New York, New York, one of the largest cities in the world and a bustling community. With almost 3 million people living and working in the city, it is no wonder that so many young people are itching to join the community. Whether you are interested in visiting the city for the evening or making a permanent life there, it can definitely be an adjustment. And an extremely expensive one. More and more individuals who are working in New York City may find an opportunity to live just outside of it in New Jersey. This has started a great debate of where the best place to live will be for you and your family. And there are a lot of pros and cons either way for you to consider when making your decision.
New York State Of Mind
There are so many perks to living in one of the largest cities in America. It can definitely bring about an air of excitement. You are contributing to all the innovation and important work happening in the city, while also being able to live your own life without everyone knowing about it. And the opportunities in the area are some of the best in the country, for any profession.
There are few things that New York City does not have. If you are interested in leading a poetry group in Greenwich Village or needing an outpatient rehabilitation center in Staten Island, NY, its available for you here. Because of the population size, it is inevitable that there will be many unique individuals and groups that you can join. Anyone is welcome in New York City. Ever since Ellis Island became the gateway for early immigrants to come to America, NYC has continued to truly represent the melting pot that makes America great.
The energy of NYC is always one of hustle and bustle. It truly is the “city that never sleeps.” If you are someone who enjoys being out and about at all times and taking in the all the different stimuli of the city, then living in New York will be right up your alley. There are also so many distinct villages and areas within the larger city, so we guarantee you will never get bored.
New Jersey
While New York is an incredibly busy town, if you are someone who enjoys some quiet down time, finding a home in New Jersey might be for you. New Jersey can give you a feeling of living a suburban life, while still enjoying the benefits of working in a large city. Perhaps, a home for more introverted individuals, here you can relax and soak up more space for yourself and your family.
We often find that individuals settle down in New Jersey when they are slightly older and ready to start a family. With the ability to own a house with a yard, families may find it more comfortable to get a dog or begin raising children. It is also much easier to own a car and help drive to various activities when you are not dealing with crazy New York drivers. It is easier to get to know the local businesses in a smaller area. The audiologist in West Orange, NJ may be a be your neighbor, and the family practice doctor in Newark could be sitting down the row from you at church. You never know who you will run into anywhere, but with a smaller community, there are easy ways to make connections.
If you are interested in staying out late every night of the week and running to a concert at a moment’s notice, New York may be more your speed. But if you are looking for a more relaxed atmosphere where your dog can run around in the yard and you can pick your kids up from dance class in the mini van, New Jersey may be a good option for you.
Commutes
Now you may be wondering how crazy the commute is to get to work in Manhattan if you are living far outside of the city. Well, it is no secret that commuting around the island itself can be very difficult. Subways, buses, taxis, and rideshares are all viable means of transportation, but are sometimes less reliable. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half just to journey from one end of Manhattan to the other. And many individuals who live in NYC have a hard time affording to live nearby their workplace.
On the other hand, coming from outside the city is definitely going to come with a long commute. An average New Jerseyan spends 45 minutes commuting to and from work. And there are even some individuals who participate in what is known as extreme commuting, where they commute over 2 hours each way for their job. However, for these workers the time spent in transit is worth it for the life they get to have where they can get twice the space for half the cost. Plus, it is way easier to own a car while living outside the city. This may give you slightly more freedom. A car can almost be a comfort zone to get you in the mindset for a busy day at work.
Cost of Living
One of the largest benefits to moving out of New York City to a suburb in New Jersey is the significant decrease in cost of living. NYC is one of the most expensive cities in America. Renting a small studio apartment can easily cost you $1,000 or more. At the same price, you can start a mortgage on a 3-bedroom home in New Jersey. Owning a home can come with seperate charges however. Rather than a landlord, you will be responsible for your own repairs and utilities. You will need to call somewhere like Corbin Electrical Services in Marlboro, NJ to help with your repairs. No need to worry, local businesses are usually great about helping you out in a pinch. While you may have more expenses in New Jersey, they will be more inexpensive than in New York. Obviously, there are pros and cons to calling either place home; you just have to find the right home for you and your lifestyle!
