Study Names New Jersey One of the Best States to Raise a Family
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Budget Travel has unveiled its 2017 list of the 10 coolest small towns in America, and a sandy spot in New Jersey tops the charts. (Photos via AP/Getty)
New Jersey may not be the best place in the country to raise a family, but it’s close.
A new study by personal finance website WalletHub has ranked the Garden State seventh on its most recent list of the best states to raise a family.
New Jersey ranks in the top 10 for health, safety and affordability. It also claimed the top spot in the study’s “education and child care” category.
According to the study, New Jersey has some of the lowest infant mortality and divorce rates in the nation, which helped the state secure its spot on the list.
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Masker Orchards in Warwick touts itself as having "the best family apple picking" in the region. The 200-acre orchard is about 50 miles from Manhattan. More on Masker Orchards here.
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Alstede Farms in Chester, New Jersey, has been in business since 1982. The farm features a farm store and a number of apple varieties to pick yourself. The farm also offers parties and tours. Alstede Farms is about 61 miles from Manhattan. More on Alstede Farms here.
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If you're looking for a lively apple picking experience, Harvest Moon Farm & Orchards in North Salem is your place. The orchard has festivals every weekend from Sept. 9 through Oct. 29 and serves up hard cider and delicious food. Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard is about 49 miles from Manhattan.
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Silverman's Farm in Easton, Connecticut, offers pick your own apples as well as an animal farm and a farm store, which serves up fresh basked pies, honey, syrups and more. Silverman's is about 60 miles from Manhattan. More on Silverman's Farm here.
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Demarest Farms in Hillsdale is a great place to bring the family for a fun fall day. The offer several pick your own varieties and also serve up a selection of both hot and cold foods. Demarest Farms is about 22 miles from Manhattan. More on Demarest Farms here.
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It's not all apple picking at Outhouse Orchards in North Salem. The scenic orchard also offers a corn maze, a farm store and a pumpkin patch. Outhouse Orchards is about 48 miles from Manhattan. More on Outhouse Orchards here.
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The popular Penning's Orchard in Warwick offers apple picking, hayrides, food and a produce market. They also serve up craft beer and wines and have dancing on the weekends. Penning's is about 50 miles from Manhattan. More on Penning's Orchard here.
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Lyman Orchards in Middlefield is one of the more popular places to go apple picking in Connecticut. Lyman Orchards has been in business for 275 years and covers more than 1,000 acres of farm land. You can pick your own apples or just stop by the expansive farm store to buy them in a barrel. If you do head to the store, the apple cider donuts are a must. Lyman Orchards is about 100 miles from Manhattan. More on Lyman Orchards here.
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There's no entry fee at Eastmont Orchards in Colts Neck, you just pay for what you pick. If you want to venture out and enjoy more than apple goods, there are also food trucks in the area. Eastmont Orchards is about 54 miles from Manhattan. More on Eastmont Orchards here.
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Applewood Orchards & Winery in Warwick is great for adults and children alike. You can pick your own apples, chow down on some hot food and snacks, grab a drink or take your kid to the puppet show. If you want apple cider donuts, however, expect a line. Applewood Orchards is about 60 miles from Manhattan. More on Applewood Orchards & Winery here.
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Terhune Orchards in Princeton offers a variety of pick your own options, wagon rides, farm animals and a winery. The orchard also has a farm store that has been described as "small but mighty" by a reviewer on Yelp. Terhune Orchards is about 60 miles from Manhattan. More on Terhune Orchards here.
But it’s not all good news for Jersey. It also has some of the country’s least affordable housing, according to WalletHub.
To determine the ranking, WalletHub looked at five categories, including family fun, health and safety, education and child care, affordability and socioeconomics.
North Dakota came in first on the list and New Mexico came in last.
As far as the tri-state goes, Connecticut and New York trailed behind New Jersey. Connecticut claimed the No. 9 spot and New York came in near the middle of the pack at No. 24.
You can read more about the methodology on WalletHub’s website.
