Why Do You Enjoy Living in New Jersey?

Choosing the best place to start a family or run a business takes time and consideration. If New Jersey isn’t already on your radar, you’re missing out. This East Coast gem continues to attract individuals and families from across the globe looking for quality healthcare and education, exciting leisure activities, diverse geography, and much more. From central New Jersey, you can get to New York City, Philadelphia, the beach, or the mountains within an hour’s drive. For such a small state, New Jersey has it all.

So why do people live in New Jersey? Residents of New Jersey know that it’s the best place to live, work, and play. If you’re thinking about relocating in the near future for business or personal endeavors, here are the top eight reasons why New Jersey might be the perfect choice for you.

1. Leading Education System

New Jersey reigns supreme when it comes to education. We currently hold the #1 spot in early childhood education, and are home to the #1 public school system in the nation. With more than 90% of high school seniors receiving their diplomas, compared to the national average of 88%, New Jersey is committed to helping the next generation succeed. We are also home to 63 public and private colleges and universities, with Princeton University being named #1 in America for a consecutive decade. Our top public universities include Rutgers University, Montclair State University, The College of New Jersey, and New Jersey Institute of Technology, among several others. If you’re looking for the #1 state to raise your children, New Jersey is the answer.

2. Superior Health Care

By almost any measure, New Jersey sits at the top of the list for U.S. states with the best health care. Those who live here can get convenient access to quality care, whenever they need it. From maternal and child health services to surgical procedures and cancer treatment, New Jersey hospitals are on the forefront of medical innovation. We have skilled and experienced doctors who utilize state-of-the-art technology and techniques to deliver the highest standard of care. According to U.S. News & World Report’s 2019-2020 Best Hospitals rankings, 5 in NJ are nationally ranked and 15 meet national high performing standards. Here in New Jersey, you can rest assured that your health is in good hands.

3. World-Class Entertainment

New Jersey is a mecca for entertainment – especially if you love theater, art, and music. World-class entertainment is at an arm’s length for most residents of New Jersey. With nearly 100 regional theaters, 150 museums, and a legendary music scene, what more could you hope for? A few of our most notable attractions include:

• NJPAC – Showcases world-renowned dance, music, and comedy acts
• Prudential Center – Home of the New Jersey Devils, top musical acts such as Bon Jovi, Fleetwood Mac, and Taylor Swift, and the GRAMMY Museum Experience
• Liberty Science Center – Houses the nation’s largest IMAX Dome Theatre
• BB&T Pavilion – Features a 25,000 capacity outdoor amphitheater in Camden
• MetLife Stadium –Home of the New York Giants & Jets and host of major events such as Super Bowl XLVIII, WrestleMania, international soccer, and big-name concerts
• Red Bull Arena –  Home of the New York Red Bulls of the MLS and Sky Blue FC of the NWSL

4. Recreational Opportunities

When you live in New Jersey, you get the benefit of enjoying four different seasons with endless opportunities for adventure. Spanning across 130 miles, New Jersey’s coastline consists of a beautiful array of beaches and boardwalks for individuals and families to enjoy. Both Cape May and Ocean City were named among the “Top 16 East Coast Beaches to Visit” by U.S. News and World Report in 2020. Also, Ocean City Boardwalk was ranked #1 in the state in 2019. The Jersey Shore attracts millions of visitors every year for relaxing summer days and lively evenings.

New Jersey is called the Garden State for a reason. Outdoor enthusiasts are met with a wealth of impressive spots for hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, cross-country skiing, and more. New Jersey is endowed with hundreds of thousands of acres of state and national parks, forests, arboretums, and recreation areas, as well as the #1 Golf Course in the U.S. (Pine Valley) according to Golf Digest. From the Delaware Water Gap to Island Beach State Park, you can find beautiful natural scenery wherever you go.

5. Family-Friendly Towns

A big draw for those interested in making the leap to New Jersey is our family-friendly towns. According to U.S. News & World Report 2019-2020, New Jersey ranked #4 for the lowest property crime and violent crime rates. If you already have kids or are thinking about starting a family, we’re sure safety is a top priority for you.

New Jersey suburbs also offer much more indoor and outdoor living space than a city. Open the window in your NJ home? You’ll probably hear birds chirping, leaves rustling, and children out having fun. In 2020, seven New Jersey counties were ranked in U.S. News and World Report‘s Top 500 Healthiest Communities in the U.S., including Hunterdon and Morris in the top 25. New Jersey has received numerous other recognitions for its quality of life, including:

• “Most mentally and physically fit state” according to WalletHub’s Happiest States in America list
• Mount Laurel and Bridgewater named among Money‘s Top 50 Best Places to Live in America
• #3 Best State to Live (USAToday, 2019)

6. Quality Dining and Retail

If you didn’t know, New Jersey is one of the most ethnically-diverse states in the country. Our dining and shopping scene directly reflects our multicultural population. NJ is the Diner Capital of the World with over 500 diners located here. In 2017, a NY Times restaurant critic also proclaimed that “the best New York pizza is in New Jersey” after eating at Razza in Jersey City.

While pizzerias and diners are our specialty, New Jersey boasts some of the nation’s best Italian, Chinese, and Indian restaurants. There’s also a growing farm-to-table movement in NJ, using produce from nearly 100,000 farms throughout the state to create dishes using “Jersey Fresh” ingredients.

A major plus of living in New Jersey is that we don’t charge retail sales tax on clothing or shoes. New Jersey has earned the reputation as one of the preeminent places to shop in the country, with American Dream being the 2nd largest shopping mall in the U.S. NJ also has nearly 73,000 small retailers, which account for 34% of all retail employment in the state. Our variety of retail options is unmatched, from downtown boutiques to large-scale malls and outlets.

7. Small Town Living, Big City Access

Last, but certainly not least, New Jersey is strategically located on the East Coast, bringing a whole new meaning to convenience. Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike is the primary interstate along the U.S. East Coast, enabling access to major metropolitan markets from New England to Florida. Northern NJ is a 20-minute train ride from New York City and Southern NJ is right across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. NJ Transit is the 3rd largest provider of rail, light rail and bus service in the nation, serving 270 million passengers each year. Taking a trip? Newark Liberty International Airport and other nearby airports offer non-stop flights to over 340 domestic and 260 international destinations daily.

8. Diversity

Despite being the 4th smallest state, New Jersey has the densest population in the U.S. We embrace and celebrate different cultures, languages, and traditions with art, music and food. Home to 225 foreign company headquarters, New Jersey welcomes international investment with open arms. In fact, WalletHub’s “Economic Impact of Immigration by State” 2020 study ranks New Jersey #3 overall. Our highly-diverse communities are the driving force of our thriving cities and downtown areas.

Choose New Jersey As Your New Home

New Jersey offers residents an array of lifestyle options as diverse as the state itself. When you live here, you are uniquely positioned to take advantage of opportunities for business. Are you a current business owner in search of a place to expand your reach? Choose New Jersey provides a wide range of free and confidential resources and tools to assist you in bringing your business to NJ and furthering your success. Contact us today for more information or to speak with a member of our team.