For the young professional, living in New York City may seem the life! Thanks to a largely 24-hour public transportation system, it’s easy to go where you want, when you want. If you’re feeling up to a night out, all you have to do is head downtown. If you like to shop, there’s a vast array of stores within easy reach. But even with all the glitz and glamour, and the humility that accompanies renting a tiny apartment, you could be missing out.

Northern New Jersey cities and towns are promising places for the young go-getter to settle. With the opportunity to build a career and connections in New York, it’s smart to invest in the future by purchasing a home in a beautiful New Jersey suburb. You’ll give yourself the best of both worlds.

From New York City to a northern NJ home – here are 3 reasons to begin a great adventure as a homeowner and still hold on to all the perks of city living:

1. NJ is an easy commute from NYC

If you happen to work in Manhattan or Brooklyn, a home in northern NJ is the perfect excuse to get away from the hustle and bustle at the end of the day.

NJ Transit makes the commute to New York City as simple as catching a train. The Midtown Direct service links many of the most desirable New Jersey towns — including Short Hills, Millburn, Summit, South Orange, and Maplewood — to New York’s Penn Station.

NJ Transit also connects with PATH train service in Hoboken and Newark Penn Station, which allows you to stop in various parts of lower Manhattan.

2. NJ Nightlife and restaurant options are as plentiful as can be

New York is known for its thriving nightlife scene. In trendy neighborhoods such as the East Village in Manhattan and Williamsburg in Brooklyn, there’s always something happening after hours.

However, no matter where you live in northern NJ, you’re never too far away from bars with a hip vibe and a relaxing happy hour. With locations in Summit (temporarily closed for renovation) and Montclair, The Office has a great craft beer selection. The Boxcar Bar and Grill actually resides in the Short Hills train station, and Upstairs in Upper Montclair is known for its ultra-modern bar, premium selection of wines, and excellent food, which you can watch the chefs prepare.

3. Shopping in NJ is a cinch

Whether you need to restock your wardrobe or simply want to take a weekend window-shopping stroll, look no further than The Mall at Short Hills. Here, you’ll find major department stores such as Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s and Nordstrom, as well as over 150 other shops and restaurants, luxury brands, and everything including home furnishings, jewelry, sporting goods, and kids’ toys.

If you’re looking for specialty items, check out Words Bookstore in Maplewood (a great place to rediscover the joy of reading in print!), and Kitchen a la Mode in South Orange, where locals find just about anything they need to assist them in their culinary endeavors.

Working in New York City is fast-paced and offers incredible opportunity — but after hours, the suburbs may just be the place for you. Purchase a home in northern New Jersey and you can unwind nightly in a relaxing, spacious house just a short commute from the hubbub of city life.

Tempted to give the suburbs a look? I would love to show you around. Contact Victoria Carter at victoria@victoriacarter.com, or call (973) 220-3050.