South Jersey Magazine - Moorestown / Mt. Laurel

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SJM July NJ Feature - FINAL - REG 1 + 2_Pages 7 / 26 / 21 3 : 41 PM Page 2 its borders — most of the state comprises Philadelphia and New York suburbs but Does any other state have defenders Washington , D.C . , is just a quick train ride away — the Shore’s seasonal draw and who will just as soon and as ardently spout off its Atlantic City’s continual efforts to broaden best qualities as they will bitterly itemize their its appeal as a destination town underscore what a prime piece of real estate New biggest gripes like New Jersey does ? Jersey really is . “ I have always said New Jersey is the Perhaps counterintuitively , though , We take pride in being the butt of our state ranked pretty abysmally in some est , ” says Peggy Bowers of Burlington b everyone’s jokes . We own it whenever a important areas . While landing first in Township . “ The location is perfect , we new national poll names us among the safety , fifth in education and health , and have everything close : two amazing cities , least - liked states and proudly post “ Wel - seventh in quality of life is an impressive the Shore , lakes , the Poconos , farms , come to New Jersey — now go home ” trifecta , ranking 32nd in economy and a woods and fields . ” memes at the slightest prompting . Those woeful 49th in affordability indicates there She adds that the state’s geographic of us in South Jersey are especially used are some glaring downsides to calling diversity , where cityscapes and farmers ’ to rolling our eyes at distinctly North New Jersey home . markets are just as accessible as mountain Jersey or Jersey Shore stereotypes that But those issues don’t , objectively retreats and oceanside escapes , is matched eclipse our unique local identities . And speaking , detract enough from the other by a confluence of cultural influences , we can barely agree among ourselves : Is elements working to the state’s benefit too — how many of our towns have Italian it even worth risking the vehement in - that nudge it toward a favorable overall restaurants , sushi bars and taquerias all fighting that any mention of Central Jersey rating . on the same block ? inevitably inspires ? “ Even though New Jersey lacks afford - “ [ We have ] great restaurants , fantastic Despite its imperfections , New Jersey ability , there are several other factors that art and music venues , and sports teams remains the most densely populated state contributed to the state ranking first , ” from the two major cities , ” continues in the U.S . , as it has been for decades . Gonzalez notes . “ For example , it has the Bowers , who appreciates the proximity Whether we can readily rattle off our five second - highest median annual household to Philadelphia’s world - class entertainment biggest issues at a moment’s notice or income , over $ 80,000 . Looking at its econ - venues , like The Mann Center for the Per - balance our complaints with an equal omy , New Jersey has a very small share of forming Arts , where she and her husband number of upsides , we know living near the population living in poverty — 10 % — have volunteered for nearly 20 years . a wealth of conveniences also means daily and the third - smallest median “ What more do you need ? ” debt - to - traffic headaches . Or we’ve wondered if income ratio , about 33 % . It also ranked we’re getting enough from our tax dollars . high in terms of building permit growth Or we keep weighing the cost of a prime and food insecurity . ” location against the lower property taxes But how does that play out in daily of living a little farther from a trio of life ? And how do other residents feel ? metropolitan hubs . Whether we call the Garden State The people are real , home because it’s where our roots are , T H E P R O S the food is outstand - we’re waiting for our children to graduate , To Anita Hertzog , there is no place like “ its prime location or because we truly the Garden State . ing and the beaches love it , a recent study conducted by Wal - “ Why New Jersey ? Well , it’s home ! ” are spectacular . letHub suggests that its appeal isn’t that says the Edgewater Park resident , who hard to understand . After considering 52 was born in Mount Holly and lived in We’re also a stone’s varied factors , the personal finance website Burlington County until she was 15 , when throw away from so ranked New Jersey No . 1 overall in 2021 ’ s her family moved to South Florida . “ It Best States to Live In list . was complete culture shock ! Then when many great cities “ The state has a good quality public I was 38 , my husband and I moved to his and towns . ” school system and the fourth - largest high hometown of Allentown , Pennsylvania . school graduation rate in the country , … After he died , I realized I didn’t like the — M A T T H E W P O D O L N I C K Lehigh Valley that much and I still had 90.6 % . It got high scores for health due to some childhood connections , so I came its high life expectancy and low share of ‘ home ’ to New Jersey . ” obese adults , just 25 % , ” notes “ proud Bob Johns is a longtime New She loves what so many others Mount Laurel resident ” and WalletHub do Jersey analyst Jill Gonzalez . about the state : a great location , incredible resident and has been in real estate since Gonzalez continues : “ Other factors amenities and a flair all its own . 1988 . The Century21 agent is in a prime that account for New Jersey’s overall rank - “ The people are real , the food is out - position to see exactly what an advanta - ing are linked to its quality of life . The standing and the beaches are spectacular . geous location is worth — which is about state is very bicycle - friendly , with miles We’re also a stone’s throw away from so $ 50,000 to $ 80,000 more than it was before of trails for bicycling and walking , and many great cities and towns , ” says Matthew the pandemic led refugees from more also has good access to public transporta - Podolnick , a Cherry Hill resident who expensive , congested urban centers to tion , plenty of restaurants , fitness centers works as an attorney at Sherman & Sil - South Jersey’s previously untapped and and accessible beaches . Plus , it has a low verstein in Moorestown . comparatively more accommodating mar - crime rate and tops the other states in Looking past the fact that some of the ket . terms of safety . ” state’s biggest locational assets lie outside “ People are coming from different SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 18 issue 4 SouthJerseyMagazine.com | 45

