New Jersey gets a lot of hate but there’s plenty to love about the Garden State. According to a recent poll, New Jersey is the only state in the country which people tend to have a negative OPINION of. However, when looking at the FACTS, New Jersey is rated among the best states in America. This year, we ranked a respectable number four.

This is quite impressive, considering that we were ranked #48 for cost of living. If we were a bit less expensive, we could have snagged the number one spot. Of course, you get what you pay for…

sqrphoto/Flickr Photo taken near the Delaware Water Gap.

So, how did we rise to the top? We’re among the safest states (#4) and have one of the best school systems in the nation (#2). The study also took factors like job opportunities, unemployment rate, high school graduation rate, quality of hospitals, access to public transportation, and restaurants per capita into consideration. We score above average in all these areas.

Harshil Shah/Flickr Photo taken on the Princeton University campus.

What the study didn’t take into account are all the things that can’t be measured…the things that make New Jersey number one.

Bob Jagendorf/Flickr Photo taken at the Manasquan Reservoir.

We’ve got some of the best beaches (and beach towns) in the country. Cape May, Ocean City, and Asbury Park are constantly recognized by national AND international travel publications.

Peter Miller/Flickr Photo of the Barnegat Bay.

And we can’t forget about our farmland. We’re called the Garden State for a reason! New Jersey is a top 5 producer of peaches, cranberries, bell peppers, and plenty more.

Nicholas A Tonelli/Flickr Photo taken in Knowlton, Warren County.

Then there’s the fact that we’ve got more horses per square mile than any other state… Does it make us better than say…Kentucky? You decide.

Joiseyshowaa/Flickr Photo taken in Colts Neck.

Did we mention that The Great Falls of the Passaic River is the second largest waterfall, by volume, east of the Mississippi River, next to Niagara Falls.

Paterson Great Falls/Flickr Photo taken at Great Falls National Park in Paterson.

Last but not least, you can’t deny how amazing our peaceful, preserved Pinelands are. The Pinelands Reserve contains the Wharton, Brendan T. Byrne, Penn, and Bass River state forests. The reserve also includes two National Wild and Scenic Rivers: the Maurice and the Great Egg Harbor. It was the country’s first national reserve. Additionally, our pinelands help to recharge the 17 trillion gallon Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer containing some of the purest water in the United States.

Louis Dallara/Flickr Photo taken near Washington Township.

All of this, plus an abundance of 24-hour diners, four beautiful seasons, top-rated air and water quality, and thriving small towns like Haddonfield and Lambertville. There’s so much more, I could go on for ages. (See 15 things we love about the Garden State here.) What do you love most about New Jersey? If you’d like to see the full study by WalletHub where we score our #4 rating, click here.

sqrphoto/Flickr

Photo taken near the Delaware Water Gap.

Harshil Shah/Flickr

Photo taken on the Princeton University campus.

Bob Jagendorf/Flickr

Photo taken at the Manasquan Reservoir.

Peter Miller/Flickr

Photo of the Barnegat Bay.

Nicholas A Tonelli/Flickr

Photo taken in Knowlton, Warren County.

Joiseyshowaa/Flickr

Photo taken in Colts Neck.

Paterson Great Falls/Flickr

Photo taken at Great Falls National Park in Paterson.

Louis Dallara/Flickr

Photo taken near Washington Township.

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