My father grew up on the border of Penn/New Jersey. He absolutely loved the area. Hated Memphis but stayed. (Said we had 2 nice days a year one in the spring and one in the fall. The rest of the year it was either 100 degrees and 90% humidity or 37 degrees and wet. No way to be comfortable in either!)
Friends of mine that have moved to NJ have not been in your area evidentily. Thay say everyone is rabidly Demonrats except a few RINOs. Hell I stored one guy's guns!
I live in the Ocean County, Toms River -- a service job area.
Maybe your friends reside in high density union job area?