I lived in Hunterdon County after college (from the midwest). It was very nice. The first time driving down to Cape May we went south and then east avoiding the turnpike. It was unbelievable to me that here I was, in the most densely populated state.
Miles and miles and miles of farmland and horse farms. And then miles and miles of Pine Barrens.
Although 30 years ago, getting through Trenton was always a challenge. It seemed to be under perpetual roadway construction and detours. Never seemed to take the same route twice. Sometimes finding myself on city streets in not very inviting neighborhoods, getting lost, etc.
When you take that route you understand why it is called “the garden state”; NJ has many features that others have to drive much longer distances to connect (mountains & lakes, farms, beaches & the ocean).
Moved to South Jersey 24 years ago to raise a family. Outsiders know about the beaches, but most don’t know about all of them, and newcomers are surprised by the farmland and the woods. I fell in love with it all and never left.