RateItAll: The Opinion Network

...and your point!

The turnpike gives the state a bad name-it may be the ugliest stretch of road in the entire North-East. Other than that, Jersey is not ugly or desperately poor in the way that many parts of the country have become; yet it remains a dull, over-crowded suburban state with little to attract visitors. Lived in Jersey for a year as a kid, and while I can remember trips to NYC, Philly and the countryside in upstate NY and Penn, Jersey itself is a blank except for Princeton....(and the constant Bruce Springsteen on the radio...local hero I guess)...just endless, alternating commercial/residential sprawl, and the occasional dreary, run-down city (Trenton, Newark, Atlantic City).

Two stars for Princeton and Cape May; other than that, there's not much reason to visit.

There are some really pretty areas of NJ in the north (no....not Bergen county)that if you were suddenly transported to you would never, ever know you were actually in NJ. Development is at a minimum because of watershed land and reservoirs. But I'm not going to tell you where because I don't want anyone to know. The rest of NJ is what it is. I'd rather live here than say Los Angeles tho...at least I can be in the Adirondacks in 3.5 hours.

Ok, I went to Trenton to take a train to D.C., don't remember Trenton so much, but I recently stayed at my Great Aunt and Uncle's House in the Newark/New York Suburbs, it's not really terrible, but ok I entered New York City on the Holland, and we ended up in the ugliest part of Manhattan I saw as we drove around it that evening. In fact New York City was no better or worse than New Jersey in my mind at that point. Once we drove around Manhattan I thought I was going to hate it, and i've hated New York City my whole life for no good reason, I loved it so much, it felt like heaven and I did not want to leave it. Well we had to get back to New Jersey and we took the Lincoln Tunnel. Well, I must say the Lincoln Tunnel seemed like the tunnel from heaven (New York) and hell (New Jersey). Oh and by the way, the neighborhood on the New York end of the tunnel is Hell's Kitchen, well I guess it has a bunch of restaurants that cook food directly shipped in from the ugly factories and warehouses of New Jersey as the trucks cross into heaven on the Lincoln Tunnel. That explains why the number of restaurants is so much higher in New York City than across the Hudson river in New Jersey. I'll probably be in New Jersey again, it's the US, so its not too bad, but it seems that way when you leave New York City. From what I have noticed, it's the worst state i've seen so far. Just too industrial and nothing really pretty or nice to see, from what I have noticed. I guess I could see more of the state, Atlantic City may be overrated, its a gambling town. Cape May we thought about visiting, it might be nice as well, but no where in New Jersey is near the top of my list of places to visit.

my rating is no stars. If I had a choice I would never return to Jersey ever. The people are rude, self-absorbed, and full of Sh*t. They are not helpful or neighborly at all. It seems as though people would sooner die than help anyone else out. The state is expensive and getting worse by the second. It has no decent restaurants. It has more TICKS then I could even begin to count. The traffic at the shore is a nightmare in the summer. You have to pay to use the beach, that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Oh yeah, plus pay to park your car there too. There is nothing to do here at all that won't cost you an arm and a leg. Even going to the mall costs you in tolls. I am leaving here in 14 days and will never look back! I had every intention of rating this state with no stars, but that wasn't an option.

This state has some bad areas like Patterson, Camden, and Newark but our suburbs are the best in the country. You could live in a nice middle class suburb and pay about $8,000 per year for a half million dollar home. If you could spend more, live in a nicer town. Anyways, we have the best hikes in America, nice lakes, awsome beaches, history, clubs, sports events, movies, and tons of stores and great food.

PLEASE please do not leave NJ! i think you idiots should have a freaking wall built around your state to keep you from moving to other places. People from NJ are the most ignorant, know it all idiots, on this planet.

Full of Dangerous thugs who smell horrible & yell filthy stuff at you.

The ignorance of some of these comments is humorous at best.

