Why New Jersey is the best state to live in

Often the butt of jokes from visitors from neighboring states and negative stereotypes from television shows like The Sopranos, despite all that, New Jersey continues to attract people seeking high-paying jobs, health care, and education from quality, amazing leisure activities and a great place to raise children.

I quickly recognize that New Jersey is not an affordable state to live in. The definition of best does not mean “cheap” or “economical.”

While you may be paying more, New Jersey boasts the best state and municipal services in the country, contributing to an infrastructure that supports a safe environment and a variety of quality-of-life services. As a wise old man once told me: “You get what you pay for.”

Top five reasons New Jersey is the best state to live in.

Health care – By almost any measure, NJ is at the top of any list in states with the best healthcare. Ranked #1 in lowest (best) population underserved by primary care physicians and ranked 7th in lowest infant mortality rate in 48 states. Source: AARP. Ranked eighth out of 50 states in number of physicians/1,000. Source: US Census Bureau. Data from 2004-2006. And across the river in New York and Philadelphia, New Jersey residents have access to some of the best medical institutions and doctors in the world.

low crime rate – Ranked 4th in property crime and 13th in violent crime out of 31 states east of the Mississippi River. Source: US Census Bureau. Data from 2004-2006. And when you consider that New Jersey has the highest population density in the US, New Jersey is a very safe place to live and is a credit to the state and municipalities in crime protection and law enforcement. .

Student Education Grades K-12 – New Jersey stands out when it comes to education; New Jersey is ranked #1 out of 50 states in graduation rates from grade 8 to high school; Source: National Educational Testing Policy and Board and Ranked #4 in lowest (best) student/teacher ratio. Source: IES National Center for Educational Statistics.

Entertainment- New Jersey is an entertainment mecca. Due to the small size of the state, world-class entertainment is within the reach of most New Jerseyans. There are major entertainment venues throughout the state, as well as the hotel’s casino, and Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey is a magnet for world-class entertainment. New Jersey also has 2 NFL teams, one NBA team, and one NHL team. And with New York City and Philadelphia just across the river with Broadway shows and major entertainment venues, the entertainment options for New Jerseyans are unmatched.

Geographic Diversity – With exceptional beaches like Wildwood, which are the best on the East Coast, beautiful foothills and mountains in Northwest New Jersey, and quaint Victorian towns like Cape May, New Jersey’s diverse geography is easily accessible within an hour’s drive from almost anywhere in the state. National Geographic Magazine has called New Jersey “America in Miniature.”