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Born and raised in NJ, I love nearly everything about it. It's near NYC and other major cities. Job opportunities. Lots of things to do. Many natural areas, parks, mountains, etc. A good mix of rural, suburban and urban. A lots of diversity. Both in the population and in the geography. And every town looks different; they have their own unique identity and personality.
The only downside, for me, is the high cost of living. Rent (even a bottom of the barrel apartment easily costs $1500+ a month. Which if you're working class, that may be at least half of your income.
Even if you own a house, properties are expensive to buy, and to pay taxes on. The proximity to NYC raises the price; if you make a lot of money in NYC, it's worth it. But people who live in NJ but rarely go to NYC are kind of being scammed out of their money.
It's a shame because that 1 downside happens to be the most important criteria for living anywhere.
Another irony is the portion of people who move to the Carolinas or Florida for the beaches. Yes, Florida has more beaches. But NJ has better beaches. Seaside and Point Pleasant have full boardwalks with a lot of things to do.
Whereas most of the beaches in the south just have a parking lots, and a grocery store a mile away.
White: 65.50%
Black or African American: 13.39%
Asian: 9.65%
Other race: 6.35%
Two or more races: 4.81%
Native American: 0.25%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.04%
I think one of the biggest positives is the cultural diversity here.
I mean ... not just abstract, but tangible.
Like Asian, Latino, middle eastern, and Indian restaurants and supermarkets.
And a variety of festivals and stuff.
If I just went to all American related entertainment, like Outback Steakhouse, sports bars, and burger and BBQ joints, Italian joints and Shop Rite and Trader Joes, then ... I'd probably move to Indiana or Iowa.
Not only is the cost of living is much cheaper, I believe truly jobs there are much less cutthroat because of that reason.
So, you're getting more life for your money and your time.
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