Yes a life long New Jersey resident here, and yes I have my gripes. High property taxes are on the top of my list, however for those who are unmotivated or not smart enough to take advantage of the fact that we are the wealthiest state per capita to balance out the high cost of living, please by all means point your car to the nearest border and live out the rest of your whiney little live's elswhere.

If you have half a brain or better than average trade skills,this state is like a big bag of money that all you have to do is reach your hand into and take what you want. Survival of the fittest folks, and that's not a Jersey mentality, that's a Washington DC mentality.

"The Smell" represents less than 5% of an area close to NYC that is a vile combination of factories,refineries and dumps.
That smell puts more important products in this country's homes and business's than any other state in the country so suck it up if you don't like it on your visit, and if you live here and are complaining, then move you dumb-fk. Let the smell be a reminder that Jersey has taken one for the good of the team for a long time. You asshats make it seem like we produce garbage and let it rot in the sun just for shits and giggles.

I'm young enough to still tough it out here, I'm not wealthy by any means, but my wife and I have roots here and we'll stay so long as the rich want to keep spending money on their multi-million dollar one acre properties.

As far as people being rude. I would attribute most of that to the congested roads. On the road, people here and in most populated states think they're in a Sherman tank and nobody elses life is important.
At least we don't have shooters like on the I5 in So.Cal.

In the last 20years the age of friendly neighbors has all but vanished. If you speak to one of your neighbors more than twice a month consider yourself lucky. People here are truly self absorbed and rarely pay out a compliment or an act of kindness. This should'nt be taken as one broad sweeping statement because there are always exceptions, but like I said it's not what it was twenty plus years ago. But then, what place is?

The taxes are outrageous, unions control the schools with an iron fist, and yes - people are leaving. Its no mystery why this Blue State ( and others) are seeing people and jobs flee. The NJ Governor is an idiot. The state is a dump. The people voting with their feet says it all..

New Jersey is losing people - and companies. I wonder why people and companies dont want to stay in one of highest taxed states on the planet? What a mystery?

You all are a bunch of idiots. For you who say that New Jersey has an enourmous amount of toll booths, why don't you go look at Florida? There is a toll every 1/4 mile on 417 and 408. Half of you people never even been to New Jersey. Also, those who say New Jersey people are "very rude", quit being such a pussy, and save it for your momma bitch.

Crime, high taxes,filth, and on and on. The state is a dump.

I grew up in Norhtern Jersey but now live in Johnson County Kansas. Would I ever move back?? absolutely not!!! On the other hand, would I pass up a weeks vacation to the Garden State?? NOT A CHANCE!! With deep family roots and some good old friends I would not miss a chance to fly into Newark. Kansas is very beatiful and hospitable but trust me... THERE IS NOTHING TO DO IN KANSAS!! (and Missouri as well)

Yes, the cost of living is too much for me. Not to mention the traffic on the Parkway and the smells of the Turnpike. But there are things in Jersey that you just cannot get anywhere else. Like a REAL pizza pie. Here in Kansas pizzas are nothing more than cheese on a cracker. Taylor's Ham is impossible to find. A hard roll and butter is almost impossible. There are many places here in the midwest that offer Jersey style foods but it never compares.

I also enjoy the many shore attractions that you obviously cannot get in Kansas. Avalon, Point Pleasant, and Wildwood to name a few. I do have to admit I was dissapointed the last time I visited Seaside Heights.

So, the overall neglect that has fallen upon New Jersey is enough to keep me in Kansas but not enough for a weeks visit.

So, along as Jersey keeps making greasy pizza and keeps talor's Ham well stocked I have no choice but to visit every chance I get

Look before you laugh!

New Jersey is crowded and sprawly. Bad roads and highways and you pay a hefty toll at every turn. It has some nice parts around the Delaware River in the northwest and Jersey Shore but even the scenic wooded hills are being eaten up by McMansions like around I-287 which was pretty rural about 10 years ago. It seems to enjoy the quality of life here you need family roots planted here that go back 3 generations and a 6 figure income. The area on the Jersey Turnpike around Newark is nasty and smells putrid. Little wonder this state is having a big exodus of people moving out.

