City living can seem glamorous. From riding the subway to a late-night bar crawl to different events taking place on every night of the week, it might seem like living in a big city is the ultimate dream. However, city living also comes with a lot of downsides, as well. Large cities are crowded, stressful, and expensive to boot. If you’re starting to feel burnt out by city living, here are a few reasons for you to pack your bags and head to Jersey.
The perks of NYC living without the price tags
By simply crossing state lines, it’s almost as though you can hear your wallet breathing a sigh of relief. While New Jersey is still relatively pricey compared to many smaller US towns, it’s one of the most affordable east coast states. Especially if you’re a transplant from New York City, you’ll be living like a king once you cross the Hudson River. Plus, many of New Jersey’s major hubs are a stone’s throw away from the excitement of the Big Apple.
Thanks to the innovations of the Port Authority Trans-Hudson, you can visit your dentist in Jersey City, NJ or your primary care physician in Montville, NJ and make it out to the Gaslight Lounge on 14th street in New York without wasting too much time on public transit. As an added benefit, the full price of a one-way fare on the PATH, either from Jersey to New York or vice-versa, is consistently under three dollars. That beats both driving into the city and paying for parking or relying on rideshares. Low rent, lower transportation costs, and lower taxes—what could be better?
You can still own a car
Public transportation not your thing? Missing the convenience of being able to drive yourself wherever you want, whenever you want? Ready to live in a state where parking doesn’t cost an arm, a leg, a kidney, and an hour of your time looking for the perfect spot? All the more reason to relocate to New Jersey. It’s an incredibly car-friendly state and if you’ve lived without a car until now, fear not, there’s bound to be a car dealership in Rockaway, NJ that has the ride of your dreams.
Street parking is much more plentiful in New Jersey. Even if you’re not looking to purchase a home complete with a white picket fence and two-car garage, many apartment complexes come with parking as an amenity or for a slightly upgraded add-on fee. Now, there’s no need to walk several blocks to the nearest bodega to pick up wine for your next dinner party. Instead, you can simply hop in you car and drive to the liquor store Woodbridge, NJ to pick up all the essentials you need.
Outdoor attractions and activities
For a province known as the Garden State, you might be surprised to learn that there are many more outdoor excursions to partake in than simple gardens. For starters, it’s one of the world’s worst-kept secrets that New Jersey has way better beaches than New York. They’re a touch further south which means slightly warmer waters. And since they’re not crammed against the world’s largest metropolitan area, they tend to be far less crowded and much cleaner. With less litter and clearer waters, each beach trip in New Jersey proves to be a much more family friendly outing.
If you’re a thrillseeker or roller coaster enthusiast, it’s your time to shine. New Jersey is home to Six Flags Great Adventure, one of the premiere theme parks in the nation. If you’re making the transition towards becoming a long-term Jersey resident, consider a season pass. Not only will you always have something to do throughout the summer months, you’ll have an excellent excuse for a weekend away.
The Jersey lifestyle
New Jersey is often stereotyped as New York’s lesser sibling. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. New Jersey is full of perks and benefits for the discerning new resident and there are no shortage of reasons for you to consider the Garden State for your new home. It’s a vibrant state full of activities and excitement, so what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and see what New Jersey has to offer.