From the proximity to NY’s Wall Street finance hub to the foodie cultural spots you will find New Jersey to be a surprisingly attractive state. You have incredible beaches, ski spots, great neighborhoods for all ages, and job opportunities. Why wouldn’t you consider NJ as a relocation hub?
Moving To New Jersey is the New Trend
New Jersey gives you that easy convenience of business, suburban relaxation and proximity to the beach, and a surprising amount of natural beauty. While its Jersey Shore reputation isn’t the best, especially after the infamous TV show and it seems always to be overshadowed by the draw of New York City and the bustle of Philadelphia, New Jersey is quickly becoming a top destination for those looking to relocate affordably while staying close to the city.
There are plenty of surprising reasons why NJ is attracting more and more newcomers every year. From its proximity to major cities and the job opportunities to its beautiful white beaches and great food, New Jersey is a state with a little something for everyone. We will help you find the best inter-state movers if NJ is calling your name.
Now, we deep dive into the top five reasons people are moving to and around New Jersey.
1. Proximity to NYC and Philly
Location is everything. After spending hours commuting to work, it is easy to say that your quality of life is directly tied to your proximity to your office. One of the main reasons people are choosing to move to New Jersey is its strategic location. As the state is right next to both New York City and Philadelphia, it offers the best of both worlds. You get access to the job world and cultural outings without the insane costs of living that comes with being inside those cities. NJ is still affordable while extremely close to both. Sometimes living in NJ and commuting to NYC is closer than living in NY elsewhere and commuting internally.
Commuting from places like Jersey City or Newark to Midtown Manhattan is easy, and is only a 10-minute ride to ferries or buses that take you directly into the city. If you are looking for bigger home with a yard for the kids but can’t give up on that corporate job, this is the perfect solution for you.
If you need suburbia for the great schools and safe communities, NJ has it all within commuting distance of the main places—it couldn’t be more central than this. New Jersey’s location is one of its greatest advantages despite the wrap it gets.
2. NJ Neighborhoods and Lifes
New Jersey’s size isn’t huge, but the state has spots that cater to any vibe at any age. As a young professional seeking the excitement of city life, I found all I wanted, while friends growing up and a family in need of good schools and a quieter atmosphere found their spots down the road. New Jersey offers a place for everyone at every stage of life.
- Urban Life in Jersey City or Hoboken: These two cities have exploded in popularity in because of their proximity to New York City, nightlife options at the top spots, and modern conveniences. You will find lots of young professionals who enjoy city life without the sky-high rent and small apartments of Manhattan. Jersey City,is something of a melting pot, with top restaurants from every corner of the world, art galleries galore, and a great bar scene too. Hoboken has a small-town feel, with cute little streets, cafes, and a great waterfront, yet it’s just a quick train ride from New York. This is perfect if you want to get in and out of NYC with ease.
- Family-Friendly: If you are moving with the clan then you need daily friendly spots in NJ. Towns like Westfield and Princeton attract families with their great public school systems, parks, gyms, and community activities. These areas are more residential, with tree-lined streets and space for kids to play outside unlike NYC. You will find the best-rated public and private schools in the state here so get ready for your kid to become Einstein.
- Beach Bums: For those who love the beach and surf New Jersey surprisingly also has a great ton of beach towns and rural areas to enjoy nature from up close. Long Beach Island, Cape May, and Asbury Park are some of the more popular spots in NJ seeing relocation trends. You would be shocked that there are some pretty great surf spots along the coast for both waves and kite surfing. You can relocate to NJ and still be in nature.
3. Beautiful Beaches and Ski Spots
One of the main reasons people relocate these days is to improve their quality of life. For many that means getting out of middle America and closer to the beach. New Jersey might be better known for its industrial and urban areas, but it also has over 120 miles of coast along the Atlantic Ocean, with plenty of options for beach enthusiasts. The “Jersey Shore,” has long been a draw for both tourists with the fun boardwalks, cute coastal towns like Brigantine, and beachfront activities and casinos alike, the Jersey Shore has way more than meets the eye.
- Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights, Atlantic City and Belmar offer fun boardwalks, amusement parks, and great places to grab a bite while you enjoy the ocean breeze.
- New Jersey has great parks, lakes, and hiking trails that make it easy to enjoy nature no matter the season. You have the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to the Pine Barrens, islands off of South Jersey, and more. There really are endless opportunities to hike, camp, fish, or just enjoy the view.
- If you need to hit the slope when the temperatures drop, NJ has options for you too. Winter sports lovers can head to Mountain Creek for skiing or snowboarding in the colder months, which is known for its powder rides and great snowfall.
4. Strong Economy
If you at still in the stage of debating whether or not to move to New Jersey for job reasons, know that it is one of the most diverse economies in the country so everyone will find their niche. From the major drug companies to technology start ups and finance, the has offers job offers in all the industries. It’s no wonder that many young professionals right after college are choosing to relocate to New Jersey. You will find your spot.
- The Pharmaceutical Boom: New Jersey has always been a leader in the pharmaceutical industry, thanks to Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and Bristol-Myers Squibb which are all headquartered here. The state’s reputation as a medical research and biotech hub has only grown making it a great place to look for a job in the healthcare and life sciences sectors after your degree. This industry includes opportunities for those in marketing, sales, and all sectors so don’t hesitate to look on their websites for offerings.
- Tech and Finance Bros: New Jersey is a growing hub for the tech industry. With Silicon Alley in nearby New York City, many tech startups and companies find New Jersey an ideal location for offices and talent. You will find many new foreign start-ups setting up their offices here and bringing their talent for relocation. New Jersey’s financial services industry and fin-tech is also huge with the distance to Wall Street so small and major financial hubs like Princeton and Morristown have opportunities in banking, investment, and financial services for newcomers. You will find lots of day traders here in the many cafes.
- Education You can’t miss it with NJ being home to a few prestigious universities, like Princeton University, Rutgers University, and Stevens Institute of Technology, the atmosphere is one of studies and higher education. These schools contribute to the state’s economy through research, innovation, and jobs. Many people moving to New Jersey are coming as teachers from Universities around the globe to teach here and end up staying and finding a job in their industry.
5. Foodie Scene
You will be shocked to learn that NJ has a foodie side. New Jersey may not have the same culinary prestige as cities like New York or San Francisco with it’s restaurant scene, but its diverse food options are impressive. The food culture shows it’s mix with a great blend of Italian, Asian, Polish, and Latin flavors, among others.
- Italian Food: Mama Mia- order that pizza ahead of time. Thanks to its large Italian-American population, New Jersey is home to some of the best Italian food in the country. Whether you’re craving classic pasta dishes or Taylor ham we promise you you will find it at a fraction of the cost of NYC.
- Diners: New Jersey’s iconic diners are an experience hard to describe if you have never been. If you don’t know what you are in the mood for, you are in trouble. They serve literally everything from pancakes to burgers to hot roast beef sandwiches, locals love these 24-hour spots for their comfort food. You can get a bite of everything at a fraction of the price.
- International Tastes: In Jersey, the international food options are many. Edison is known for its authentic Indian restaurant scene, while Fort Lee has impeccable Korean and Chinese food. You will have to bring take away from these epic spots or you will regret it later. Additionally, New Jersey has a growing farm-to-table vibe, with many towns springing up local markets and restaurants of locally grown produce.
Now What?
Now that we have you sold on NJ, you need to know how to get there in the best and cheapest way. Hiring interstate movers in New Jersey means that your long-distance move is handled by pros who understand the logistics, laws, and complexities of transporting your home goods across state lines. Moving APT has experience in navigating the challenges of interstate relocations to NJ and beyond, and will give you back the peace of mind you need to succeed in this time.
NJ Wrapped
There’s no denying that New Jersey is an awesome state with quite a few surprises up its sleeves. Whether it’s the proximity to NYC without the high prices, the incredible variety of food options from around the globe, the beachfront properties, or the universities that bring you here, we know you will find a great home in New Jersey. Moving APT will help you get your start here.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.