Over the past few years, there have been numerous stories in the media about aging baby boomers leaving New Jersey for homes in the sun in Florida and elsewhere. While it’s true that many are choosing to fly south in their retirement, it’s also true that New Jersey has become one of the places younger people and families choose to move to.

Here’s why:

1. Property is cheaper than New York City, whether you are talking about rentals or purchasing a home. Because New Jersey is close to NYC (and Princeton for that matter), it’s an attractive option for people looking for affordable homes in great communities, but who still need to commute for work or school.
2. Many people choose to move to New Jersey to be closer to their jobs. Because New Jersey is also experiencing a boom in employment, so there’s a good chance you won’t have to commute to the city at all!
3. New Jersey offers lower state income tax rates than NYC, and retail sales tax is also lower—particularly if you shop in enterprise zones, where tax can be as low as 3.5%.
4. Because of the location of New Jersey between NYC and Philly, it benefits from a superb network of roads and highways. So while the traffic in your community might be far lower than the big city, there are some great roads that can get you to the city fast. It’s the best of both worlds!
5. On the topic of transportation, gas is cheaper in New Jersey than it is in NYC, and so are cabs, so whether you drive or not, you can save.
6. Communities in New Jersey are also close enough to NYC and Philly that when you want a night on the town in the big city, it’s easy to get there, and with trains and busses connecting towns in the state with all the best downtown nightlife hotspots, it’s easy to get there too.
7. The Jersey Shore. It’s not often that people have access to great, family friendly beaches so close to home, and it’s a big plus for families looking to move to New Jersey. The term “Garden State” is also accurate, and there are great green spaces just outside every city and town in New Jersey.
8. Education is great in New Jersey, and the state regularly scoops top honors in graduation rates and high school grades.
9. Northern New Jersey is regularly voted as one of the top ten safest places to live in the USA, which also makes it a great place to raise a family.
10. New Jersey has a rich culture and history, with historic buildings and estates, edgy and interesting cafes, bars and restaurants, and more creative people choosing all the time to relocate from more expensive New York to its up and coming neighbor.

New Jersey might not be as flashy as some of its neighboring states, but it really does offer a winning combination of small town living in high-end communities, proximity to the beach and the countryside, and great work and education opportunities. So if you are looking to move, make sure New Jersey is on your short list.