Moving from Canada to New Jersey, USA

Also referred to as the Garden State, New Jersey is known for beautiful beaches, busy roads, great food, and diverse culture. If you’re looking to relocate to this bustling state, Trans Canada Movers can help. With many years of experience moving people from Canada to the USA, we’ve got you covered as you embark on your next adventure.

Before you get ready to make your move, be sure to review our guide for moving from Canada to the USA to ensure you’re fully prepared to cross the border and make your move. You’ll also want to have all of the proper documentation ready for when you arrive.

Why Move to New Jersey?

Why consider calling New Jersey home? There’s so much more to New Jersey than the Jersey Shore. There’s also the Pine Barrens, beautiful countryside, scenic highways, an endless amount of diners, and it’s home to the nation’s most diverse city—Jersey City. You can brush up on your New Jersey knowledge by checking out the New Jersey Is The World podcast, or you can keep reading to find out more.

• Gorgeous Beaches. With almost 130 miles of coastline, New Jersey’s sandy beaches are a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. From Asbury Park to Point Pleasant and Atlantic City, you’re sure to find a favourite seaside retreat. You’ll also quickly learn the lingo to differentiate the locals from the tourists (or bennies, as you’ll find yourself calling them).
• Roadside Farm Stands. If you appreciate fresh produce on your table, New Jersey is home to 144 community farmers markets and multiple family-run produce stands. In fact, New Jersey ranks 3rd nationally in cranberry production, 4th in tomatoes, bell peppers, peaches, and cucumbers and 6th in blueberries.
• New Jersey already has a lot to offer but if you’re seeking additional entertainment, New York City is close enough for a weekend getaway or day trip, allowing you to experience the glitz and glamour of New York City while enjoying the much cheaper housing of New Jersey.
• Take a Walk on the Weirder Side. If you’re looking for less tourist-type entertainment, check out Weird New Jersey, a travel guide to local legends, purported haunting, ghost stories, and unusual places or events happening around New Jersey. This semi-annual magazine investigates everything peculiar about New Jersey so you can explore the lesser-known side of New Jersey like a local.

Best Areas to Live in New Jersey

New Jersey is divided into three geographic regions: North Jersey, Central Jersey, and South Jersey. It’s up for debate whether or not Central Jersey counts as its own region among residents, but it is important to note that if you live in North Jersey you’ll use different words for certain things than you would if you were in South Jersey. For example, sub versus hoagie. These three regions are further divided into 21 counties. This makes for many options to choose from when looking for somewhere to live. We’ve broken down the top 4 areas here:

• North Arlington – Located in Bergen County in North Jersey, North Arlington offers a small-town feel with the promise of all the perks you’d expect while living in the city. In fact, it’s only 15 miles from New York’s financial district. There’s access to an excellent school district, many beautiful parks, and the William D. McDowell Observatory, earning it a spot in the top 10 places to live in the country. It’s also close to Meadowlands Sports Complex and MetLife Stadium if you’re a sports fan.
• Ridgewood – Also in Bergen County, the suburb of Ridgewood features a mix of Victorian homes and turn-of-the-century farmhouses. This picturesque town boasts stunning architecture and plenty of museums to spend a relaxing Saturday in, or you can visit the Campgaw Mountain Ski Area for some snow tubing. What attracts people to the area are highly rated schools, plenty of parks, a thriving downtown, and plenty of family-friendly activities.
• White Meadow Lake – The suburb of White Meadow Lake is located in Morris County, North Jersey and has a population of just under 9,000 people. However, these are some of the happiest people in the state, often at the top of the list for the happiest places in New Jersey. It’s one of the most picturesque places in the Garden State and actually has both meadows and lakes. If fishing and country clubs are your idea of a good time, you’ll love what White Meadow Lake has to offer.
• Princeton – Located in Mercer County, Central Jersey and almost exactly between New York and Philadelphia, Princeton is, as you probably guessed, home to the Ivy League university of the same name. The biggest draw for new residents is not only the rich history but the proximity to New York City and Philadelphia with convenient bus and train transportation. Stylish yet casual, the downtown business district is a mix of charming boutiques, popular national stores, and gourmet food services. There’s a wonderful mixture of housing options to suit every need as well as both bus and train service to reduce your reliance on a personal vehicle.

Locals’ Favourite Things About Living in New Jersey

Once you’ve found the town that best fits your needs and you’re unpacked and settled in, it’s time to start feeling like a local which means learning the lingo and knowing what you, as a freshly minted New Jerseyan, need to love about the Garden State. Here are some of the best things New Jersey has to offer.

• Something that always comes up when talking about New Jersey is the food. It’s easy to see why when New Jersey is known as the Diner Capital of the World. Locals are especially attached to their neighbourhood delis and, as mentioned above, the debate over calling a local favourite Taylor ham or pork roll. They also have their own version of poutine called Disco Fries which is french fries with melted cheese that’s covered with chicken gravy.
• Being famous for beaches does have its downsides, mostly because with great beaches comes a large amount of tourists. That’s why New Jersey enjoys a little thing called local summer which is the time between Labour Day and whenever it gets cold. This stretch of time is tourist-free and still nice enough to enjoy the shore with easy parking, warm ocean temperatures, and no tourists in sight.
• Whether or not you pump your own gas might not seem like a big deal to some, but locals love full-serve gas stations, especially when it’s cold outside. They’re one of the last states in the country to still have full-service gas stations. It may take some getting used to, but you’ll enjoy not having to pump your own gas when winter hits.
• Another New Jersey favourite is Wawa, a convenience store that provides locals with everything they need from coffee and hot breakfast to groceries and gas. It’s possible there is no Canadian equivalent to the legendary Wawa. Locals even have a motto for their beloved Wawa: if Wawa doesn’t have it, you don’t need it.

Make Your Move to New Jersey with Trans Canada Movers

Moving to another country is a huge decision, we want you to be able to focus on the fun aspects of moving, like all the places to visit and your new home. You don’t need to stress about the actual moving part. At Trans Canada Movers, we can help you make the long-distance move to New Jersey as efficient and stress-free as possible so you can focus on what really matters about your move.

Contact us today to get started moving to New Jersey, and be sure to use our Moving Calculator here to request a custom quote for everything you’ll be bringing with you.