in Jersey City, NJ A Complete Guide

Finding affordable housing in Manhattan is high impossible, which is why so many young professionals have started eyeing places like Jersey City. With its affordable rents and close proximity to New York City as well as its own bustling downtown area, it’s a perfect place for people who want the best of both worlds. If you’re considering a move to Jersey City, then this guide is for you! Read on to get all the information before you decide to make your big move!

Important Things to Know About Jersey City

It’s Crowded

Jersey City is the second-most populous city in New Jersey right after Neward. It also has the third-highest population density of any US city with over 100,000 people behind only New York City and San Francisco. With so many people, it’s not surprising that there’s a lot to do when it comes to activities, dining, and entertainment. However, if you’re hoping to get away from the busy streets of New York, Jersey City does offer some quiet pockets where you can live in peace and quiet.

It’s Called Wall Street West

You’ve probably heard of Wall Street, but over the years Jersey City has become one of the largest centers of banking and finance in the United States. It’s home to large financial institutions such as UBS, Chase, and Citibank to name just a few.

Easy Access to NYC

If you get tired of Jersey City, New York City is just around the corner. You can easily take the PATH train to the World Trade Center in just under ten minutes. From there you can reach midtown in around 20 minutes. This makes it closer to some parts of Queens and Brooklyn. Let’s not even mention Staten Island! If the train is down, there are also ferries that can take you to different parts of Manhattan and New Jersey so you have plenty of transportation options. You can also get to other parts of New Jersey via the light rail lines.

The Statue of Liberty and Most of Ellis Island is Part of Jersey City

Millions of people flock to NYC to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, but both are actually part of New Jersey! You can easily access both iconic landmarks via Jersey City’s Liberty State Park. The area is called “The Gateway Region” because of how many US citizens have emigrated through these shores.

Jersey City Neighborhoods

Jersey City is a large and populous city so there’s plenty to discover in each of its neighborhoods. While they might all be part of the same city, each area offers something unique. Luckily, there’s something for everyone so you should be able to find a place that you like.

  • Historic Downtown – if you’re looking for a night on the town, Downtown Jersey City is the perfect place as it is filled with bars, quality restaurants, clubs, and excellent shopping. As the name suggests, the area is known for its historical architecture and gorgeous brownstown buildings. Mixed in are awesome modern wall murals and high rises. It’s a great place for young professionals and even families as it is home to Hamilton Park that offers a playground for kids, a dog park, and even tennis courts.
  • Newport – located along the waterfront, this area might technically be part of Historic Downtown, but it has its own vibe as it features more modern and luxury buildings and businesses. It also is home to the Newport Centre Mall that is home to four anchor tenants and 167 other stores and attractions.
  • Exchange Place and Paulus Hook – Exchange Place is home to some of the largest financial institutions. As you would expect, it’s full of high rise buildings and bustling restaurants for the busy workers. Right next door is Paulus Hook, a residential community filled with brownstones, restaurants, and cafes.
  • Journal Square – located at the intersection of Kennedy Boulevard and Bergen Avenue, Journal Square is the central transportation hub for Jersey City. As such, it’s home to plenty of businesses and has a bumping nightlife. It’s also home to Little India, a district with the highest population of Asian Indians in the Western Hemisphere. So if you’re looking for some authentic Indian fare, go to Journal Square.
  • The Heights – Located in the north end of Jersey City, this area sits atop Hoboken and overlooks Mile Square. You can easily access the area by food from Hoboken if you want some great views of Manhattan. It’s a perfect location for those who like the outdoors as it is home to Pershing Field, Riverview-Fisk Park, and Western Slope.
  • Bergen-Lafayette – This mostly residential neighborhood is great for people who want to get away from the nightlife. There’s a nice mix of historical and modern architecture with its Victorian houses and art deco apartments.
  • Greenville – If you want to start or have started a family, Greenville is a great option as it’s home to some of the best schools in Jersey City including Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High school.
  • The West Side – As the name suggests, this neighborhood is located on the West side of Jersey City surrounding West Side Avenue. It’s home to Lincoln Park, one of the largest county parks in Hudson County.

Schools in Jersey City

Jersey City offers plenty of highly-regarded educational institutions making it a great place to raise a family. In fact, with so many young professionals moving to the area, the public school system is expanding and improving to help accommodate all the new transplants.

One of the best public schools in New Jersey is located in Jersey City – the Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School. This school is ranked 3rd in the state! Besides this, it’s also home to The Cornelia F. Bradford School. There are also many other options to choose from including charter and private schools, all of which have produced good test and college readiness levels.

When it comes to higher education, Jersey City is home to New Jersey City University, a four year university that offers a wide variety of undergraduate majors and even graduate courses. You can also attend Hudson County Community College where  you can get your associates on a wide variety of majors and eventually transfer your credits to a four-year program.

Jersey City Jobs

As referenced above, Jersey City is home to one of the highest concentrations of financial institutions in the United States. It’s home to some of the largest financial institutions including UBS, Merrill Lynch, Chase Bank, Citibank, and Goldman Sachs. It is also the headquarters of Verisk Analytics and Lord Abbet, a privately held money management firm. Other companies such as Computershare, ADP, IPC Systems, and Fidelity Investments also do business out of the city.

