Most New Jersey residents say their state is a good or excellent place to live

 The Cherry Blossom Festival in Branch Brook Park, Essex County, is one of the reasons New Jersey residents like where they live. (<a href=Photo via ShutterStock) " title="shutterstock_45595390" width="1" height="1"/>

The Cherry Blossom Festival in Branch Brook Park, Essex County, is one of the reasons New Jersey residents like where they live. (Photo via ShutterStock)

Satisfaction with the quality of life in New Jersey is on the rise, according to the latest Monmouth University poll.

 

Just about two-thirds of the residents surveyed say the Garden State is a good or excellent place to live.

Poll director Patrick Murray says that’s an improvement from the 61 percent rating in September.

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“There was a blip in the fall mainly around feelings of safety and security. That went downward,” Murray said. “I think we had some areas of the state where there was just a sense that they weren’t sure what was going on, but it seems to have bounced back, and it’s pretty much on a par where it was most of last year.”

Sixty-two percent of residents say they feel safe in their neighborhoods at night — up from 58 percent in September.

The 61 percent positive evaluation of local schools and 72 percent rating for environmental quality echo previous perceptions.

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