New Jersey has its fair share of negatives - outrageous taxes, a high cost of living and brutal winters - but is it enough to make you want to leave? You may be surprised to learn how many of your fellow residents would be willing to drop the Garden State in an instant.

Driving
Scott Olson, Getty Images
loading...

But picking up and shipping out isn't so easy. In many cases, there's something, or someone, holding them back from leaving New Jersey behind.

We traveled to a shopping center in Monmouth County to find some folks who want out of New Jersey, but can't leave just yet.

Junie Orelaja of Long Branch, a New Jersey resident for nearly 30 years, said she thinks about moving out of the state "all the time." But, due to her aging parents, that won't happy any time soon.

"Whatever problems they have, they call me, so I feel like I'm stuck right now," she said. "I would definitely move out of New Jersey ASAP."

Family is also the obstacle for Tinton Falls resident Kevin Spanarkle, whose daughter just graduated from Monmouth University. Although a New Jersey escape has crossed his mind "quite often," mostly because of taxes, he won't make a move until his daughter is settled and on a solid path for success.

"It seems a lot of people are leaving and a lot of homes in my neighborhood are up for sale," he said. "We have no immediate plans to take off, but we'll see what the future lies."

Lakewood resident Heather McKinnon, a school bus driver, has no family holding her back. Instead, it's the money she's making here.

"I know that I can't get this hourly wage in other states because I've looked into it," she said.

Do you want to leave New Jersey? What's stopping you? Let us know in the comment section below.

More From Beach Radio