Of course, it’s not just home to big finance. Jersey City also offers plenty of jobs in different markets including retail thanks to its many small shopping areas and, of course, Newport Mall and hospitality as there are plenty of restaurants and bars in the area. If you’re in the health sector there are several hospitals and clinics around the city so you can definitely find a job. With the growing number of transplants, there are also a lot of startups popping up around the area.

Cost of Living in Jersey City

If you’re used to the high cost of living in New York City, you’ll be happy to find that Jersey City is generally cheaper. More importantly, your take home pay may even be bigger as you won’t be subject to NYC taxes which can range from 2.9-3.9 percent of your annual income. On top of that, New Jersey federal taxes are lower than New York State, which can make your life much more affordable.

Besides the taxes, living in Jersey City is overall cheaper. While rents aren’t cheap by any means, you definitely get more bang for your buck. A $2,500 one-bedroom in Jersey City gets you almost double the space as a comparably priced one-bedroom in Manhattan. There may even be cheaper options available if you’re willing to look into different neighborhoods and housing options. Naturally, the closer you get to the waterfront, the higher the rent prices. High rise apartments will also cost you more as they also offer various amenities like swimming pools, gyms, and concierge services. Of course, you can find more affordable options as you move away from the water. You can still find apartments in Greenville and Bergen-Lafayette for under $1,500.

When it comes to groceries, health, and even utilities, you’ll be spending a lot less in Jersey City than you would in New York City. Heck, even restaurants and bars are slightly more affordable! Interestingly, the only utility that might be more expensive is your internet. Still, that’s a small price to pay when you’re saving so much in other areas. The best part is that you’re still super close to NYC so you don’t have to miss out on anything.

Safety and Crime

Okay, so how safe is Jersey City? Since the 1990s, Jersey City has slowly seen a decrease in crime rate though due to the relative size of the city there will always be some issues. For the most part, it’s generally safe to walk around in most areas during the day time. Downtown Jersey City and Exchange Place tend to be the safest areas of Jersey City. In general, the further away you get from the trains, the less ‘safe’ the areas are. With that said, it’s still relatively safe so long as you are aware and alert.

In terms of crime, the most common tends to be property crime though it’s still below the national median and below New Jersey’s average. There is some violent crime, but in general you can avoid getting into any trouble by not walking around late at night.

Jersey City Demographics

Jersey City has a population of around 292,449 people with a relatively even split between women and men – around 100 women for 100.1 men. The median age is 34.2 years old and the majority of residents are educated with around 44.9 percent of the population holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Jersey City is one of the more diverse cities in New Jersey with a healthy mix of people of different races. White people make up around 35.4 percent with Hispanic or Latino making up 28.8, Asians making up 25.4 and Black making up 24 percent. It’s no surprise that the area is so ethnically diverse as it is a major port of entry for immigration to the United States and a major employment center due to its close proximity to New York City.

Living in Jersey City, Jersey City Weather

Jersey City Weather

Jersey City’s climate is considered a humid subtropical climate, similar to that of New York City. That means you get hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters. For the most part, Jersey City doesn’t experience too many extreme weather events, but due to its proximity to the ocean it is susceptible to tropical storms and the occasional hurricanes.

In 2012 when Hurricane Sandy hit, half of Jersey City lost power and large sections of the Downtown area got flooded and needed to be evacuated. In order to prevent a similar problem in the future, the state has invested $43 billion to place barriers along the southern portion of New Jersey’s River waterfront.

Fun and Exciting Things to Do in Jersey City

There’s no shortage of things to do in Jersey City and there really is something or everyone. The city is full of history, great food, and plenty of art and live music. No matter what your interest or age, you can definitely find something to do.

Watch some live music or theater – If you love live music and theater then you’ll want to visit  the Landmark Loew’s Theater in Journal Square. This venue has been around since the 1920s and has hosted many concerts, theater, and performing arts throughout the years.

Walk along the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway – Enjoy views of Manhattan while getting some fresh air. This boardwalk runs along the western shore of the Hudson River and it’s free to access!

Enjoy street art – unlike other cities, Jersey City encourages street art with their Jersey City Mural arts program. There are hundreds of officially sanctioned and unofficial outdoor works of arts. Some of the best places to see them include:

  • Downtown Jersey City
  • Grove Street
  • Powerhouse Arts District
  • Jersey Heights
  • Near the Holland Tunnel

Experience the Downtown street fair – Every year since 2011, Jersey City hosts the All About Downtown Street Fair. Hundreds of vendors set up on Newark Avenue between Grove Street and Coles street for an amazing spectacle. You can get one-of-a-kind art pieces here and enjoy delicious eats.

Visit the local eateries – if you’re a foodie, Jersey City has some seriously great options. The city is home to a Michelin rated restaurant called Bohemia. Of course, Michelin stars aren’t the only thing that matters and there are plenty of delectable options from tacos to ramen and everything in between.

Moving to Jersey City with Professional Movers

Jersey City is one of the fastest growing cities in New Jersey. Whether you’re single or someone looking to raise a family, there’s a neighborhood for you! If you’re hoping to make a move, make sure to contact NJ Great Movers as we have plenty of experience moving people to Jersey City from Manhattan and other parts of New Jersey. Reach out to ask for a free quote!