Well, let me tell ya, finding a cheap place to live near that big ol’ New York City ain’t easy. But it ain’t impossible neither! Lots of folks want to be close to the city, but they don’t want to sell a kidney to afford rent. So, where can a body go?
New Jersey, the Cheaper Side of the River
New Jersey, that’s where! It’s right across the water from that fancy city, and you can get there pretty quick. But the prices? Lord, they’re a whole lot better on this side. You save a lot of money living in New Jersey.

Now, I ain’t no expert, but I’ve heard things. I’ve heard of places in New Jersey that are just a hop, skip, and a jump from the city, but you won’t need to take out a second mortgage to live there. These are some affordable places to live in New Jersey, they said.
Some Cheap Towns, They Say
- Hoboken: This one, they say it’s got some life to it. Bars, and parks by the water and such. Sounds fancy, but maybe it ain’t so bad price-wise. I heard it’s one of the best towns to live in NJ.
- Jersey City: This one’s real close to the city, I hear. You can get to the city real easy from there. They got trains and tunnels, so you’re there in a jiffy. The houses are much cheaper than in the city. I heard that the house price is like $337,000, not like in the city, almost a million!
- Hackensack: I reckon this is another one that’s not too far. And you know what? The houses ain’t as pricey as you’d think, only around $337,000. Not bad, not bad at all.
- Newark: It’s also close to the big city and the house price is even cheaper, they say it is only about $210,000. You save a lot of money here. That’s what I heard.
There are some other places, too. It ain’t just these. You got other towns and such, all over New Jersey. You just gotta look around, is all. There are plenty of great places to live in NJ.
Phillipsburg, A Bit Further Out
Then there’s Phillipsburg. Now, this one’s a bit further out, by that Delaware River. Across from Pennsylvania, they say. It is between Philadelphia and New York City. But I hear it’s real nice for families. Safe and all that. And you can afford it, which is the important thing.
Living near New York City, it’s a dream for some. All that hustle and bustle, the lights, the shows. But that city, it’ll eat your wallet alive. That’s why New Jersey is a good choice. It is much cheaper than NYC. You can still get to the city easy enough, but you ain’t paying those crazy prices.
The City’s Nice to Visit, But…
Don’t get me wrong, the city’s great to visit. Lots to see and do. But living there? Unless you’re made of money, it ain’t worth it. You’ll be working your tail off just to pay the rent.
So, if you’re looking for affordable places to live in New Jersey close to NYC, you gotta do some digging. Ask around. See what you can find. It is not easy, but you can find good places to live in.

These places I mentioned, they’re a good start. But there’s more out there. You just gotta find ’em. And who knows, maybe you’ll find a little place that’s just right for you. Close enough to the city to enjoy it, but far enough away to keep some money in your pocket.
And that’s all I gotta say about that. Just remember, living near the city don’t have to mean going broke. There are affordable places out there. You just gotta be smart about it. Good luck to you, honey. Hope you find a good place. You can find a nice and cheap place to live in NJ, close enough to the big city to have a good time, but not so close that you’re living in a shoebox. It is possible!