by Rebecca Hersh

Created on: July 16, 2008

New Jersey is known to be an expensive state in which to live. However, there are still places to find an affordable home without sacrificing other important considerations, such as quality schools, crime rate, and convenient location. One exceptional example of this is Cumberland County. This county boasts a mix of urban, suburban, and rural communities. It also has 40 miles of coastline, fifteen school districts, and a quality police force.

Cumberland County has been voted one of the "best places to live in New Jersey" by Money Magazine. It is located in south-central New Jersey and covers 500 square miles of land. The most recent census results put the county's population at approximately 154,000 people. Cumberland is conveniently located near several major metropolitan centers. It is a mere two hours from New York City and Baltimore, and less than an hour from Philadelphia. The county's well-maintained highways, train service, and bus routes make transportation simple and convenient. Cumberland's education system includes fifteen districts and several private institutions. Teachers meet the state's high standards, and more than 80% of the county's high school students graduate.

In 2005, there were approximately 55,000 homes in Cumberland County. The median cost of these homes is around $133,000. For those people seeking to rent in Cumberland, the median monthly rent is roughly $620. This is considerably lower than the rest of New Jersey, whose state median home cost is $333,900. This low cost does not equate to poor quality housing. In fact, a family can find a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home for under $300,000. Furthermore, the county has enough available land to purchase a home with considerable yard space.

Cumberland County's economy is rather diversified. It boasts a strong market for the agricultural, health care, construction, tourism, and manufacturing industries. The highest paying jobs are in the field of Securities and Commodities Contracts. Other top jobs can be found in insurance agencies, research facilities, and financial investment companies. Overall, wages in the county have increased nearly 20% over the last seven years.

Ultimately, Cumberland County is a great location for anyone seeking an affordable community in the state of New Jersey. With an array of diverse communities, there is sure to be a part of Cumberland to suit almost any needs. More information can be found on the county's website at http://www.co.cumberland.nj.us/content/159/default.a spx.

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