Moving from NYC to New Jersey: What Changes

Start with the commute you will actually do

The commute is the part of the move you will feel every day. Before you pick a town, map the trip you would make on a normal weekday morning and evening, door to door. Include the walk to the station, the wait, the transfer and the walk at the other end.

New Jersey towns near Manhattan are served by different mixes of trains, light rail, ferries and buses. Each town guide on MoveMatched lists the transit stops near the town center so you can see what is close. Then try the trip once at rush hour before you sign anything.

• Time the full trip at the hour you would really travel, not on a Sunday.
• Check the fare for a monthly pass on the line you would use, on the operator's own site.
• If you will drive, check where you would park at both ends and what it costs.

Income taxes when you live in NJ and work in NY

If you move to New Jersey but keep a job in New York, you will usually file a New York nonresident return for your New York wages and a New Jersey resident return for all of your income. You do not simply pay twice. New Jersey gives residents a credit for income tax paid to another state on the same income.

The New Jersey Division of Taxation explains the credit in its publication GIT-3W. In short, the credit is limited to the smaller of the tax you actually paid to New York on that income or the New Jersey tax on that same income. If you also paid New York City tax for part of the year, ask a tax preparer how that affects your returns.

The year you move is usually the most complicated, because you may be a part year resident of both places. Keep your moving date, pay stubs and withholding records together.

Your driver's license, car and voter registration

New Jersey law requires drivers to report a change of address to the Motor Vehicle Commission within one week of the change. If you are coming from New York with a New York license, check the MVC site for the steps and documents to switch to a New Jersey license and to register and insure your car in New Jersey.

If you are moving within New York instead, the New York DMV asks you to change the address on your license, permit, ID and vehicle records within 10 days.

Register to vote at your new address too. Vote.gov links to each state's registration page.

Mail, bills and the boring list that saves you money

• File a change of address with USPS so mail follows you while you update everything else.
• Update your address with your employer, bank, cards, insurance and any subscription that ships to you.
• Set up electric, gas and internet at the new place before move in day. Our internet and utilities guide covers how.
• Ask your insurance agent how your auto and renters or homeowners insurance change with the new address.

Renting first or buying right away

Many people rent for a year before they buy, so they can learn the commute and the area first. Others buy right away because they already know where they want to be. Either way, a local agent who works the towns you are considering can show you options that fit your commute and budget, and can explain how the process works in New Jersey, including the attorney review period on contracts and leases.

Buying in New Jersey works differently from buying a co-op in New York City. If you are used to co-op boards, read our guide to New Jersey attorney review and our New Jersey closing costs guide before you make an offer.

A simple moving timeline

• Six to eight weeks out: pick two or three towns, test the commute, talk to an agent.
• Four to six weeks out: get moving quotes in writing and check the mover's license.
• Two weeks out: book utilities and internet, file the USPS change of address.
• First week after the move: report your new address to the MVC within one week.
• First months: sort out your license, car registration, insurance and voter registration.