Jersey City, situated in Hudson County, New Jersey, is an attractive proposition for retirees desiring a lifestyle filled with frequent travels. Its robust public transportation, vicinity to major NYC travel centers, and further accessibility to Newark Liberty International Airport (home to over 1,000 daily flights), put the globe within a retiree's backyard.
The lack of state tax on Social Security benefits and military pensions in New Jersey, along with relatively cheaper housing prices compared to Manhattan, makes Jersey City an affordable yet cosmopolitan locality. It keeps retirees connected to the big city life without the hefty price tag. The city's skyline views, accessible from their homes or while flying off for a vacation, add an extra charm to living in Jersey City.
Downtown Jersey City is conveniently located just 10 miles away from Newark Liberty International Airport, a major hub of United and home to over 30 international and domestic airlines. Recognized as one of the most well-connected airports, it serviced nearly 50 million passengers in 2024. For retirees, this means that jet-setting to over 180 destinations around the globe - whether it is Florida's snowbird destinations or Spain's historic sites - is a snap.
The PATH train, providing retirees a direct route from Journal Square in Jersey City to Newark Penn Station, turns city-to-city journeys into an effortless affair. Once in Newark, retirees also have the convenience of continuing their journey via Amtrak and NJ Transit to major cities such as Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
The PATH train also gives retirees the privilege of exploring NYC's greatest attractions. The network includes stops at the World Trade Center and 33rd Street and significantly facilitates access to JFK via the AirTrain and to LaGuardia with swift subway-to-bus transfers.
Retirees who have a penchant for the sea can partake of scenic rides across the Hudson River on the NY Waterway ferry system. Furthermore, Jersey City is conveniently situated near ports servicing popular cruise lines, which offer destinations ranging from the Caribbean to Canada and Europe.
Despite Jersey City's proximity to New York City and wealth of travel opportunities, it should be noted the cost of living remains higher than the national average, primarily in terms of housing and healthcare. The median home price in Hudson County is $500,600 - lower than that in New York County ($1,108,900) but still well above the U.S. median ($416,900). Furthermore, healthcare costs in New Jersey rank among the highest in the nation, but residents have the boon of an array of healthcare establishments in the county, and additional access to renowned New York hospitals.
The city's efficient public transportation network ends up making it a feasible place for car-free living, potentially saving retirees substantially on transportation costs.
Jersey City doesn't appear any less thrilling when it comes to local lifestyle. Retirees can savor an active urban lifestyle with a diversity of restaurants, galleries, shops, and regular festivals. They also have easy access to outdoor activities including riverside walks and biking, lovely, walkable neighborhoods, and golfing.
Potential retirees considering relocation to Jersey City should take into account key considerations such as the city's climate, congestion, population growth, and taxation. Nevertheless, the city's impressive accessibility to both domestic and international travel, along with a vibrant urban lifestyle and favorable retirement income tax policies, is likely to strike the right chord with prospective retiree residents.