Located in the center of the Mid-Atlantic region, New Jersey has a temperate seasonal climate. This means hot and humid summers countered by cold, snowy winters.
The state's record high temperature is 110 degrees Fahrenheit, and the record low is 34 degrees below zero. Snow is also a reality, with a record of nearly 30 inches falling within one 24-hour period. Wherever you're coming from, make sure you bring along clothes for each season, including winter jackets and an equally adequate amount of beachwear to make the most of the New Jersey outdoors all year.
New Jersey is known as the Garden State, featuring large areas of rural farmland and vast suburbs. However, New Jersey's eastern seaboard is highly developed and cities like Newark are major metropolitan centers. The medium-sized cities of Hoboken and Jersey City are directly adjacent to New York City's Manhattan Island, making them ideal for commuters who prefer to live outside of New York City.
Choose the type of environment and home that's best for you and your family, keeping in mind that New Jersey's diversity is one of its key advantages.
Within 60 days of taking up residence in New Jersey, be sure to visit an office of the state's Motor Vehicle Commission. The MVC will invalidate your out-of-state driver's license and issue you a New Jersey license--without requiring a written or driving test. Drivers under age 18 must enter the state's graduated driver's licensing program and may lose certain privileges, such as driving at night, that they enjoyed elsewhere.
Additionally, as in other states, new residents of New Jersey with an out-of-state vehicle must apply for a new title. In New Jersey, this involves a $60 title fee for vehicles without a lien. All vehicles newly registered in New Jersey must be inspected at an authorized safety inspection station within 14 days. You'll also need to apply for a New Jersey registration to get license plates and registration documents. The price of a registration varies based on the weight and class of the vehicle you drive.
One of New Jersey's more unique laws involves gas pumping. Unlike most other states, New Jersey does not allow drivers to pump their own gas. Instead, all gas stations within the state feature full-service pumps with attendants who complete the task for you. Because this service is required by state law, it is not customary to tip gas station attendants.
