A lot of New Yorkers will turn their nose up at living in New Jersey. It is true, ‘New Jersey isn’t New York’, but it does have many benefits.
I recently moved over from England; while my family and I did end up renting an apartment in Manhattan. We seriously considered living in New Jersey.
We viewed a few apartments in Weehawken and liked them all. Hoboken and Jersey City are also good places to consider.
Here are 5 BIG Reasons to Consider Living in New Jersey:
1. Living in New Jersey is so Much More Affordable
This is the biggest factor for most people. Rent in Manhattan is very expensive. From my research, Brooklyn is the next area most people look at. At the time I moved, the rent in the most desirable parts of Brooklyn was just as expensive as Manhattan.
New Jersey is much more affordable and the cost of living there is also lower.
2. You’ll Have More Space
Not only is rent more affordable, but the apartments are also generally bigger and more recently renovated than in New York. For your money, you’ll get a nicer, more spacious place to live.
This is ideal for families or anyone sharing with friends!
3. The Commute to New York is Easy
Buses run regularly from Weehawken to Port Authority in NY. Alternatively, you can take a ferry. From Hoboken and Jersey City, you also have the option of a PATH Train.
I did the journey from Port Authority to Weehawken a few times. The time it takes really depends on the traffic. One time, it took 5 minutes, another was close to half an hour.
The commute is really easy. Saying that. It was also the main reason we didn’t end up living in New Jersey. I have a toddler and a pushchair (stroller). The bus terminals in Port Authority don’t have elevators, meaning you have to go downstairs or an escalator. Some of the buses are more like a coach so I had to put the pushchair underneath which was just a bit of an effort!
If you don’t have children or a family with older children, the commute is really easy!
4. The View is Simply Amazing
Want the best view over the Manhattan skyline? This is the place to get them! One of the apartments we looked at, had this view at the end of the road! I could definitely get used to seeing this every day.
5. It has a Quieter, Smaller Vibe
New York is the city that never sleeps. Living in New Jersey still has a small city feel to it but is quieter and a bit more relaxed than New York. Meaning, it’s definitely not as noisy and there’s a lot less traffic on the roads. Making it the perfect place for families. I haven’t done my own research, but, I’ve been told the schools in Weehawken are very good!
Thank you for reading! Overall, it’s definitely worth at least considering living in New Jersey!
Not convinced? My post on ‘Apartment Hunting in New York‘ might be useful to you.
