Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20191125/poll-44-of-nj-residents-planning-to-move-away
November 25, 2019
A recent Fairleigh Dickinson University and Garden State Initiative survey also found that property taxes and the overall cost of living were residents' biggest concerns about the quality of life in the Garden State, followed by government corruption, crime and drugs, bridges and roads and the state's environment.The poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University and the Garden State Initiative found that 44% of New Jersey residents are planning to leave the state, including 28% within the next five years.
New Jersey has great beaches, top schools and a fantastic location smack between New York and Philadelphia, yet a new poll has found that close to half the state’s residents are mulling moving away, with the state’s notoriously high property taxes and expensive cost of living chiefly to blame.
The poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University and the Garden State Initiative found that 44% of New Jersey residents are planning to leave the state, including 28% within the next five years.
The survey also found that property taxes and the overall cost of living were residents’ biggest concerns about the quality of life in the Garden State, followed by government corruption, crime and drugs, bridges and roads, and the state’s environment.
"These results should alarm every elected official and policymaker in New Jersey," said Regina Egea, Garden State Initiative’s president. "We have a crisis of confidence in the ability of our leaders to address property taxes and the cost of living whether at the start of their career, in prime earning years or repositioning for retirement, New Jersey residents see greener pastures in other states."
The poll is based on a telephone survey of 801 New Jersey adults who were reached between Sept. 26 and Oct. 2. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9%.
Other notable poll findings were:
• Thirty-eight percent of residents between 18 and 29 plan to leave the state within five years, along with 33% of those between 50 and 64 who are likely nearing retirement. Twenty percent of residents 65 and older were planning to move within 5 years and 23% of residents between 30 and 49.
• Thirty-two percent of residents living in the southern part of the state planned to move away within five years, compared to 26% of residents from the central and northern parts.
• The top response to a poll question for things about New Jersey that contribute to quality of life was "nothing" followed by "close to beaches." Other top responses included "employment opportunities," "good schools/education," "close to NYC" and "diversity."
The FDU/Garden State Initiative poll comes shortly after the release of a similar poll by Monmouth University this month that found about six of 10 New Jersey residents consider the quality of life in the state excellent (15%) or good (46%) compared to 38% who consider it fair (26%) or poor (12%).
Gov. Phil Murphy also sparked controversy last month when he dismissed suggestions that New Jersey’s high property taxes hurt the state’s ability to attract and retain businesses and families and said other benefits outweigh high taxes, including the state’s location, schools, workforce, environment and quality of life.
"If you’re a one issue voter and tax rate is your issue, either a family or a business, if that’s the only basis for which you’re going to make a decision, we’re probably not your state," Murphy said during an appearance at Rowan University. "If that’s literally all you care about, we’re going to lose."
He went on to argue that New Jersey is competitive because of all factors, not just taxes and costs.
"We will compete with any state, any nation in the entire world," he said.
Editorial: ‘All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go ...’
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/opinion/20191127/editorial-all-my-bags-are-packed-im-ready-to-go-November 27, 2019
Are your bags packed? Because apparently New Jersey is a horrible place to live.
Tell that to the folks who live in North Korea and Syria.
According to a recent poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University and the Garden State Initiative, 44% of New Jersey residents say they intend to leave the state, including 28% within the next five years.
Since so many New Jerseyans are that disenchanted, we will have to assume that no one in their right mind would dare move to New Jersey. That just means more room for those of us who choose to stay.
And what do we get for our determination to ride it out here in the Garden (of No Eden) State?
Exactly what our story on Tuesday led with: "great beaches, top schools, and a fantastic location smack between New York and Philadelphia."
For the discontented, you are more than welcome to go spend the rest of your days with the bison, bobcats, bears and bighorn sheep of Wyoming, but good luck finding a Wawa when you need one. Good luck finding Wi-Fi reception, too.
Year-round beautiful weather in Florida sounds like nirvana. But we’ll take it from someone we know who lives there and likened summers in the Sunshine State to "the surface of the sun."
Don’t you think there are residents in Iowa, Kansas and Arkansas who would love to see the majestic ocean, even once — something we can do any day?
Our country is full of places that are expensive to live. New Jersey’s property taxes and the cost of living were the biggest gripes from those polled. But government corruption, crime and drugs, bridges and roads were also cited as negatives. Sorry, there is no escaping those issues, no matter how far from Jersey you drive.
The top response to the poll question for things about New Jersey that contribute to quality of life was “nothing.” Nothing?