North Jersey--losing good manufacturing jobs--sprawl and decay. South Jersey--Camden and Atlantic City--disaster areas--rest sprawl. Why even mention Central New Jersey? Jersey Shore--vast groups of angry army ants agitating against all others. (Help!) NW of Trenton is still decent.

Good, clean diner...appetizers aren't that tasty(very salty...have tried several!)but the breakfast is awesome!
pasta is always overcooked and sauces bland, soups are great if you get them early. lobster bisque is one of my favorites

I just got back from a weekend trip from new Jersey was born and raised there and still have family there. I live in Florida for 3 years now and as much as I love my parents and siblings I dread getting on a plane with my kids and going there. The cops are the worst. There are too many of them and they have a "God complex" attitude and making up there own laws as they go along.

Yes, I must admit the convenience of being able to get anything at a whim's notice is cool. The people are best in that area because jersey people are extremely hard workers. I wont take that away from them.
The friends and family that I still have there are not happy and there is a lack of privacy. The general public are the rudest,materialistic, judgemental, living in denial,oppionated,pompass *****. People will literally gawk and stare at you because they think they have that right to do so. Forget about being able speak at all to anyone, chances are you wont be able to finish a sentence without being interrupted
Even though it's my home state I don't know why anyone would want to live there much less visit unless it is for historical sites.
Sorry Jersey, You're in denial. Life is so much better elsewhere. I even knew that when I lived there.

I've lived in New Jersey all my life, and I basically have a love/hate relationship with the state. Positives = a fun place to be in the summer with some nice beaches and boardwalks, a few quaint little towns like Princeton and Red Bank that are worth checking out (the latter features a store director Kevin Smith owns), awesome proximity to two of the largest cities in the country Philadelphia and New York City, some beautiful areas in the center or western area of the state (with remote rural farming areas, lakes, the pine barrens and high point state park), casino gambling in the 2nd biggest casino city in the US, some small cities in NJ are concidered among the safest in the country, and also lots of history and culture. What also makes this state unique, yet sad but also sometimes triumphant is places like Asbury Park and Atlantic City, and how they were once highly popular beach resorts earlier in the 20th century, their horrible declines and their attempts at revitalizing, to at least somewhat successful results. You don't have infamous stories to go along with small cities like that in most other states that I know of. Also the Weird NJ website/magazine really is fascinating stuff about the kind of strange historical artifacts you'll find here. Negatives = very ugly looking state in most areas - even the backwoods rural areas, north-east of the state near New York is absolutely INFESTED with the largest amounts of traffic in the country (NJ is the most densely populated state and NYC the most populous city in the US afterall) and the closest you are to Elizabeth and Newark the more the air stinks horribly, Camden is the poorest city in the US and the most crime ridden (with Trenton and Newark, some of the worst shitholes you'll ever see, close to the top of the list as well), as other residents of NJ will tell you: this state has the worst amount of tolls on it's highways in the country, you can't pump your own gas (which depends on the person. Some see this as a positive thing about the state), incredibly expensive housing prices, and most of the people are incredibly callous especially the rich pompous people. I will admit that I kinda miss living near Philly and NYC when I am away, but as soon as I come home, I regret coming back. I do not recommend living here unless you could afford the high taxes, housing prices and you have a good paying job, but if you must, there are some really nice places to live and almost anywhere in the state you go, you're still a reasonable driving distance from NYC or Philly. Overall though, I think there are way better places to live in the US, or at least certainly less run-down, ugly and same-y looking.

