Why New Jersey is the Best State to Live In

Often the butt of jokes from visitors from neighboring states, and negative stereotyping from TV shows like the Sopranos, despite all of that, New Jersey continues to attract people looking for good paying jobs, quality healthcare and education, awesome leisure activities, and a great place to raise kids.

I am quick to acknowledge that New Jersey is not an inexpensive state to live in. The definition of best does not mean "cheap" or "inexpensive".

While you may be paying more, New Jersey has the nation's best state and municipal services contributing to an infrastructure that supports a safe environment and a variety of quality of life services. As a wise old man once told me "You get what you pay for".

Top Five Reasons Why New Jersey is the Best State to Live In.

Healthcare - By almost any measure, NJ is at the top of any list in states with the best healthcare. Ranked #1 in lowest (best) population under served by primary care physicians and ranked 7th in lowest infant mortality rate in 48 states. Source: AARP. Ranked 8th out of 50 states in number of Physicians/1000. Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2004-2006 Data. And just across the river in NYC and Philadelphia, New Jersey residents have access to some of the best medical institutions and doctors in the world.

Low Crime Rate - Ranked 4th in property crime and 13th in violent crime out of 31 states east of the Mississippi River. Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2004-2006 Data. And when you consider that New Jersey has the highest population density in the U.S., New Jersey is a very safe place to live and is a credit to the state and the municipalities in crime protection and law enforcement.

Student Education Grades K-12 - New Jersey stands tall when it comes to education; New Jersey is Ranked #1 out of 50 states in Grade 8 to High School graduation rates; Source: National Board and Educational Testing Policy and Ranked #4 in the lowest (best) Student/Teacher ratio. Source: IES National Center for Education Statistics.

Entertainment - New Jersey is a Mecca for entertainment. Because of the states small size, world class entertainment is in easy reach of most New Jersey residents. There are major entertainment venues throughout the state as well as the hotel casino's, and the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey is a magnet for world class entertainment. New Jersey also has 2 NFL teams, a NBA team, and a NHL Team. And with New York City and Philadelphia, just across the river with Broadway shows and major entertainment venues, the entertainment options for New Jersey residents are unbeatable.

Geographic Diversity - With outstanding beaches like Wildwood being the best on the East Coast, beautiful hills and mountains in Northwest NJ, and quaint Victorian towns like Cape May, New Jersey's diverse geography is easily accessible within an hour's drive from almost any place in the state. National Geographic magazine has called New Jersey "America in Miniature."

Frank Dalotto is a freelance writer and travel consultant and is the owner and editor of New Jersey Leisure Guide and a travel consultant for Leisure Travel Mart.

He is a member of ASTA (American Association of Travel Agents) and CLIA (Cruise Line International Association).

His academic credentials are:
MBA, Pace University
BSEE, University of Missouri