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SJM July NJ Feature - FINAL - REG 1 + 2_Pages 7 / 26 / 21 3 : 41 PM Page 3 : Y E stand that you have to pay taxes , ” says S R E J Stephen Steglik , who’s both mayor and a W E ( ? ) N resident of Mount Laurel . “ It’s when one there’s that lack of bang for the buck that mber really frustrates taxpayers , like when their nu e taxes are high but their health care is finding the pros and cons easier ; however , we’r inadequate . I’m not blind to the fact that personal preference has an important people are struggling in this state and role in determining whether a state is taxes are one of the reasons . ” right or wrong for someone , ” Gonzalez parts of New York who never really looked The expenses of living in New Jersey notes . “ Each person has their own pri - at Gloucester County , New Jersey , before are a consequence of prime location , a orities and will decide based on them . and are seeing how much land they can bevy of local services and resources , easily For example , retirees may want to live buy , ” he says . taken - for - granted conveniences like nearby somewhere affordable with access to Janet Garraty has lived all over New stores and walkable school districts . Which quality health care , while those with fam - Jersey — she was even raised in the hotly is fine , if people feel like they’re getting ilies or who are just starting their careers contested Central Jersey region — and has what they pay for . would look for job opportunities and spent much of that time with the Glouces - But not everyone does . quality of life . ” ter County Chamber of Commerce , where Johns , who used to represent clients Indeed , Gonzalez says she and the she’s been a member for decades and as both the sellers of their previous home other WalletHub experts knew they’d be director for 18 months . Settling down in and buyers of their new one , has facing some passionate reactions : “ We the “ eds and meds ” corridor of the state increas - create these reports by analyzing hard has given her firsthand insight into how ingly found himself only handling one data and publishing our results with the much is available here . side of the transaction . And it’s not just purpose of informing our audience . We “ There’s a convenience to this state because out - of - staters are settling in Jersey : are aware that it’s nearly impossible for that nobody else gets , ” she says . “ I have It’s because South Jersey has seen its own all readers to agree with the results , and relatives in migration of residents seeking warmer other parts of the country . My we will likely receive all types of feedback . temperatures and lower taxes . sister in California has to travel 20 minutes But of course , everyone Taxes are one of the few sticking points just to get a gallon of milk . Meanwhile , I is entitled to their Garraty has with the state . live a mile from my grocery store , my gas own opinion . ” “ I think there can be a lot more done station and my dry cleaner . ” Gov . Phil Murphy was quick to respond in terms of improving the efficiency of Garraty and her husband had once to the rankings when they were shared our dollar , I think that’s the nut , ” she says . considered moving south but were quickly mid - June . “ You know it . I know it . All nine “ There needs to be a better understanding dissuaded when they realized what it million of us who call this state home of what people are getting for their dollars would take to give their children the same know it . New Jersey is # 1 , ” he tweeted . so people don’t think their money’s being education they were receiving through “ With our historic investments in educa - wasted — because some of it is . ” New Jersey’s public schools . tion , health care , and our communities , She does find some of the local trans - “ Years ago , we went to South Carolina , we’re going to keep building a stronger portation options decidedly wanting , too . and the realtor asked us , ‘ Are you thinking and fairer state — together . ” “ The only way I’d say I’m maybe not of moving with your family here ? Wait Both the governor and the state he getting what I’m paying for is in regard until the kids are grown because , whatever represents have their share of detractors , to education they’re getting , they’re not going many of whom point out all those invest - some of our infrastructure , some of to get it in the public school system here . ments come at taxpayers ’ expenses — and our roads , ” Garraty adds . “ I don’t even You’re going to have to send your kids to living in New Jersey doesn’t come cheap . know how much in gas tax I pay now , private school to get what you’re getting What good are world - renowned , life - and then my tolls went up . I think our in saving services when you can’t even afford roads are in good shape compared to New Jersey . ’ That was an eye - opener , ” them ? What’s the point of having great other states ’ , but I wonder if they could she recalls . public schools in increasingly prohibitively be better for what we pay . ” WalletHub isn’t the only study that priced communities ? gives us high marks in education . In April , “ I think Americans in general the state - by - state breakdown of the U.S . under - News & World Report Best High Schools rankings put New Jersey in fifth place ; in March , the same news magazine said New Jersey earned the No . 1 spot in its Best States for Education rankings in terms of its K - 12 offerings , noting an impressive 90.9 % high school graduation rate . Pair that with impressive safety rat - ings — No . 1 in WalletHub’s most recent annual survey , No . 4 in U.S . News & World Report’s overall safety ranking — and it’s obvious why New Jersey is a great place to raise a family , too . T H E C O N S “ The purpose of our studies is to make BORDENTOWN SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 18 issue 4 SouthJerseyMagazine.com 46 |

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