Our internal poll says those people won’t be happy no matter where they are. But we know what state they are in — denial.
Gov. Phil Murphy acknowledged New Jersey's high taxes, but said other benefits outweigh them, including location, schools, workforce, environment and quality of life.
All arguably true. But one factor that seems to get ignored with polls of this kind is support system — that is, friends and family. Aren’t the people we love and who love and support us reason enough to live where we do? If anything, that's what plants most of us where we are.
Not that living in another state should be dismissed. Those of us who have traveled can vouch for the virtues and beauty of the rest of the country.
Sure, Wyoming’s phone reception stinks, but it also has the Rocky Mountains and Yellowstone National Park and more bison, bobcats, bears and bighorn sheep than people. Nothing unappealing about that.
Florida has Disney, lakes and the gulf and the ocean, resort towns, and professional sports teams. If you're a die-hard Phillies fan, Clearwater just might be nirvana.
Relocating should weigh why you want to live somewhere else, not why you want to leave New Jersey.
In defending Jersey, Murphy went on to say, “We will compete with any state, any nation in the entire world.”
It’s not a competition. Of course, nobody likes our high taxes, but we do like the shore, and the rivers, and the mountains, and the schools, and the bustling metropolitan areas and, most of the time, the Eagles. Strong, valid reasons can be argued for living in any of the 50 states. But just remember, as the old saying goes, “No matter where you go, there you are.”
Guest Opinion: If you leave New Jersey, it’s your loss By Scott Warnock
Source: https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/opinion/20191203/guest-opinion-if-you-leave-new-jersey-its-your-lossDecember 3, 2019
OK, so you want to leave New Jersey …
Whenever I see a New Jersey beatdown like the recent poll that found 44% of residents plan to leave, I wonder: Jersey escapees must move somewhere. Where is this utopia?
Yes, New Jersey’s taxes are high. Our government should run the state more efficiently. And it is frustrating when officials dismiss complaints, such as those voiced in that poll by Garden State Initiative and Fairleigh Dickinson University.
But I know people from other states, including Arkansas, West Virginia and Indiana. Yep, they have low property taxes. But near as I can figure, like us, they have roads, police departments and schools. They pay for them somehow.
These people are clearly taxed in other ways (i.e., state and sales taxes). In ongoing conversations about taxation and cost, I have seen few in-depth, comparative studies with other states and what “cost of living” truly means in the context of services returned.
The poll’s least-satisfied respondents were ages 18 to 29. That’s when life’s journey is just starting. Remember, if you live in Jersey, with its tight connectivity to Philadelphia and New York, your life is quite different than in most places. You have obvious access to those great cities. (Note: Philly was named a “Best Trips 2020” by National Geographic, one of only 25 places globally.) Washington, D.C., and Boston are nearby.
The outdoors? Beaches are our well-known asset, yet we still forget people pay thousands for something Jersey folks enjoy as a day trip. And how many states allow you to day-trip for beaches, skiing and activities like whitewater rafting?
Culture and arts? Do a quick study comparing cultural listings in our newspapers with those nationally. In many places, you’ll wait years for a particular concert or show, and you’ll visit excellent museums only while on vacation.
Sports? Whether Philly south or New York north, we have big-time sports. What about youth sports? In many states, three-hour car rides are routine for league events. Jersey kids can play entire seasons without traveling more than 30 minutes.
Transportation? Our transit systems are imperfect, but in many places it's all driving. We also have multiple international airports close by, a much underappreciated asset.
Let’s get more serious: Education? We have top-tier public schools. Higher education? Many places have slim pickings in regional higher-ed choices. In our small state alone, we have nearly 50 colleges and universities. Expand that to schools across our borders, and you have hundreds of choices. Our community colleges are also widely considered among the best nationally.
Let’s get even more serious: Health care? A simple story: My dear, upbeat neighbor, when she became sick on vacation and was diagnosed with cancer, told me she was lucky to return to South Jersey, where she had ready access to the world’s best medical systems.
New Jersey isn’t for everyone. But some of this “I’m outta Jersey!” stuff is thoughtless. Poll respondents want to escape drugs and corruption. I wish you could.
By the way, this was a poll. As the old saying goes, ask someone a question and they may well answer. The top response to the question about what contributed to New Jersey’s quality of life was “nothing.” Nothing?! Other states: You’re welcome to have that person as a neighbor.
A poll was taken, and some took time to answer. I suspect many others were too busy — either out taking advantage of what New Jersey has to offer or working to make a great place better.
Scott Warnock is a resident of Riverton.
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