Why do sense sarcasm here? N.J. is not anywhere as bad as it's made out to be. I grew up in the Bronx which totally sucks now.See if you grow old and still live there anymore.THe minorities made sure they destroyed the Bronx,and any where else they could in N.Y.

I agree with #1! New Jersey is denigrated mainly
through ignorance and lack of intelligence. Try living up in the northwest corner of the state in
Sussex County. It is beautiful! It also may be the
last frontier of this great state. South Jersey has
lots to offer, too! Per capita income is pretty good, too! If you don't believe me, ask Judge Napolitano!!!

I live in N.J

This is response to #1's racist comment. As a native New Yorker and A MINORITY I am extremely offended by what you wrote. Despite New York being the most diverse city in the country and quite possibly the world, it has managed to be one of the safest cities in the country for more than a decade now. I'm sure your comment came from the same ignorance and lack of intelligence that #2 spoke of. Koodos to New Jersey for being the safest state. New York is where everyone wants to be. Who the heck wants to be in New Jerey? What's the difference between the two? Perhaps with some more MINORITIES Jersey could develop an ounce of the appeal, pizzazz and flare New York has always had.

NJ always gets a bumb rap - It is really sad that the people who have never visited need to pull their heads out of the sand. I grew up in NJ and really miss it. The beaches are just beautiful.

If appeal, pizzazz and flare New York has always had is what you call it when its to dangerous to even travel to parts of Manhatten such as Harlem, all of the Bronx, most of Queens and Brooklyn (ah Brownsville) because of MINORITIES, I'll stick with boring Jersey.

As a person who has lived in alot of places i think i can safely throw my two cents in here in regards to safe places.There is good and bad everywhere,and it doesnt have a color. Now in regards to previous comments made here,lets face facts.if you go into a low-income area and have to watch your back because folks who are too lazy to educate themselves and to get an honest job resort to violence to "make" ends meet...well sorry to say but it is a higher percentage of minorities doing the crimes.Now this doesnt mean that there isnt good people living here and it doesnt mean that there are no such thing as "white" crimes..its just a simple fact.I watch alot of movies and these facts are always portrayed yet no one makes a big stink about then.the bottom line is this most of the crimes are commited within a certain age group as well as a certain group of people....yet in this same catagory there are also GOOD people who want to live a decent life. And you want to know the truly sad part of all this...the crimes are usually against each other..eg black on black crimes,white on white,hispanic on hispanic.. and this is pathetic so stop playing the race card and pointing fingers at others who are simply pointing out the obivious...and take care of your own backyards!...and yes iam a "minority"

i grew up in nj .. moved out of there in 1999, and lived in brick, it sucks there. young kids tell business owners to go %%%% themselves, and there parents don't do a thing when you tell them of there kids behavior.

I never grew up in it, but New Jersey looks pretty cool.

You want intelligence and no ignorance?! COME TO ILLINOIS!! :) :) :)

NEW JERSEY? THAT CRIME INFESTED PIGPEN? I WOULDN'T
LET MY DOG LIVE THERE.

Well I just want to say I totally agree with #6! If you worry more about what is going on in your own backyard, this world could be a better place all together! Americas problem is, we are always pointing the finger and worrying about what somebody else is doing. Take the steps to teach your children (all races) to respect one another, and to value property and 90% of crimes will come to an end. We need to stop blaming "the white man", drugs, and the community! It is our responsiblity as PARENTS to make sure our children grow up to be model citizens. LETS STOP POINTING THE FINGER PEOPLE!! Always remember that when you point one finger, there is three pointing back at you! Think about it!

New Jersey! New Jersey! Safe? All of my fraternity brothers from New Jersey were from Short Hills, went to New England prep schools and played polo. I always thought it was a "Garden State" until I saw Newark. But, like all states, my own included, there is good and bad. Ocean City and Cape May are exceptional.

Illinois was such a disappointment when I moved there from New Jersey. Someone posted about intelligence in Illinois. It is the LACK of it that disappointed me after living in New Jersey. BTW, I was born and raised in a sheltered life in Chicago area

I grew up in the Brooklyn, NY. Moved to Nj two years ago. Guess what?? They still have guns in the school, My kids now have easier access to drugs than they did in New York. They still have problems with gangs. Every other week their is a bomb threat and a hit list, and this is elementary school I'm talking about. This was supposed to be a " safe quiet area". In New York as long as you mind your own business no one bothers you.

I come from NJ, Toms River (right next to Brick). I have now lived in quite a few places in this great country of ours and am finally moving back to the place I call home. Jersey. There is no comparision to the Jersey Shore, to the water front along the Hudson, to the beaches and ferries of Cape May. You will never find an area like the Pine Barrens, just exploding with natural wonders and wildlife. As a current and less enthused resident of the dismal state of Florida let me tell you, I would rather pay the astronomical taxes of NJ and be happy, healthy, and living my life than be miserable somewhere else a little cheaper. As New Jersey's unofficial spokesman to the southeast I will tell you. There is no place as friendly, beutiful, adventurous or magnificent as New Jersey and if the chance and ability to visit our great state ever presents itself, I strongly urge you to take it. Thank you.

Gary
New Jerseys Unofficial Spokesman to the Southeast

I'M SURPRISED THAT MOST OF THE SAFEST PLACES ARE ON THE EAST COAST

When we decide to stand up and unite as a country and face the problems that poverty, poor education systems and IGNORANCE develop we will finally stop pointing fingers at whom is to blame. If we begin to speak outside our own prejudices and ignorances we can realize that according to statistics most rapes and mass murders are conducted by the "white man." Now when you find yourself in the "ghetto's" of New York surrounded by minorities, regardless of who you are or the color of your skin you will be able to walk down the street at 4 AM and have NO ONE bother you. New York does not consist of the nicest people in this country but we DON'T care who you are nor what you want. (Actually, many minorities are very willing to give a lending hand as I got help from a hispanic man to dig my car out of the snow after this last snow storm) Now asking for directions in Newark is risking your life! Between the availability of drugs, guns and nothing better do New Jersey's lack of any entertainment our teen's have nothing better to do than become nasty, rude soprano wannabe's! New Jersey if you weren't so stuck up about your mediocre state you could learn a thing or too from NEW YORK!!!

I'M SURPRISED THAT SOME OF THE SAFEST PLACES ARE ON THE EAST COAST AND THAT STATES WITH BIG CITIES ARE NOT RANKED HIGHER

No one is rebutling that New Jersey is beautiful, we are discussing SAFETY! What use is a beautiful beach front if all the teens cutting school are there smoking blunts?