NEW JERSEY IS LOUSY I HATE IT MORE THAN ANYTHING IN THIS WORLD NOT TO MENTION ALL THE TOLLS I NEVER SEEN A STATE WITH SO MANY TOLLS IN MY LIFE, ALSO NEW JERSEY IS THE HOME OF THE WORST BILL COLLECTORS ONE COLLECTOR FROM NJ CALLED AND SCREAMED AT MY WIFE I TOLD HIM I WILL COME TO NJ AND BREAK YOUR NECK.

There are worse places--Cleveland, Buffalo, and Hell come to mind--but the foul smell of chemicals wafting through the air from no discernable source, combined with extraordinarily rude people (rudest of any place I've ever lived, and I've lived in 5 states on both coasts and in between) make it none too good, either. It seems that the only people who really love NJ grew up here. Just check out the reviewers who gave it 5 stars. Sure, there's a state pride here, but trust me, this is not a place that you want to move. Complete strangers are nothing short of hostile or act as if you don't exist by--no joke-- bumping into you or completely ignoring you. Customer service is non-existent. Driving, even in suburban areas, is complicated by the fact that drivers honk, tailgate, and actually yell expletives out their windows. It is an extraordinarily difficult place to become accustomed to. If you're from here, maybe the reason you like it is because you fit in here.

A great place to be in the summer. Great food and shopping. Also boring and rude people.

This might be the weirdest reason to rate Jersey so high, but this state has the BEST diners. Most are Greek run and offer anything from shrimp scampi to french toast to chicken croquettes!

I lived in NJ for 18 years. I miss it largely because I spent the better part of my life there, but there are some serious cons to this place that should be explained. The traffic and crumbling urban centers are just blighted wastelands. Anywhere from Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Trenton, Camden, and Paterson are awful sprawling ghettos that are only spiraling further downward. There is no solution to the urban decay in NJ. I have discovered that NJ is a dichotomy of the very rich and the very poor. Once you go about 45 minutes away from either NYC or Philly, there are these impressively affluent suburbs. However, the people who inhabit these suburbs are high-strung, overeducated, corporate folks who can afford the high cost of living, taxes, etc. The road system allows you to get anywhere, provided it is not backed up with some type of traffic. Princeton, NJ is an absolutely beautiful, quaint town. The Delaware Water gap area is very beautiful too, but I don't even like to think of that area as part of NJ anymore. You are so close to PA, it might as well have been eaten by PA. The state universities all suck, with the exception of probably Rutgers-New Brunswick and Rutgers - Newark. The beaches are crowded, angry places where the army ants rule and normality is squashed. Route 1 and 9 are hellish highways that go through the heart of sprawl and ghettos in northeastern NJ. Avoid it at all costs if you are trying to escape with your life. If you get by these aspects, and have enough money to live in the nice suburbs, you will enjoy living here. However, the expense of living here definitely comes with the added benefit of conveniences such as food, civilization, forward thinking, rather liberal minded people. Cross the border from NJ to PA, and it's definitely a different culture.

I drove up and down this state during the summer while I was visiting Penn. This state is pretty dirty and bare if you ask me. Trenton is very dirty and poverty ridden. The inner state is mostly just roads and trees. Spring lake is one of the only decent shorelines but you have to pay to sit on the beach! The two hour drive from Spring Lake to Atlantic City wasn't worth it either. Atlantic City was very cheesy and filled with unimpressive buildings and very dangerous suburbs. The sand along the pier was filled with sharp shells and beer cans. The drive back up to Scranton, Penn. that night wasn't any better. There is hardly any lighting on Jersey roads and the exit signs are hard to see. I find it unsurprising that on the way back home I wound up in Buttsville, one of NJ's backwards little towns. What a bad experience.

