Ask about car insurance as well. We live in southern NJ. Salem County has lovely country areas and the property taxes are very reasonable. But auto insurance is extremely high in NJ with just a few carriers to choose from.
So I would recommend checking auto insurance rates as well. Good luck !
Nazi Jersey has the highest automobile rates in the country because state politicians have hounded most insurers for years. Besides, who wants to live in a state where the most conservative state politician is Christie Todd Whitman. The entire state is run for tax eaters around New York and Philadelphia.
In other words, if you hate California, stay out of Jersey unless you HAVE to take a job there.