Originally Posted by Citoyen du Monde

This is the typical reaction of those who have never experienced the world at large. NJ and LI are both sufficiently big and diverse as to offer equally appealing or appalling locales. You simply need to know what you want and select your residence accordingly. I have lived in 7 different countries in my life and am now living by choice in NJ even if I do not have any ties, family or otherwise, that link me to where I am. It all boils down to a question of quality of life. BTW, my NJ town was selected as the best place to live in the US a few years ago, by the New York based Money magazine, so it can't only be in my head.