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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.

 

NYC vs. New Jersey Tax Differences

Tax Category NYC Rate (%) New Jersey Rate (%) Difference (%) Notes
State + Local Income Tax 12.7% 12.2% 0.5% higher in NYC NJ residents avoid NYC city income tax.
Sales Tax (General) 8.875% 6.625% 2.25% higher in NYC NJ has a lower statewide sales tax.
Sales Tax (Enterprise Zones) 8.875% 3.5% (Jersey City) 5.375% higher in NYC Big savings when shopping in NJ EZ zones.
Property Tax Up to 1.925% 2.4% 0.475% higher in NJ NJ has the highest property taxes in the U.S.

 

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 taxes. 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 they are 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.

 

NYC vs. NJ Housing Affordability Breakdown

Category NYC Avg Cost NJ Avg Cost Difference Notes
1-Bedroom Rent $3,000–$3,800 $2,200–$2,800 NYC is ~30% higher NJ often gives larger layouts for similar costs.
2-Bedroom Rent $4,500–$6,000 $3,000–$4,200 NYC is ~40% higher Many NJ cities offer 2BR for the price of a 1BR in NYC.
Median Condo Price $900,000–$1.3M $450,000–$750,000 NYC is ~60% higher Condos in NJ offer more space and lower HOA fees.
Median Single-Family Home Price $1.2M–$1.8M $550,000–$850,000 NYC is ~70% higher Buyers get entire homes + yards instead of apartments.
Avg Monthly Homeownership Costs (Utilities + Maintenance) $450–$700 $350–$600 Slightly cheaper in NJ Homeowners cover all repairs; renters have maintenance included.
Avg Property Size (Rental) 450–700 sq ft 750–1,100 sq ft NJ offers ~50% more space Extra space is a major reason NYC workers move to NJ.
Mortgage Interest Deduction Up to $750K Up to $1M NJ allows a higher deduction NJ homeowners enjoy higher tax-deductible mortgage limits.

 

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 fared 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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General

Certificate of Insurance for Moving (COI)

Certificate of Insurance for Moving (COI)

If you’re moving to a new apartment or condo, you might hear from your new building management that you need to provide a certificate of insurance before you can move in. In fact, many luxury buildings require you to provide a certificate of insurance (COI) for moving, which means you’ll need to hire professional NJ movers. NJ Great Movers provides our COI directly to the management team, but we also send it to you so you can keep it in your files. Even though you don’t have to worry about the COI, it’s still a good idea to understand the form.

What is a COI and Why Do You Need It?

A certificate of insurance (COI) essentially is proof that the movers you are using have insurance and are able to cover issues should something go wrong. It will list out the insurance the movers have, along with the liability and loss coverage. This way, if anything happens to the building, such as damage or injury, the mover’s insurance covers the cost of repairs or accidents.

Most reputable moving companies, like NJ Great Movers, can easily procure and provide a COI to your building management company. Although there is no standard for what a certificate of insurance should look like, most businesses use the form created by the Association for Cooperative Operations Research and Development (ACORD). A COI generally includes the following information:

  • Date of issue
  • Information about the certification of insurance
  • An insurance agent or broker who produced/issued the certificate
  • Name and address of the business covered by the policy
  • Liability insurance coverage (general, commercial auto, umbrella, and workers’ compensation)
  • List of insurers
  • Coverage in dollars each policy provides
  • Description of operations, locations, and vehicles
  • Expiration date of insurance
  • Signature of agent, broker, or authorized representatives

While not all buildings will require a COI, if you live somewhere with a doorman or hands-on super, chances are your move won’t happen if you don’t provide one. That means you’ll have to scramble for last-minute storage space for your belongings and reschedule your movers. That’s extra money you probably don’t have! Even if your building says they don’t need one, it’s still a good idea to provide a COI just in case. Why? Because a COI also protects you!

As an example, let’s say you move into a building that doesn’t require a COI. You then move your stuff in, but damage the walls and maybe even the elevators! Maybe you even get a parking ticket during the move. You will be held liable for these damages and have to pay for any repairs and tickets out of pocket. This could cost you thousands of dollars! There’s also the matter of your belongings. If it gets damaged during your own DIY move, you will have to cover the entire cost of replacement or repair. This can get costly if you own a lot of high-value items.

On the other hand, you don’t have to worry about any of that if you hire professional movers. They will shoulder the responsibility for any damages done to the building and, of course, take care of any parking tickets that were for their vehicles. Your items are also automatically protected by something called released value protection, which will cover up to $0.60 per pound per item for free. If you want, you can spring for the more expensive full value protection. If something gets damaged, the movers will either try to fix, replace, or eventually reimburse you for the damaged items. Ideally, the professional NJ movers wouldn’t damage anything since they are highly experienced and know how to maneuver tight corners and narrow hallways.

