So, you’re thinking about swapping the 405 for the Garden State Parkway. It’s a massive move. We aren't just talking about a time zone change or a longer flight; moving from Los Angeles to NJ is a fundamental recalibration of how you exist in the world. People usually focus on the weather. Sure, you’ll trade year-round 72-degree days for actual seasons, but the shift goes way deeper than a winter coat. It’s about the pace, the taxes, and the weirdly specific way people in New Jersey treat breakfast.
Honestly, it’s a culture shock.
The Logistics of the 2,800-Mile Haul
Shipping your life across the country is expensive. If you’re looking at full-service movers like United Van Lines or North American, expect quotes to land anywhere between $6,000 and $15,000. It depends on how much stuff you’ve hoarded in that Echo Park apartment. Pro tip: sell the IKEA furniture. It costs more to move a particle-board desk than it's worth.
Driving is an option. It takes about 40 to 45 hours of actual wheel time. Most people take I-40 or I-80. If you take the I-80 route, you're hitting Nebraska and Iowa. It's flat. Really flat. But seeing the transition from the Rockies to the plains and finally into the dense, green humidity of the East Coast is something you've gotta experience once. Just watch out for deer once you hit Pennsylvania. They're everywhere.
The Vehicle Situation
Keep your car. You might think, "Oh, I'll just use NJ Transit."
Wrong.
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Unless you are living in a specific hub like Hoboken, Jersey City, or maybe Morristown, you need a car. New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the country, but it’s still suburban. The "burbs" here aren't like the sprawl of the Valley. They're older, tighter, and way more aggressive. Also, NJ has a weird law: you can’t pump your own gas. You just pull up, wait for an attendant, and say "Regular fill up, please." If you try to jump out and do it yourself, someone will yell at you. It’s a luxury you didn’t know you needed until you’re sitting in a warm car during a February sleet storm.
Property Taxes and the "Jersey Tax"
Let's talk money because Los Angeles isn't cheap, but New Jersey has its own brand of financial pain. California has Prop 13, which keeps property taxes somewhat predictable. New Jersey doesn’t have that.
NJ has the highest property taxes in the United States.
You might find a beautiful colonial house in Montclair or Ridgewood for the same price as a fixer-upper in Silver Lake, but your monthly escrow is going to melt your brain. We are talking $15,000, $20,000, or even $30,000 a year in property taxes alone for a standard family home. You have to factor that into your mortgage math immediately.
State income tax is another beast. California is higher at the top end, but NJ isn't exactly a tax haven. However, you'll save on gas. Since the refineries are literally right there in North Jersey, gas prices are consistently lower than the astronomical rates at the Chevron on Santa Monica Blvd.
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The Neighborhood Breakdown
Where you land matters. When moving from Los Angeles to NJ, you have to decide what "vibe" you’re trying to replicate or escape.
- The Gold Coast (Jersey City & Hoboken): This is for the people who aren't ready to give up the urban feel. It’s basically the "Sixth Borough" of NYC. It’s walkable, expensive, and has incredible views of the Manhattan skyline.
- The "Preppy" Burbs (Chatham, Summit, Short Hills): If you want top-tier schools and a 40-minute train ride into Penn Station, this is it. It’s very "East Coast traditional." Think J.Crew, not Jenni Kayne.
- The Shore (Asbury Park, Belmar, Red Bank): If you’re a Venice Beach person, Asbury Park is your spot. It’s got the music history—thanks, Bruce—the boardwalk, and a gritty-but-cool arts scene.
- South Jersey (Cherry Hill, Haddonfield): This is a different planet. It’s technically "Philly" territory. They say "hoagie" instead of "sub" and "water ice" instead of "shaved ice." It’s generally a bit more affordable than the northern part of the state.
The Social Contract: Directness vs. Passive-Aggressiveness
In LA, if someone says "Let's do lunch," they usually mean "I never want to see you again."
In New Jersey, people are direct. Some call it rude. It’s not. It’s a matter of efficiency. New Jerseyans value time more than almost anything else. If you're holding up the line at a deli because you can't decide between a bagel or a roll, the person behind you will let you know. It’s a "kind but not nice" culture. They’ll stop to help you change a flat tire in a snowstorm, but they’ll make fun of you for not knowing how to do it the whole time.
You've got to toughen up the skin a little bit. The fake-nice veneer of Southern California doesn't exist here. It's refreshing once you get used to it. You always know where you stand.
The Food: A Hill to Die On
You are going to lose Mexican food. Just accept it now. There are some decent spots in places like Passaic or New Brunswick, but nothing will ever compare to a taco truck in East LA.
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But you gain the breakfast sandwich. Specifically, the Pork Roll (or Taylor Ham, depending on which side of the Raritan River you live on). It’s a processed meat product that is salty, fatty, and perfect. Get it on an everything bagel with egg and cheese. Salt, pepper, ketchup. Don’t ask what’s in it. Just eat it.
Also, the pizza. California pizza is fine if you like "toppings" and "innovation." NJ pizza is about the crust and the water. It’s foldable. It’s greasy. It’s better. Same goes for the diners. A real NJ diner is open 24/7, has a 12-page menu, and serves a mean disco fry (fries with gravy and mozzarella).
The Commute Reality Check
If you thought the 101 was bad, wait until you meet the Garden State Parkway during shore season. On a Friday in July, everyone in the state tries to go south at the same time. On Sunday, they all go north.
The public transit is better than LA’s, but that’s a low bar. NJ Transit is the lifeblood of the state. It’s how thousands of people get to work in New York City every day. The trains are generally reliable, but when they fail, they fail spectacularly. If there’s an issue with the "North River Tunnels" under the Hudson, you’re stuck.
Practical Steps for Your Move
Transitioning from Los Angeles to NJ requires more than just packing boxes. You need a strategy for the physical and mental shift.
- Audit your wardrobe in October. Do not wait until January. You need a real parka. Not a "fashion" coat from Zara, but a heavy-duty down jacket from a brand like Patagonia or North Face. Also, waterproof boots. Slush is your new enemy.
- Update your registration immediately. New Jersey is strict about this. You have 60 days to flip your license and registration. The MVC (their DMV) is legendary for being a headache, so make an appointment online weeks before you move.
- Check the flood maps. When looking at houses, don't just look at the kitchen. NJ gets hit by remnants of hurricanes and heavy "nor'easters." Check if the property is in a flood zone. Flood insurance is an extra cost you don't want to be surprised by.
- Understand the "Township" system. In California, counties handle a lot. In NJ, every tiny town is its own fiefdom with its own police, fire department, and school system. This is why taxes are so high, but it also means very localized services. Research the specific town, not just the county.
- Get an E-ZPass. You’re going to be driving through tolls constantly. The Lincoln Tunnel, the Holland Tunnel, the Turnpike—they all cost money. Doing it without an electronic tag is a nightmare of "pay-by-mail" fees.
Moving across the country is a reset button. You’re trading the Pacific sunset for the Atlantic sunrise. It’s a trade-off of palm trees for fall foliage, and traffic for... well, different traffic. But for many, the proximity to NYC, the high-quality schools, and the raw honesty of the people make the move from LA to the East Coast a permanent change. Be ready for the cold, keep your blinker on, and learn to love the smell of a bagel shop at 6:00 AM.