New Jersey is a great state. Once you get away from the immediate area of Newark it gets really nice. It is a very high population density area. I personally grew up south of the airport in Monmouth county. Nice suburban areas, prices vary depending on town between reasonable and obscene. Easy access to EWR via the turnpike. I should also mention there are 2 New Jerseys, north and south with I-195 being the traditional divider. The north has forests and mountains, and the culture or NYC. The south is pine forests and rednecks; it might as well be Alabama.
I'm at XJT as well. Before you decide to go to C5, wait and have a look at the new TA we're about to be offered and if we do get those 175s. For EWR I'd also strongly recommend Republic over C5.