 

Types of Insurance Covered in a COI

Insurance Type Purpose / Coverage Typical Coverage Limit (USD) Notes / Example
General Liability Covers property damage or bodily injury caused by the movers during the move (e.g., wall damage, elevator scratches, visitor injury) $1,000,000 Protects both the building and you from lawsuits or repair costs
Auto Liability Covers damages or accidents caused by moving company vehicles while transporting your items $1,000,000 Includes parking tickets or damage caused during loading/unloading
Umbrella Liability Provides extra coverage beyond general and auto liability for catastrophic events or large claims $5,000,000 Acts as a safety net for rare but costly incidents
Workers Compensation Covers medical expenses and lost wages if a moving company employee is injured while handling your belongings $1,000,000 Ensures you are not held liable for worker injuries during the move

 

Even if you don’t think your building needs a COI, call up your super or building management company and ask. They will probably appreciate the heads up, and most prefer their tenants to use moving companies anyway, as it reduces the chance of potential issues in the future.

There’s also another hidden benefit of asking for a COI. It shows whether the company you chose is reputable or not. All legitimate moving companies are required to carry a minimum amount of insurance. The best moving companies provide more than that. For example, NJ Great Movers has the following insurance:

  • $1 million limit for commercial general liability
  • $1 million limit for automobile liability
  • $5 million for umbrella liability
  • $1 million for workers’ compensation

Asking for a COI early on in the moving process is a good litmus test to see how trustworthy the movers are. If they aren’t able to provide one or they only provide the bare minimum when it comes to insurance coverage, you’ll have enough time to look for other movers.

When requesting a COI, always ask for a copy. That way, you can also check the information. While most movers are legitimate, there’s always the chance you could run into a scam company. So even if they do provide a COI, it could be fake or not up-to-date. When looking at the COI check to make sure the name and address match what is listed on the company’s website. Also, check the expiration date of the insurance to make sure the company is still covered. You should also make sure the COI is filled out exactly like the sample. Otherwise, the building will reject it! While most buildings will find these errors immediately, you can save yourself a lot of back and forth and potential stress by catching these things early.

NJ Great Movers Simple COI Process and Steps

If you work with NJ Great Movers, we make the process of requesting a COI as seamless as possible. With that said, you’ll still need to do a little legwork. Naturally, your first step is confirming with both your buildings whether you need a COI to move in and/or out. While you’re on the phone, see if a COI is needed to reserve the freight elevator. If that’s the case, let us know so we can expedite the process. You’ll want to reserve a time as soon as possible to avoid conflicts with other people. After all, you don’t want to waste an hour or two waiting for the freight elevator! After that, get in touch with your property manager(s) and get a sample of the COI, and then send it over to us.

We’ll take over from there. We’ll send the sample COI over to our insurance company so that they can fill out the forms properly. Our team will also check to make sure all of our insurance has expiration dates after your move date and provide the appropriate insurance and coverage amount. Once we’ve double-checked everything, we’ll send a copy to your management company and to you. That way, if they somehow miss the email, you will have a copy on file. We do ask that at least a week before your move date, you confirm with the property managers that they received the COI and that everything is in working order. Just in case, we’ll also bring a hard copy of the COI with us on the move date, as there have been a few occasions where the security guard and/or doorman on duty did not have the COI we had sent on file. This way, we can prevent any delays in your move!

Our goal as professional and trusted NJ movers is to make your move as smooth and easy as possible. That’s why we triple-check everything to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Thanks to our decades of experience, we can cover even the most complex building management requirements. Just let us know as soon as possible so we can get the process started!

Conclusion

Getting a certificate of insurance might sound daunting at first, but if you work with trustworthy moving companies like NJ Great Movers, we make the process as easy as possible. You can rest assured knowing that we will take care of everything come moving day and that if anything should happen, you won’t have to worry about paying.

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Moving Tips

How to Move in New Jersey During COVID-19

How to Move in New Jersey During COVID-19

Despite the 2020 pandemic, moving companies have been operational as they are considered an essential business. As the number of cases has dwindled and vaccines have started to roll out, New Jersey has also started to reopen. However, there are now multiple variants, so it’s still important to follow safety precautions.

While moving today might be easier than it was a year ago, you and your movers should still follow certain safety procedures to make sure that they aren’t potentially spreading COVID-19. When done properly, these steps can help reduce the chances of a new outbreak and hopefully help achieve herd immunity. Below are some steps you should take when moving during COVID-19 in New Jersey.

Make Sure to Sanitize and Wipe Down All Your Belongings

Even if you don’t have to worry about COVID-19, it’s still a good idea to clean your belongings before you pack them away. By doing so, you’re reducing the risk of transporting germs and other issues like mold to your new apartment. You don’t have to spend hours sanitizing everything, but you should give a good wipe down to items such as cups, bowls, utensils, etc. If you have the time to spare, you should also wash your clothes and bedding so that they’re nice and clean when you get to your new place. There’s nothing worse than having to do laundry right after a big move!