I have lived in New Jersey for nearly my entire life (with a brief excursion to Connecticut for college) and I can say categorically that no place in America is as misunderstood as New Jersey. Its hard to explain, but unless youve lived here, just take my word for it. New Jersey is a place of inherent contradictions. On one hand, it is one of the wealthiest states in the U.S. in terms of median and per-capita income. Yet, on the other hand, it is home to some of the most poverty-stricken and crime-ridden cities in the country (Newark, Camden & Trenton). It is the countrys most densely populated state (all 21 counties are considered urban by the Census Bureau) yet has some of the most beautiful rolling hills and forests in the country. NJ is also home to a large number of Fortune 500 companies, the majority of the countrys pharmaceutical manufacturers and the highest concentration of PhDs in America. Although its urban core may be crumbling, the affluent suburbs that surround them are beautiful and thriving communities with some of the best standards of living and education anywhere. Pros: Proximity to NYC & Philly. The best beaches in the Northeast. Cheap gas. The ability to literally buy anything you want within a five minute drive from your house. Delaware Water Gap. Casinos. Great Food (try to get pizza or bagels outside of NY/NJ and youll know what Im talking about). Diversity. Princeton University. White Castle. Cons: TRAFFIC. Ridiculously high taxes and insurance rates. Cold a$$ winters and hot, humid summers. Overzealous cops (they WILL bust you for going 26 mph!). Only having the Jets & Giants to watch on Sundays. Bon Jovi. All in all, one of the best places to live and grow up. And finally, why pump your own gas when someone else will do it for you?!?

We have the highest real estate taxes. We have the highest auto insurance rates. Our lives are maximally controlled by excessive laws and regulations. A multimillionaire bought the governorship and is going to add 14.6 cents to each gallon of gasoline. I live in a bitter, racist little town named Gladstone, we have awful neighbors who call the cops if you walk your dog on their side of the street. Do not come here, the police is so bored and the speed limit is 25mph.

You New Jersey denizens don't know how good you have it, until you move to ass-backwards places like Ohio! I've lived in New York and New Jersey all of my life, until I moved here to the Cleveland area to be with my lovely wife (who is from Ohio) when I turned '30-something'. All I can tell you, is that I must REALLY REALLY REALLY LOVE MY WIFE, being stuck now in Ohio for the better of 10 years!!! Appreciate 'The Garden State' folks!!! You have nice beaches, nice suburbs, great shopping, restaurants, culture, concerts, educated people, good job opportunites compared to Ohio, proximity to NYC, etc. etc. etc. I would do ANYTHING to be able to move back there!!!!

I think New Jersey is actually a very nice, lovely state. The forests are beautifal, the people are nice (most of the time) and it has a lot of history. Me and my 2 friends were once biking down a road at night and 1 of my friends fell. Someone came up to us and helped my friend up, and I got help. And yes, this was in Jersey. The air is actually pretty clean in most areas. It doesnt smell. It's just different from other states. Its something you have to get use to. I run cross country and track for my school in northern jersey and I have asthma, and i'm fine, and I am not having an asthma attack when I cross that finnish line. New Jersey has a lot of history too. Take a look at the northern valley in northern new jersey. Towns like Closter and Fort Lee have a long line of history. Without NJ, we probably would have not one the revolutionary war. New Jersey is a melting pot of many races and religions. Thats what I like about Jersey. Our accent is also very normal, along with NY. Like for exacmple... We say two as too compared to other states that say twooo. Some people may be rude in NJ, but that doesn't mean the majority is. Im proud to be from Jersey! (srry... just had to say that)

I was born and I live here, and there isnt much problems. So what if new jersey has gangs and dirty areas, every place has those spots. There are many places to have loads of fun, also places to learn history for the little children. Jersey is still decent compare to other parts of the world.

Dirty beaches, greasy people, New York wannabees, Philadelphia wannabees. Need I say more....Why not, the roads suck the people suck, it smells.

