Breathtaking natural scenery, a robust job market, and year-round sunshine have made Colorado the top choice for families and singles fleeing the Northeast for the beauty of the American West. Perfect for enjoying the great outdoors, Colorado is a top choice for people who are looking for fresh air, a healthy economy, a thriving community, and a veritable buffet of outdoor activities.
While most people are familiar with Denver, the Centennial State has many cities that offer a high quality of life for an affordable price. As a matter of fact, Colorado’s cities were ranked as four of the five “Best Places to Live,” by U.S. News and World Report in 2020. Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, and Fort Collins took the top spots this year. The report ranked cities based on the quality of life, affordability, job market, and desirability.
Best known for its diverse natural wonders, including mesas, canyons, deserts, rivers, and mountains, Colorado combines the best of the wilderness with a few vibrant cities in between. The state capital, Denver, is the most populous city and a hub for innovation, urban living, and higher education. Served by 14 commercial airports, Amtrak, and Greyhound, Colorado is the gateway to the American West.
Many people are moving from New Jersey to Colorado for a more affordable way of life. The cost of living in Grand Junction, Colorado, is 23% lower than that of Bergen/Passaic, New Jersey, giving you more bang for your buck regarding housing, transportation, and food costs. While the median rental price for a two-bedroom apartment in Passaic is about $1,907, a similar apartment in Grand Junction would cost you about $885. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2018 median household income in Colorado was $68,811, higher than the national average of $61,937. Roughly 9% of the state’s residents live below the poverty line, which is on par with New Jersey’s rate of about 10%.
Let’s face it; it’s hard to picture Colorado without thinking about the majestic mountains that dot the state. With picturesque state parks tucked between towering peaks, hiking trails, colorful canyons, and dramatic backcountry, there is a reason that outdoor lovers can’t get enough of the Centennial state.
There is no shortage of things to do, from mountain biking to hiking, running and camping in this gorgeous mountain state. Colorado has some of the lowest obesity rates in the country, due in large part to the state’s focus on physical activity and outdoor recreation.
With an unemployment rate of just 3.3%, Colorado is one of the best states for job seekers, so it makes sense why people are moving from NJ to CO. The professional and business services sector dominates when it comes to new career opportunities, and new residents to the state’s top cities enjoy high salaries coupled with a low cost of living. With excellent job growth, high labor force participation, and low unemployment, U.S. News and World Report ranked Colorado No. 1 for the overall economy and third for employment prospects.
Business Insider also ranks Colorado as one of the top states for new business owners. The publication measures startup activity, business survival rates, productivity, and availability of employees as part of its metrics for determining which states fare best for potential business owners. They also rank states based on tax climates, cost of living, and education level of potential employees. According to the report, more businesses open than close here, which signifies a healthy economy ripe for an entrepreneur.
Colorado ranks 10th in the nation when it comes to overall smarts — high standardized test scores, college graduation rates, and IQ scores are the criteria for which states made the cut, according to an AL.com study. When comparing Colorado to New Jersey, NJ places ninth, but CO is still pretty impressive when it comes to intelligence. The state boasts several high-ranking universities, including the University of Colorado at Boulder, The University of Denver, and Colorado State University. It’s also home to the esteemed United States Air Force Academy, located in Colorado Springs.
Colorado has a higher sales tax than New Jersey at 8.3% and 6.6%, respectively. However, New Jersey has a higher income tax at 5.5% compared to Colorado’s 4.8%.
If you’re moving from New Jersey to Colorado in search of a healthier lifestyle, you’re in luck. Colorado is ranked the fifth healthiest state in the country, and while New Jersey still made the Top 10, it was ranked in ninth place. These rankings are based on several factors, including healthy behaviors, healthcare quality, health policy, the presence of disease, and number of deaths from illness.
Pack your winter gear. While Colorado is known for enjoying 300 days of sunshine each year, it can pack a punch when it comes to winter temps. Denver averages about 60.2 inches of snow yearly, more than Newark’s 26 inches and greater than the national average of 27 inches. No need to pack too many umbrellas, though. The Mile High City averages just 16.7 inches of rain annually compared to Newark’s 47.5. Summers are scorchers in Denver, with the average high temp hovering around 88.9 degrees Fahrenheit, higher than Newark’s 86 degrees in July. Overall, comparing Newark to Colorado, Denver averages higher average high temps in most months than Newark, so you may want to purge a few of your heavier winter clothes before your move.
Unless you plan to live in Denver, prepare to drive to most places in Colorado. Grand Junction has a walkability score of just 33, meaning that it’s heavily car-dependent, and few places are accessible by foot. Colorado Springs comes in slightly better with a bike score of 45, a transit score of 19, and a walkability score of 35. Compared to Trenton, New Jersey, with a walkability score of 70, and Passaic, with a walkability score of 82, Colorado is not as walkable, so prepare to be behind the wheel more often in your new home.
Moving cross-country is a lot more complex than moving in town, and there are a lot of factors to consider before you choose a moving company. First, find out if your intended movers specialize in long-distance moves. Long-distance moves require more logistics than in-town moves, coordinating truck schedules, storage facility availability, and driver scheduling. Your movers will have to coordinate many small details and logistics, so it pays to go with a company that specializes in moves from New Jersey to states in the West.
Book your movers early; the best companies often fill their schedules months in advance. The summer months are the most popular for moves as families want to get settled before the school year starts. Most people moving from New Jersey to Colorado prefer to move during good weather and on weekends, so if you’re planning to move on a Saturday in the summer, it pays to book your mover as early as possible. If you’re selling one home while buying another, you may need date flexibility, and getting your mover booked early ensures that you can make the necessary changes before your moving day.
White Glove Moving is New Jersey’s premier company for long-distance moves. We specialize in cross-country moves, and with our team of 200 estimators, office staff, and management, you can be assured your treasured belongings will arrive at your destination safely and efficiently. Our team will handle your furniture, art, and delicate pieces with care, and your dedicated manager will treat your move with the attention it deserves. Join the many people who now call Colorado home and schedule your free moving consultation today.
If you’re moving from New Jersey to Colorado but aren’t sure where you want to settle down yet, here are the most popular cities where people move.
Moving from New Jersey to Colorado can cost anywhere from $1,400 to $12,000, depending on the size of your move, the company you work with, and when you are moving.
The cost of a moving truck is directly proportional to the size of your move, with prices ranging from $1,300 to $3,700.
White Glove is proud to be the only Long-Distance mover in New Jersey & New York to offer a “Long-Distance Price Lock.”
This means the price we quote you before your move is always the price you pay after the move.
No hidden fees, no circumstantial costs, no nickel or diming you for things you didn’t agree to. That’s one of the ways we make your moving day a White Glove experience. Learn more about other commitments we make to our customers when moving from New Jersey to Colorado.
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