Besides cleaning your personal items, take some time to wipe down all the surfaces in your old place, especially areas that you touch a lot like countertops, doorknobs, light switches, etc. Also, don’t forget to clean the rest of your apartment. It’s a common courtesy for the next tenants, and it can help you get your security deposit back. You want to get your apartment back to its original condition as much as possible, so take the time to really get in the nooks and crannies and clean out whatever gunk has built up since you moved in.

Advice on Packing Everything Yourself for Safety

Unless you really don’t have any time, you should pack everything yourself. For one, it will save you a lot of money. Most movers charge an hourly rate, so depending on how much stuff you have to pack, your final bill could cost over $5,000! Plus, you have complete control over how everything gets packed. This will make unpacking and organizing much easier since you know exactly what is in each box.

 

Packing Yourself vs Professional Packing: COVID-Era Risk Breakdown

Factor Packing Yourself Professional Packing
Additional Hours Movers Stay Onsite 0 extra hours 4–8 additional hours
Increase in COVID Exposure Risk Low (baseline risk) +40% to +60%
Average Cost Difference $0 (DIY packing) +$800 to $2,500
Number of Hands Touching Each Box 1–2 hands 3–5 hands
Probability of Shared Surface Contact Low (limited contact) High (frequent contact)

 

In terms of COVID-19 prevention, the less time you spend around strangers in a confined space, the better. Yes, reputable moving companies will not allow movers who are sick to come to work; however, you or they could be asymptomatic. Instead of increasing the risk of transmission by having the movers spend several more hours packing your belongings, it’s better to do it yourself. This way, the movers can be in and out of your apartment as quickly as possible.

Hire Professional Movers Who Follow All Covid-19 Precautions

Sure, restrictions might be loosening up a bit, but the last thing you want are movers who have dropped all their COVID-19 requirements. After all, the virus is still around, along with its variants, and chances are you’ll have to spend at least 2-3 hours indoors with the movers who have likely been in contact with multiple people and their belongings throughout the week. Looking for movers who maintain their COVID-19 protocol won’t cost you more money either, so why not hire ones that are still taking the risk seriously?

For example, NJ Great Movers still continues to follow the following guidelines to keep you and our employees safe:

  • Sanitize our trucks and moving equipment on a daily basis
  • Our movers sanitize their hands before and after every move
  • Daily temperature checks for our movers
  • Mask requirement for our movers
  • Implementing social distancing guidelines
  • Ensuring widespread vaccination of office staff and moving crews

Speaking of vaccinations, while you can ask the movers if they have been vaccinated, under federal law (HIPAA) they are not obligated to disclose this health information. With that said, reputable NJ moving companies (such as us) encourage all our employees to get vaccinated and ensure any new member who gets onboarded books their appointments as soon as possible.

Clean Your New Home First

This step is a requirement regardless of whether there’s COVID-19 or not. Even if you’re moving into a brand new apartment complex, you still want to give the new place a rub down before you unpack. This way, you can get to spots that might otherwise be cluttered with items. Plus, this gives you the opportunity to take a closer look at your new place and find any holes or cracks and seal them up.

 

Essential Move-In Cleaning Checklist

Area Recommended Cleaning Task Why It Matters
Kitchen Surfaces Disinfect drawers, cabinets, and countertops Removes germs and prepares food-safe areas
Appliances Clean fridge & stove; deodorize fridge Eliminates odors and leftover residue
Bathroom Replace toilet seat; disinfect all surfaces Reduces bacteria and improves hygiene
Floors Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors Removes dust, allergens, and debris
Documentation Take timestamped photos after cleaning Protects your security deposit

 

If you’re not sure where to start, go through this cleaning checklist:

  • Wipe down all drawers, countertops, and cabinets with disinfectant spray. Add some lining after they dry.
  • Clean the fridge and stove top with soapy water, and place a tray of fresh or used coffee grounds at the back of the fridge
  • Replace all toilet seats and covers, and wipe down every surface in the bathroom with disinfectant spray
  • Vacuum all floors and mop what you can

Once you’ve cleaned everything, don’t forget to take pictures to keep a record of what the apartment looked like when you moved in. Make sure to timestamp it and even send it over to your new building management so they have it in their files. This way, when you move, you have evidence of the apartment’s condition just in case the landlord/management company doesn’t want to give you back your security deposit.

Hire the Best Professional NJ Movers for a Safe Move

For the most part, moving has resumed as normal, and most buildings have lifted restrictions on their property. Of course, that doesn’t mean COVID-19 has disappeared. With the new variants popping up, it’s more important than ever to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines. At NJ Great Movers, we take your and our health seriously and we are doing our best to make sure we keep everyone healthy and happy.