Located in the Northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions of the country, The Garden State is nestled comfortably between New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean. The state is actually quite beautiful, with plenty of shore towns and beloved diners. There’s a huge rivalry between New Jersey and New York that has to do with the sports rivalries, the way of life and the people. If you make the move, you will be on board with that soon enough.

Moving Advice

• Be prepared to pay tolls when moving to New Jersey.
• You do not need any moving permits but check on local parking restrictions before moving to New Jersey.
• Spring and early fall are the best times of year to move to New Jersey, as humidity and temperatures aren’t so extreme. If you have to move during the summer, drink plenty of water to remain hydrated.
• If you have to move during the colder months, make sure your vehicle is winterized, with properly functioning brakes and winter tires.
• New Jersey can be hit by nor’easters from late fall through spring, so listen to the weather reports and, if necessary, revise your moving plans to avoid these storms.
• The Garden State’s roads are some of the busiest in the nation. Give yourself plenty of time when moving to New Jersey, especially when driving in and around cities, or along the coast during the busy summer months.
• It is unlawful to serve yourself at a gas service station in New Jersey. When you go to get gas, be sure to wait for the attendant to arrive to avoid any problems.

Change your address online. To make your move from California to New Jersey easier, consider changing your address online. It is easy to do, inexpensive, and will ensure that your mail arrives at your new home with you.

Cities and Metro Areas

There are numerous cities and towns to choose from when moving to New Jersey. North Arlington was included in TIME’s Money Magazine Best Places to Live in America 2017, checking in at No. 8. White Meadow Lake is easily one of the most picturesque places in the Garden State, and it really does have meadows AND a lake. Princeton’s location is almost exactly between New York and Philadelphia, making it perfect for anyone making frequent trips to either or both cities. Oradell is a highly affluent small town where median home value hovers upwards of half a million bucks and a large majority of its residents are well educated.

Other notable cities/towns include Edison Township, Saddle Brook, Succasunna and Little Silver.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in New Jersey is 22.5 percent higher compared to the US average. Fortunately, the average household income is also higher than the country’s average. The cost of living in New Jersey is most likely higher due to relatively steep housing costs, as well as taxation levels that top those of other states. In addition, the average commute time is 30 minutes, which means gas can add a significant amount to any household’s budget.

Home prices in New Jersey have appreciated 61.2% higher than the national level. Looking back three years at the median price in October 2019 compared to October 2022, prices have increased 37.2% in New Jersey VS 35.8% nationwide.

As of October 2022, the median price for a home in the state was $443,000, which is up 7.9% above last year’s median price. Comparing prices over the last three years, we can see they have decreased -6.2% from the peak of $472,400 in Jun-2022.

Climate

The Garden State’s northwest region has a humid continental climate and is slightly cooler than the rest of the state, which enjoys a mesothermal climate. New Jersey’s climate is fairly predictable in that summers are usually hot and humid, with temperatures that range from the low 60s to the high 80s and winters are cold with temperatures ranging from the low 30s to around 16°F, although these temperatures can be higher or lower depending on specific meteorological phenomena, such as nor’easters, which can directly affect the climate at certain times during the year.

Education

The Garden State ranks second in the country when it comes to state expenditure per student. Current school rankings (elementary, middle and high schools), campus and district zoning/location maps, information and reviews are available online for parents moving to New Jersey.

What follows are some of the most notable schools and colleges:

• Elementary Schools: Three of the top-ranked elementary schools are Robert Treat Academy Charter School in Newark, Lincoln Elementary School in Ridgefield Park and Ho-Ho-Kus Public School in Ho Ho Kus.
• High Schools: Three of the top-ranked high schools are The Academy of Allied Health & Science in Neptune, Communications High School in Wall Township and Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School in Jersey City.
• Higher Education: New Jersey is home to some world-renowned institutes of higher education, such as Princeton University and Rutgers University, as well many other quality private, public and community colleges.

Government

For the most current information about moving to New Jersey, visit the Official Web Site for the State of New Jersey.

• New Jersey charges a 7% excise tax on any previously untaxed vehicles you bring into the state or buy there.
• You are required to transfer an out-of-state driver’s license within 60 days of moving to New Jersey. You can do this at your local Motor Vehicle Commission Agency. Find more information about the New Jersey MVC here.
• You have 60 days to register your vehicle. You can find a current overview of registration fees here. It costs $60 to transfer a title without a lien, $85 for a title with one lien, and $110 for a title with two liens.
• There are two toll roads in the Garden State: the New Jersey Turnpike, which runs between Delaware and New York, and the Garden State Parkway that runs from Cape May to the border with New York at Montvale. There are also a number of toll bridges when leaving New Jersey.
• You can register to vote by sending a hard copy of the Voter Registration Application to your County Commissioner of Registration. You must register a minimum of 21 days before an upcoming election in order to vote.
• Trash and recycling services are handled by your municipality, and the costs are included in most cities’ property taxes.