I moved to New Jersey from New York fifteen years ago. First, I lived in Essex County then I moved to Roselle in Union County. I have to say that my last move was like jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Roselle (as well as the rest of Union County) is a property tax trap! The town has a property tax scam going where people wishing to sell their property can have their tax rate rolled back temporarily until the house is sold. A year after the property is sold the new owner is faced with sticker shock when their property taxes are rolled forward to where it really should be. In the twelve years that I've lived in Roselle, I've seen my property taxes grow to 180% of its original value. Talk about inflation! Now to help pad their property tax income, the town is finding other ways to penalize homeowners. They have an ambiguous set of rules for garbage pickup that they provide to their citizens. If you become confused about the type of garbage that should be put out on a certain day, they'll make you pay for it dearly with a mandatory court appearance as well fines and court fees. What's more, they require that only certain forms garbage must be left in your backyard while other types of garbage must be placed in your front yard. The private garbage pickup service has to come into your backyard for certain types of garbage only. This extra service is obviously passed on to the taxpayer. The quality of public school education in this town is atrocious. Most parents I know are doing the same thing that I am doing. They are putting their kids in private schools outside of this town. Needless to say, the Board of Education is one of the burdens that the homeowner in this town has to carry on their backs by way of property taxes. The administration of this town is incompetent, inept and indifferent to its citizens. New Jersey is not a great place to live. Moreover, I vote Roselle to be the worst place in New Jersey to be a homeowner!

My husband, daughter, and I just moved to New Jersey from Colorado. I was excited to get a taste of "east coast living." To say we are disappointed in this state would be the understatement of the year. We have been here six months and have yet to meet anyone who is not a local - everybody has connections, and that's the only way you can get anything done here. If you are moving from out of state, be prepared for a nightmarish ordeal buying a house, getting a drivers license, and looking for a job. Nine million people crammed into a tiny state create a real feeding frenzy when it comes to competition for resources. Even though I was warned the people in Jersey were rude, I didn't want to believe it. Sadly, the New Jersey stereotype well-earned - honesty, integrity, and compassion are rare qualities in the people here. It's a shame, because the state is (was?) gorgeous - world class beaches and beautiful forests. The people make it ugly.

The armpit of the east coast. Rude people and the state smells esp.northern NJ, yuk!

THE BEST FUN!!!

A handful of okay beaches and proximity to NYC and Philadelphia are a plus. . .but the toll roads, taxes, and unfriendly-commuter atmosphere (traffic jams, can't pump your own gas) make this state a forgettable experience in the American spectrum. Then again, everyone I've ever met has a strong opinion on Jersey, thus it always seems to be memorable.

I believe my opinion here counts. I was born & grew up in NJ. I lived there for 32 years. I had good memories of growing up, the Jersey shore was the best. I do miss the amusement parks...somewhat (more on this in a moment) and a lot of good people. My wife's and my family all still reside there and we go visit for every major holiday from our new home in South Carolina. The fact is that NJ is now just a bedroom for NYC. I sadly read another post where he called NJ'rs materialistic. I cringed because I knew he was right. Little Mini-mansions put on every poker chip size landmass are abounding. All the forest and woods when I was a kid are gone. The population is out of control and the drivers suck. You cannot pump your own gas and now I know what a foolish childlike thing that is. The tools are the worst in the nation and nothing less than highway robbery. They had been promising to removed the GSP tolls for about 20 years now! It is stressful and agitating, and will rip the soul out of you. Only people from NYC would think NJ is the sticks now and move there. After living away from NJ for 5 years now I realize how bad it has really gotten. From the moment I go over the border I get someone tailgating me, massive traffic, traffic jams, unable to pump own gas with rude attendants who take forever, tolls (lots and lots of em), poorly maintained roadways, factories, plastic people and plastic women (especially young girls trying to illustrate how much ass they can show you), stop and go constantly (I have never seen so many lights and stop and go traffic), Quick checks-Dunkin Doghnuts-Wawa-7-11!! How many stores can you have in one place!? And every iota of land is beimng built upon. Usually the Mini-mansions I referred to. A HUGE house with basically no land because the people in NYC and NJ just keep having more babsies and spewing out into the rest of the country. I should know, I am one of em. I at least had the common sense to move away from the toilet NJ has become. I just pray for my family sometimes in that harsh place. Unless you have lived elsewhere you will not KNOW the toilet NJ has become. I am sad to say this, it is after all my home state. If it were not for my family I would NEVER go back. Oh by the way, yes there are some nice places in NJ, I explored it from top to bottom. The Pine Barrens, the Water Gap and Willowood are wonderful, but of course getting there sucks (roads, tolls, stop and go, and stop, stop, stop) and now it is overpopulated and people are putting grafitti and trash in the woods. To all up there, I wish you all the best. If you love it there, cool. But make sure you pay attention to your blood pressure.

