New Jersey is one of the most diverse states in America. There are farmlands, beaches, forests and mountains; and it’s close to two major U.S. cities that au pairs love, Philadelphia and New York City! New Jersey is famous for their great bagels, pizza, Italian food, and so much more. Au pairs love relaxing on the New Jersey beaches when it’s warm in the summer, and the beautiful snowfall in the winter. See what our au pairs have to say about the scenic state of New Jersey!
New Jersey has everything an au pair could want for an amazing year in the USA!
“I love New Jersey because I think it’s the best mix between suburban and city life. This state took my heart—I even have a tattoo with the shape of it! I consider myself a “Jersey Girl” at this point. I live in Glen Ridge which is the perfect city to live in because it’s very peaceful with bunnies, squirrels and sometimes deer that cross the backyard, but it’s also a short distance from major cities like Hoboken. They have the most breathtaking view of the New York City skyline and the best bakery. Around my area the cities are very artsy and full of history, everything has an old fashioned look but it’s also very progressive. I love the fact that I can go shopping in a mall—this state has the best malls on the East Coast, I suggest to visit the Garden State Plaza and the Short Hills Mall at least once—or take a one hour ride and spend a day at the beach. Also, there are awesome parks with beautiful natural landscapes like lakes or woods where you can easily see deer walk beside you. The Eagle Rock Reservation has another amazing skyline of New York City especially at night. As I’m Italian, food is very important to me. NJ has a lot of good restaurants, but its specialty are bagels which I fell in love with. So I love NJ cause it’s a complete state where you can find the perfect place to go if you’re alone or with friends, if you want to have a fun night or a relaxing afternoon. NJ is a state of mind.”
—Deborah Berini, au pair from Italy
Where in the world can you get a deep fried Oreo? New Jersey of course!
“I love New Jersey because I believe it has an exciting range of terrains in close proximity, from beautiful beaches and food truck festivals in the Summer, to haunted hayrides and pumpkin picking in the Fall you are never left with nothing to do. NJ is the perfect mixture of suburban and city life, it’s also a bonus that New York is not far away when big events are on as well! I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in America.”
—Jessica Currie, au pair from Australia
“I love my state because New Jersey has the most diverse ecosystem of any state in the country with mountains, seashore, farmland, forests and wetlands. There are great shopping malls, and no sales tax on clothing! New Jersey has full serve gas stations. And it is very close to my favorite city—NYC!”
—Surarak Yongritthikul, au pair from Thailand
Au pair Tamara’s favorite place in NJ is Marine Park in Red Bank.
“I love Jersey’s countryside and all of its parks, especially the Marine Park in Red Bank. Red Bank itself is actually worth a visit, it’s such a cute little town with all its musicians and alternative flair, tiny restaurants and cafes. You can reach everything within walking distance and people are just so sweet and friendly! Anything can happen in Jersey!”
—Tamara Ehrhardt, au pair from Germany
“I love New Jersey because there is always so much to explore and see and do and there’s never a dull moment. It’s close enough to NYC for day trips and it has its own busy cities as well. I love to visit Princeton on the weekends and travel to ‘haunted’ places that NJ is renowned for. It’s a great place to live.”
—Shayne McNabb, au pair from Australia
Australian au pair Shayne McNabb says, “There’s never a dull moment in New Jersey!”
Most beautiful sites to see in New Jersey:
Little Beach Island—beach heaven; Sandy Hook Lighthouse; snowstorms; Point Pleasant beach; Princeton University; Atlantic City; the skyline of New York City from the Frank Sinatra Park in Hoboken; Ramapo Mountain State Forest; Twin Lights Lighthouse at Atlantic Highlands
“I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in America,” says Jessica Currie of her home state of New Jersey.
Best places in New Jersey for coffee or a meal:
Chipotle; Subway; Rosalitas (tex-mex); Trattoria; Time for a Bagel in Morris Plains; The Corral Café in Red Bank; Wawa; Panera Bread; Hot Bagels; Rook Coffee; Cool Beans; Garden State Plaza; Starbucks of course
Great events in New Jersey you won’t want to miss:
Lean University Open Day; Cherry Blossom Festival in Newark; Six flags; snow tubing; Point Pleasant Boardwalk and Arcade; Fetty Wap concert; hiking; Black violin concert in the count Basie Theater in Red Bank; Maroon 5 concert in Atlantic City
Au pair Maria F Castañeda from Columbia loved the friends she made at school!
Great classes to consider in New Jersey:
History of Philadelphia weekend class in New York City; Spanish, French, Italian, Business Law and Literature at Seton Hall University; ESL class at Montclair State University; weekend class at the College of St. Rose in NYC and some ESL classes at UCEDA school; ESL class at Bergen Community College
Perfect way to spend a day in New Jersey:
“A walk at Sandy Hook viewing New York’s beautiful skyline, a coffee at Rook Cafe, Cafe Corral or Starbucks and a nice dinner in one of Red Banks sweet restaurants like the good karma cafe or turning point, etc.”
—Tamara Ehrhardt, au pair from Germany
Thai au pair Surarak Yongritthikul loves hanging out in hip Jersey City.
“Catching up with my American friends and hanging out at the beach! Or horse riding through hidden trails.”
—Emma Dove, au pair from Australia
“A nice big walk around the area, go to the parks and have dinner in one of my favorite restaurants.”
—Janine Stangl, au pair from Austria
“On my day off, I would love to go to Hoboken because it is a hip town in New Jersey right across the river from NYC.”
—Surarak Yongritthikul, au pair from Thailand
“Good friends and good food and spontaneous road trips. I love traveling to new places and learning about its history.”
—Shayne McNabb, au pair from Australia
Cultural Care au pairs are in love with New Jersey! What do you love about NJ, or the state you are currently living in? Click here to share your state love with us.