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How to Find the Best Places to Live in New Jersey

May 02, 2023|

As the 11th most populated state in the United States, New Jersey is a great place to live. Not only is it conveniently close to New York City, but it's also known for its natural beauty and affordable homes. For many people, the hardest part of living in the Garden State is simply picking the best place to live.

There are a lot of great cities in New Jersey to choose from, and each one has its own special advantages. If you're interested in discovering the best places to live in NJ, keep reading. We'll tell you what it's like to live in some of the most livable major cities in New Jersey and let you know about some hidden gems, too.

Newark, New Jersey cityscape by night
 

Princeton

Though this city is internationally known as the home of Princeton University, it has a lot of other perks, too. Unlike many other college towns, Princeton isn't rowdy. As one of the most historic towns in New Jersey, its atmosphere tends to be calm, quaint, and charming.

This town of around 30,700 is known for having a bustling downtown that's highly walkable. You can browse a variety of local shops, enjoy incredible food, and check out the town's nightlife, all from one convenient location. Princeton also offers lots of activities for nature lovers. With sunny summers, snowy winters, and colorful falls, this area lets you explore the full advantages of every season. You can walk along stunning trails or relax in one of the town's many beautiful parks.

You might also want to soak up some history as you explore well-preserved Revolutionary War-era sites. In addition, living in a college town like Princeton provides residents with many cultural opportunities like attending major concerts, plays, and lectures that would be hard to find in most other cities of similar size.

Finally, don't forget that Princeton provides access to a lot of helpful services. The area has excellent schools and medical clinics and provides many job opportunities. What's more, it's right between Philadelphia and New York City, so you can easily travel to some of the nation's top metro areas.

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Metuchen

If you're looking for a good commuter town in New Jersey, Metuchen might be right for you. This is one of the best places to live in New Jersey for families because of its roomy, single-family homes and carefully designed neighborhoods. And since it's just a short train ride away from NYC, Metuchen makes it very easy to commute for work. Families also like Metuchen for its schools, which have very impressive scores, and its low crime rate. There are only five crimes per 1,000 residents each year, and rates of violent crime are particularly low.

Unlike many suburban areas, Metuchen still has its own unique culture and atmosphere. The city's government has put a lot of effort into revitalizing downtown. They recently won the Great American Main Street Award for their downtown area filled with shops, restaurants, and local events.

Madison

Madison provides the quintessential American small-town atmosphere. It's ideal for people looking for a peaceful, quiet place with plenty of amenities. Though it's not popular for young, single adults, Madison has a lot of families and seniors.

This town has plenty of benefits like great schools, low crime rates, and affordable homes, but what makes it really stand out is its charm. The downtown area contains plenty of mom-and-pop shops and cozy restaurants. Plenty of beautiful parks are scattered throughout Madison, and it's home to one of the largest professional Shakespeare troupes in the nation.

Madison, New Jersey on map
 

Jersey City

If you like big, bustling cities, check out Jersey City. It's situated along the Hudson River and often called the "sixth borough" due to its proximity to NYC. With a population of almost 300,000, Jersey City is one of the largest cities in the state. This makes it an ideal spot for people who are interested in living in a hip, vibrant urban environment.

Jersey City is also a great place to live because it has so many career opportunities. It's mostly known for its jobs in the financial, shipping, and logistics industries, but it also has a lot of retail and real estate opportunities.

Jersey City is extremely walkable, too. It has excellent public transit and bicycle-friendly roads. With plenty of condos, townhomes, and other housing to choose from, Jersey City makes it easy to find a home and neighborhood that suit your lifestyle.

Cranford

This small town is known for its artistic atmosphere and eclectic culture. It's a very diverse city that is home to a lot of families, young adults, and seniors. The downtown area includes a lot of trendy entertainment options, exciting restaurants, and beautiful architecture. Cranford hosts a lot of community events including an annual painting festival and classic car shows.

In addition to providing a fun, artsy environment, Cranford has some more practical benefits. As the seventh safest town in New Jersey, crime rates are very low. The region has a nice mix of single-family homes and multifamily housing, and it has a train station for commuters.

Electric lights hanging over alley in front of coffee shop in Cranford, New Jersey
 

Benefits of a New Jersey home security and automation system

All these New Jersey cities can be safe, enjoyable spots to live, but no matter where you end up, it's still wise to install a home security system. Adding security and automation to your home comes with many benefits:

  • Crime prevention: With a full range of cameras and sensors, we make it hard for criminals to enter your home or cause mischief. Many criminals give up as soon as they see the Vivint sign, and those who do try anyway are often scared off with alarms and immediate police notification. With the Smart Deter feature for the Doorbell Camera Pro, you’ll know when a package is delivered to your doorstep or removed from it. This technology also lets you use the Vivint App to activate light and sound to keep thieves away. It lets strangers near your front door know they’re being watched.
  • Smart home automation: All Vivint products and many third-party devices easily connect to the Smart Hub and Vivint app. These let you control everything from your doorbell camera to your thermostat from your phone, no matter where you are.
  • Home disaster protection: We offer a full range of safety alarms including smoke detectors and water sensors. We'll notify you whenever we notice something is wrong and contact help in an emergency so you can immediately keep leaks and fires from causing serious damage.

Vivint makes your New Jersey home even better

Once you pick the perfect part of New Jersey and choose the ideal home, make sure to give Vivint a call. Our team is happy to help you create a personalized home system that suits your security and automation needs. To get started on the path to a safer, more convenient home, call us at 855.822.1220 today.

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