You can also try posting what you have on a “buy nothing” group on Facebook! It always feels good to give items away to your neighbors.

Depends on what you think affordable is, but I found the trees at 14th st garden center to be affordable (under $89 for a 6 foot tree, much less for smaller ones) and good quality! This is equal to what I paid for live trees in the past back home in North Carolina.

Definitely be aware of where you are re: flood risk. The journal square area is high up compared to surrounding parts of town, but I’ve heard you should be wary of ground level apartments closer to the river (ie downtown JC and Hoboken). Re: Crime, I walk home from the Journal Square train station by myself at night all the time. I’ve never felt unsafe.

Highly suggest Jersey City! My husband and I moved here a few months ago from NC for many of the same reasons you have (and for a new job) and it’s been great. We go into the city around once a week. We’re near journal square and really like it here, but if you can afford it, Downtown JC seems even better. PATH has been great for me so far - I take PATH to and from work in Newark and when I want to go to NYC and I’ve found it to be extremely reliable.

I love this idea - I just moved here and making friends is hard as an adult. I can’t make it to this one because I’m working but I hope there will be similar events in the future!