It’s time to put down new roots and find a unique background for your everyday life. Whether you live in New Jersey already or are looking to relocate to the Garden State, finding the perfect rental home or apartment presents a unique challenge. Searching for the perfect New Jersey area to rent your next place can be difficult because almost all of the information about the best places to live in New Jersey is geared toward homeowners. Renters have different requirements and may prioritize amenities over property values. Learning about the best places to rent is a bit different than researching the best places to live in New Jersey. We’re here to help you understand why.

What Makes a Great New Jersey Neighborhood?

We’ve considered several factors when identifying our top picks for renter-friendly areas. Of course, no place has it all, but we’re proud that many of our recommendations for places to rent in New Jersey come awfully close. Here are some of the aspects we took into consideration when scouring the Garden State for the best places to rent and live:

• Public Transportation

• School District Ranking

• Crime Rate

• Property Values

• Things to Do/Special Attractions

• Available Rental Properties

• Culinary Amenities (restaurants, coffee shops, etc.)

• Parks

Best Places to Live in New Jersey

Hunterdon County

Frenchtown, New Jersey, offers an artsy and historic downtown on the Delaware River and excellent school districts.  Bethlehem Township offers small-town charm, epic parades, and proximity to bigger fun nearby. Farming towns like Clinton offer a slower pace and more rural experience, though we see new suburbs built in Central NJ quite rapidly.

Somerset County

Bridgewater, New Jersey, is a vibrant community in Somerset County that attracts top international talent to its biotech and pharmaceutical job opportunities. Home to excellent schools and plenty of family fun, Somerset County also boasts excellent family options in the Franklin Township and Hillsborough, NJ, rental market.

Mercer County

Mercer County is home to Trenton, NJ, the state’s capital. Trenton is New Jersey’s closest city to Philadelphia. It also includes Hamilton, NJ, Trenton’s largest suburb. Hamilton boasts easy interstate access, proximity to all that metro Philly offers, and a heaping helping of small-town charm and amenities. Hamilton repeatedly ranks as one of the safest places to live in New Jersey and is especially popular with families and retirees. Princeton, NJ, is also located in Mercer county and offers an affluent, liberal vibe and college town amenities.

Gloucester County

Gloucester County, NJ, offers options for everyone. Just outside of Newark, Harrison, NJ, offers an enticing mix of local amenities like bars, coffee shops, and restaurants that attract young professionals. A little further out in East Greenwich, residents enjoy a more rural landscape and a slightly more quaint downtown. Scenic Woodbury offers excellent schools and family-friendly businesses.

Morris County

Home to scenic and charming Morristown and Parsippany-Troy Hills, Morris County is located north of Newark. Full of historic interest and modern fun, rental communities in Morris County enjoy easy access to bigger city fun and quiet smaller town experiences.

New Jersey Rental Market

New Jersey is one of the most expensive rental markets in the country. Our big-city adjacent offerings and east coast charm attract many to search for a New Jersey home in a state with limited space. Where median rent in New Jersey started last year at $2,080, it now comes in at a median of $2,400 for 2023. However, reduced rental demand and falling housing prices could pull the cost of rent in New Jersey down slightly in the coming months. Individual renters are unlikely to see their rent rates fall unless they move, as this slight trend is more likely to be noticed in the aggregate data than in an individual’s budget.

Renter-Friendly Laws in New Jersey

New Jersey laws favor tenants in their eviction and lease renewal policies, so all of New Jersey is a renter-friendly option. The state of New Jersey offers no clear guidelines on how much rental increase is allowable, only stipulating that it must be “reasonable.” Many municipalities in New Jersey have some form of rent control codified, but it doesn’t usually apply to multi-family units or rental properties built after these ordinances became effective.  More than 100 municipalities in New Jersey codify rent increases, so digging into your local laws will be a very important step in selecting the New Jersey community for your next rental.

Want to ensure your next place has an effortless style with your budget and rental status in mind? Head here to learn about all things apartment decor. 

Country Classics is Ready to Welcome You Home

Country Classics offers several rental options in New Jersey communities. We’re pleased to extend our market knowledge and area expertise to help you find your next perfect rental in New Jersey.