If you’re living in Queens, Brooklyn or Staten Island and your mind keeps drifting to “Could we do this somewhere else…?” then you’re not alone. More New York City residents are making the leap across the Hudson for the perks of space, affordability and commuter-friendly living. As an experienced broker focusing on Northern NJ, here’s the real deal—no fluff, just what you (and your clients) need to know about the move from NYC to Northern New Jersey.
1. Cost of Living: Get More House for Your Money
Let’s cut to the chase—NYC is expensive. Renting or buying in Brooklyn, Queens or Staten Island often means packing into smaller spaces and paying more. Meanwhile:
- According to Investopedia, compared to NYC you’ll find more home for less money in Northern NJ — cheaper housing, bigger living spaces, and easier car ownership.
- For residents leaving Staten Island specifically, one blog lists “lower housing rates” and “bigger property size” as key reasons for the move.
- A Redditor put it bluntly: “We looked in Jersey and got a house for 550 k that would have been 850 k or more in SI.”
Translation: Your NYC salary goes farther in Northern NJ. That brownstone you’re selling? You might upgrade to a home with a yard and still come out ahead.
2. Commute Proximity: You Don’t Have to “Fall Off the Grid”
One big worry people have is “If I move to New Jersey, I’ll be remote.” Not true—especially in the northern corridor.
- The benefit? You can live in suburban settings and still commute into Manhattan in 30–60 minutes depending on where you pick.
- For working in NYC and living in NJ, you’ll still need to file both states’ tax returns, but you’re exempt from NYC’s city income tax. That means more money in your pocket.
In short: You get the suburban benefits without sacrificing the city job access. Commuter savvy.
3. Quality of Life Upgrade
Let’s talk about what you get that you might be sacrificing in NYC.
Space + Nature
Northern NJ has parks, waterfronts, open yards—things that are harder to come by in Brooklyn or Queens. More room for BBQs, kids, pets, hobbies.
Schools & Families
If you’re thinking ahead (and you are), NJ public schools are consistently ranked better than NYC’s. One article says NJ ranked 3rd in school system quality versus NY’s 24th.
Suburb-But-Still-Connected
You’re not dropping off the map. You can get to NYC, weekends happen, culture and city life is still in the mix—but you’re also plugging into quieter evenings and weekends.
4. Tax & Financial Considerations: What You Should Know
We’re in finance mode now—important for you and your clients.
- When you live in NJ and work in NYC, you’re exempt from NYC income tax. Good.
- But you will file in both NY (as non-resident for your NYC earnings) and NJ (resident).
- Property taxes in NJ? They’re high compared to many places, so make sure buyers are prepared. One article flags NJ property taxes as a major con of moving.
- Car ownership becomes realistic again (free driveway vs NYC parking nightmares) and everyday expenses (food, utilities) tend to be lower.
Bottom line: The financial upside is real—but not without doing your homework. You’re not only looking at house costs, but tax load, commute time, lifestyle impact.
5. Best-Fit Buyer Profile: Who Moves & Why
As a broker, understanding who wants this move is critical.
Ideal client traits:
- Professionals commuting into Manhattan from Queens/Brooklyn/Staten Island who want a larger footprint for their dollar.
- Families wanting yard space, better schools but still want NYC career access.
- Empty-nesters or downsizers who want less hustle but don’t want total isolation from the city.
- People frustrated with NYC rent pricing, small living spaces, parking nightmares and ready for a lifestyle upgrade.
What they’re looking to talk about:
- “How far is the train/bus into NYC and cost/time?”
- “What do I get in terms of home size + neighborhood quality vs staying in NYC?”
- “What will my net costs be after taxes, commuting, property tax, insurance?”
- “What neighborhoods in Northern NJ give me suburban feel but don’t sacrifice access?”
6. Marketing This Move to NYC Residents
Since you’re already focused on Nutley, Essex/Bergen/Morris counties etc., here are ways to speak their language.
- Lead with space + lifestyle: “Bigger home, yard, less concrete”
- Emphasize smart move: “Having NYC access without living in NYC cost”
- Use real numbers: e.g., “Same budget, 30% more house”
- Address concerns upfront: commute times, lifestyle trade-offs, property tax transparency
- Use catchy SEO phrases like: “Queens/ Brooklyn to Northern NJ move”, “Staten Island commuter home Northern NJ”, “trade NYC crowd for NJ suburb”, “NYC salary goes farther in Northern NJ”
- Highlight your region: “Just 13 miles from NYC”, “commuter towns of Northern NJ”
- Visuals matter: show before/after of living spaces; suburb vs city; schools; parks
7. Top Sub-Markets & Neighborhood Features to Highlight
While you know your turf, remind readers of what to look for:
- Towns within 30-60 mins to Manhattan: good transportation access (train, bus, ferry)
- Solid school districts
- Mixed housing stock: single-family homes, townhomes with yard, commuter-friendly condos
- Walkability to restaurants/shops plus suburban tranquillity
- Access to nature: parks, trails, waterfront
You already list towns like Nutley, Bloomfield, Clifton — highlight commute lines, access to NYC, and homes that deliver bigger values than staying in NYC.
8. Risks, Realties & What to Watch
No move is perfect. You’ll need to prepare clients for trade-offs.
- Property taxes in NJ can be high. You might pay lower housing price but higher annual tax.
- Commute isn’t always short depending on location and time of day. You still need to factor in travel time and cost.
- If you’re used to the 24/7 NYC pace, suburb-life might feel quieter—some folks miss the city buzz.
- Check neighborhood infrastructure: train lines, bus routes, local amenities.
- Be honest: “Yes, you’re near NYC, but you’re living in NJ”—you get NJ taxes, NJ schools, NJ infrastructure.
9. Steps to Make This Move Smooth (Your Clients or You)
As somebody guiding this move, here’s the game plan:
- Pre-qualify the budget: Know what they’re spending now in NYC, what they want to spend in NJ, what difference it makes.
- Pick the commute line first: Narrow the towns by ideal commute (train/bus/ferry) then pick lifestyle match.
- Compare housing stock: Show examples of what “the same money” buys in NYC vs what it buys in Northern NJ.
- Run tax + cost of living numbers: Gross vs net income, property tax, state tax, commute cost, car cost.
- Neighborhood tour: Show the school scorecard, amen-it-ies, local vibe (restaurants, parks, social life)
- Create optics of transition: “You’ll be in a yard instead of a fire escape; you’ll park your car instead of circling all night”
- Keep NYC access alive: Show them how they’ll still get to Midtown Manhattan.
- Address fears: “Will the move feel like too much of a compromise?” Be transparent and talk lifestyle trade-offs.
10. Conclusion – The Opportunity Is Now
If you’re making real estate content, blog posts or social media for people living in Brooklyn, Queens or Staten Island who might be thinking “there has to be a better way,” this message hits hard:
Stay near NYC career, upgrade your living standard, get more for your budget, plug into suburban advantages while keeping city access.
In markets like Northern New Jersey (Nutley, Clifton, Bloomfield, Bergen & Morris Counties), the right homes exist. As a broker, you know where. As a marketer, you know how to show the upgrade. And as someone targeting high-net-worth or commuter professionals, you speak their language.
Moving out of NYC doesn’t mean leaving opportunity behind—it can mean doubling down on quality of life and keeping the city within reach. Be the guide that makes the move look smart, not scary. The space is waiting. The commute route is viable. The homes are out there. Let’s get your clients (or you) across that Hudson Bridge and into the next chapter.