Moving to the "Sixth Borough" isn't just about escaping Manhattan's $4,500 studio apartments. It's a whole thing. People think they're just trading a subway ride for a PATH train, but honestly, the vibe shift when you cross the Hudson is massive. You've got to deal with the "New Jersey" stigma from your Brooklyn friends while secretly enjoying a backyard that doesn't smell like a garbage truck.
Most people looking for new jersey towns near new york city make the mistake of only looking at Hoboken. Big mistake. While Hoboken is basically a frat house that grew up and got a corporate job, the surrounding towns offer everything from skyline high-rises to quiet, tree-lined streets where people actually know their neighbors' names.
The Gold Coast Reality Check: Jersey City and Hoboken
Jersey City is huge. Like, surprisingly huge. If you’re looking at Downtown or Exchange Place, you’re basically in a cleaner version of Long Island City. The PATH train from Grove Street or Newport gets you to World Trade Center in about 15 to 20 minutes. It's fast. Faster than the G train, for sure.
But here is the catch: prices have spiked. As of early 2026, median rents in Jersey City hover around $2,900, and if you want a luxury building with a doorman, you’re looking at much more.
Then there's the Heights. This neighborhood sits on the cliff above the light rail. It’s got a grit that the waterfront lacks, but the food scene is incredible. We’re talking authentic pupusas and craft coffee shops that don’t feel like a chain. You’ve still got easy access to the city via the 123 bus or the 119, which takes you right into Port Authority.
Hoboken, on the other hand, is the square-mile city. You don't need a car. You probably shouldn't have a car, because parking is a nightmare involving confusing street-sweeping rules and a lot of prayer. It’s walkable, the bars on Washington Street are legendary, and the views from Pier A Park are honestly better than anything you’ll see from the Manhattan side.
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The "Secret" Skyline: Weehawken and West New York
If you want the views but hate the noise, move up the hill. Weehawken is the sleeper hit of Hudson County. It’s tucked right against the Lincoln Tunnel.
You can hop on a NY Waterway ferry and be at 39th Street in Midtown in roughly 8 to 10 minutes. It’s a luxury commute, and you pay for it—ferry passes aren’t cheap. But standing on the deck with a coffee while the sun hits the Empire State Building? That's a vibe.
West New York and North Bergen are further up the road. They are significantly more affordable. While Weehawken homes might average over $900,000, you can still find condos and multi-family homes in West New York closer to $570,000.
Why the Ferry Matters
- Speed: It beats the tunnel traffic every single time.
- Reliability: Rare delays compared to NJ Transit trains.
- Cost: It’s pricey—often over $300 for a monthly pass.
- Experience: Outdoor seating and a bar. Yes, a bar on the way home.
The Train Towns: Montclair and the "Midtown Direct"
Maybe you’re done with the high-rises. You want a porch. You want a lawnmower you’ll use twice a year.
Montclair is usually the first place people go. It’s been called "the suburb for people who hate the suburbs." It has an indie movie theater, an art museum, and more good restaurants than some mid-sized cities. The commute is about 40 minutes on the Montclair-Boonton line, but—and this is a big but—trains don't run directly to Penn Station on weekends. You’ll have to transfer at Newark Broad Street.
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Then you have the "sister" towns: Maplewood and South Orange. They share a school district and a very specific "creative professional" energy.
Maplewood Village is adorable. It looks like a movie set. The commute is a "Midtown Direct" line, meaning you sit on one train and it takes you straight to 34th Street. It’s roughly 35 minutes of peace where you can actually get work done or stare at your phone in total silence.
The Heavy Hitters: Summit and Ridgewood
If money is less of an object and schools are the priority, these are the towns everyone talks about in hushed, respectful tones.
Summit is a powerhouse. The downtown is polished, the schools are nationally ranked, and the train station is a major hub. You can catch an express train and be in Manhattan in about 35 minutes. Median home prices here often exceed $1.6 million, so it’s an investment.
Ridgewood, up in Bergen County, has a similar vibe but feels a bit more "classic Americana." Graydon Pool (which is actually a natural sand-bottom pond) is the center of the universe in the summer. The commute is a bit longer—around 50 to 60 minutes—often requiring a transfer at Secaucus, but for many, the quality of life is worth the extra podcast time.
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Don't Sleep on the "Inner Ring" Suburbs
There are towns that don't get the "Top 10" lists as often but are secretly great.
Bloomfield is right next to Montclair. You get the same train line and proximity to the same restaurants, but the property taxes and home prices are lower. It’s diverse, gritty in some parts, and incredibly charming in others.
Harrison is another one. It used to just be the place where the Red Bulls played soccer. Now, it’s a forest of luxury apartment buildings right on the PATH line. It’s one stop past Jersey City, and the rent is usually a few hundred dollars cheaper for the same amount of square footage.
The Real Talk About Taxes and Commuting
NJ property taxes are no joke. You might find a house that costs the same as a Brooklyn condo, but your monthly payment could be $1,000 higher because of the tax bill.
Also, NJ Transit is... a journey. Some days it’s a dream. Other days, a leaf falls on the track and the whole system collapses. You need a backup plan. Whether that's a bus route or a friendly neighbor with a carpool, never rely on just one way into the city.
Practical Steps for Your Search
- Test the commute at 8:00 AM. Don't visit on a Sunday and think you know what the ride is like. Take the bus or train on a Tuesday morning. It’s a different world.
- Check the weekend schedules. Some towns have great train service during the week and basically nothing on Saturdays. If you still want to go to dinners in the West Village, this matters.
- Look at the "Town Square." Walk the main drag. Is it all chains, or are there local coffee shops? If you’re leaving NYC, you probably still want a decent bagel nearby.
- Tax Assessment. Look at the "ratables" in the town. If there’s a lot of commercial property (like offices or malls), the residential tax burden is usually lower.
Picking a town near NYC is basically picking a personality. Are you a "waterfront high-rise" person or a "Victorian fixer-upper" person? The good news is, in New Jersey, you can actually be both. Just be prepared to explain to your Manhattan friends that no, you don't live in a "The Sopranos" episode—though you probably do know where to get the best cannoli.
To move forward with your search, start by mapping out the "Midtown Direct" train lines on the NJ Transit website to see which stops fit your target commute time. Then, pull the 2025-2026 property tax records for your top three towns to see how they impact your monthly budget compared to New York City’s income tax.