Ths is the worst excuse for a state.. Trashy and very rude people.

jersey gets a bad rap cause of tv and movies. but it aint too bad. the southern part and ne corner are very beautiful actually. but, atlantic city and the newark, northern new jersey parts are what drag the state down.

The state has huge urban cores around New York and Philly that are crowded, with lots of traffic and industry that 'smell'. Costs around the NYC area are very high-less so near Trenton and Philly. Cape May and the southern part of the state along with the Atlantic beaches are very nice.Lots of history, urbane and spohisticated.

What could posibly be wrong with this state!!! I love it!!!!

i love it so much here, and the surf is awsome!!! Jersey is the best! it is so much fun , everything from the shore to Great Adventure! is so cool!

Surprisingly nice. With the exception of places like Newark, Paterson, Jersey City and Elizabetn, New Jersey is a sophisticated, fun, clean, and interesting state. I also liked Hoboken, it is essentaily part of manhattan, it is only a few hundred yards away cut off only by the hudsonn river. The Jersey shore has a real simple pleasures' feel to it. It is mostly developed, but still very fun, and it doesn't get battered with hurricanes every year like the beaches in the south do. A lot of people move to NJ when they are transfered to either the NYC or Philadelphia area from abroad. New Jersey is stereotyped to be mostly like Newark, but in reality, most of the state is like Nutley, Parsippany-Troy Hills or Point Pleasant.

Jersey gets a bad rap. It's decent. I prefer South Jersey to North but overall it's a good state.

New Jersey has so much to offer and it is just such a nice state were you can never have nothing to do!

Has its bad spots, but then again every state has a few of those. Some of the smaller towns and areas away from the Turnpike and more urban areas are quite nice, and the beaches are fun. Generally viewed as a high tax spend, but I suppose it pays off, as New Jersey is ranked quite high when it comes to health, education and personal wealth. I personally wouldn't find it very economically satisfying to live there, but it's a nice place to visit.

Dirty, smelly in some places yes. But some remote areas in the Delaware water gap and southern reaches of the state. The region near NYC is overwelming to say the least- traffic is bad, and costs are stratospheric. Much history, and a tolerant populace.

I try to be positive,but this state stinks like the dead skunk that was under my window the other morning! The people are extremely materialistic, and all they can conversate about is money, cars, weddings and homes. Alot of Jersey is very pretty but the people there makes it ugly. Trenton is horrible and so is Newark. I wouldnt live there if someone offered me 100million dollars(no lie). I'll stick with Pennsylvania and south of there. Thanks!. Only good thing about Jersey is I met my wonderful husband there!!

Despite urban sprawl, heavy traffic in and around New York and Philly- the state in the south has miles of empty and peaceful areas-not too mention its ocean resorts. A state that is much maligned- but overall has a better then average quality of life then many states.

NJ has some real armpits-especially near NYC- lots of refineries and chemical plants- yuk. But other parts of the state have empty forests and great beaches- that seem remote and peaceful and are totally opposite of the urban landscape in and around New York. The state despite the mess and sprawl in the north has an excellent record on the envirionment. Lots of Historical places to visit as well. Excellent colleges, and a well informed populace.

I love New Jersey to live in and everything else!! when ever i go away i miss it so much! Jersey has everything! there is a lo of fun things to do here. And it