New Jersey gets a lot of flack from the rest of the country.

People seem so flabbergasted as to why anyone would want to live here.

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For me, New Jersey is great because you get a little bit of everything all within driving distance.

Beaches, mountains, pinelands, we've got it all.

Plus, we're a short trip to New York City and Philadelphia.

New Jersey Stereotypes

It's often hard to kick the stereotypes for those who love The Garden State.

Here are some of my favorites:

  • There's nothing to see in New Jersey but highways and factories.
  • The entire state smells like pollution.
  • The Jersey Shore is just like the show "Jersey Shore."
  • All New Jerseyans are rude and aggressive.
  • Everyone in New Jersey is Italian-American.
  • The traffic in New Jersey is always terrible.
  • New Jerseyans only eat pizza and bagels.
  • The entire state is just one big highway.
  • New Jersey is a dangerous state to live in.
  • New Jersey is full of toxic waste dumps.

There's one aspect of the Garden State that many forget. History.

Many centuries' worth of history has shaped our state over time. We have some towns that are older than the country itself.

As you'll see, several towns are stuck in time.

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But that's okay because these places' quirkiness really adds to the charm.

Most of these towns you will likely have never heard of.

Maybe these spots should stay our "secret hidden gems?"

Many of these tiny towns in New Jersey would make excellent day trips.

30 Special and Unique New Jersey Towns Everyone Must Visit

Gallery Credit: Matt Ryan

LOOK: Here are the 25 best places to live in New Jersey

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in New Jersey using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Cities, suburbs, and towns were included. Listings and images are from realtor.com.

On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.

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