Plan Your Jersey Escape Wisely: The Grass Isn’t Always Greener
In a recent article for Insider.com, writer Kelly Burch profiled Jess Rinker. In 2019, Jess and her husband, Joe, embarked on a life-altering journey. They left their home in New Jersey, trading the suburban landscape for the tranquil embrace of rural West Virginia. Nestled in a cabin on 8 acres, they reveled in the beauty of nature, growing their own vegetables and carving trails through the forest. Their existence seemed idyllic until January 2023 when Joe was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer, shattering their peaceful sanctuary.
The diagnosis presented an immediate dilemma - their remote cabin was a world away from the specialized medical care Joe needed, and treacherous mountain roads stood between them and the hospital. The realization of rural healthcare challenges weighed heavily on them. With medical appointments located 90 minutes away and the inherent risks of navigating the isolated terrain, Jess and Joe were confronted with an agonizing decision. Ultimately, they made the heart-wrenching choice to leave their cherished West Virginia cabin behind, returning to their roots in New Jersey to ensure Joe could receive the vital care he needed. Their journey exemplifies the emotional and logistical complexities of rural healthcare access, highlighting the sacrifices they made to prioritize Joe's health over the sanctuary they had come to love.
Believe me, we understand why you want to escape from New Jersey and want to help you with that decision, however the grass isn’t always greener. No one can plan for a life altering event like a cancer diagnosis, but access to healthcare is an important aspect for your new destination. Especially if you are older or have a preexisting condition. Cost of healthcare is also an issue, these states have the lowest.
Other things to consider when moving out of the state.
Local culture/way of life. Like on Green Acres, if you are a city person, moving out to the country might be a big culture shock to you. You’ll have to be open minded to a new lifestyle. Renting might be a good option before buying, less commitment. When I lived in South Florida, it wasn’t much culture shock at all, because if seems like everyone who lived there was a New Jersey or New York transplant. Different parts of the country have different ways of thinking than New Jersey residents.
Religion. If religion is a big part of your life, make sure there are houses of worship of your denomination in your new area. Conversely, if you aren’t religious and pride yourself in being a sinner, moving to the bible belt might not be a good choice.
Access to Shopping & Dining. Years ago, someone was bragging to me that they were able to buy a newly constructed home in North Carolina for only $125,000. Yeah that sounds great, but he left out the part that the new house was in the middle of nowhere and the only store to buy groceries at was the local Wal-Mart 45 minutes away. If you are going to live like the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski in a shack in the woods, access to dining and shopping might not be important to. If you are a food snob and like fine dining, many rural places are many going to have chain restaurants as the main option. Maybe living outside a major city would be your best bet. Tip: The locals of your new destination will get sick real quick of you if all you complain about is “how much the pizza and bagels are better in New Jersey”.
Get your “I Escaped from Jersey, But Let Me Tell You How Everywhere is Better There” T-shirt now!
Politics. If you are strongly Republican or Democrat, you should move to a state that reflects your personal politics. I respected several of my right wing friends who no longer wanted to live in New Jersey during the pandemic and moved their families to Florida. They weren’t like one of these celebrities who claim they will move out of the country if so and so is elected president.
School systems. We take New Jersey’s highly rated school system for granted sometimes. Investigate school rankings and programs before making the big move. Might also make sense to move to a state that offers big in-state discounts for state colleges. Back in the day, I attended Florida Atlantic University. It cost be $20 G’s a year. If you were in-state, it was the cost of a community college in New Jersey.
Cost of Living. How far will your money go? Can you survive off your retirement money? If you are still working, will your salary in your new destination be half of what you are making in Jersey? How much will housing cost?
What else do you think New Jersey residents should consider before moving?
