I left NJA in 2017 and never looked back. Best decision I have made in my aviation career. I know NJA has gotten better, but there are countless and endless reasons to leave that place. I hated it there and have been very happy with my decision to leave, but that is obviously my path and journey. I make considerably more money (not even counting DC 401K), have more time off, have way less stress, stay in better hotels, and have better and longer overnights on average than my buddies, who I still keep in touch with there. I left NJA and was able to ride a greatly timed wave at my airline, so mileage will always vary in that regard, but the outlook of going to any major airline has never been better.

If you are tired of the constant rollbacks on rest, 25 changes a day, and non-stop metal movement, you will be so freaking happy you left if you make that decision.

Basing is a contentious topic when it comes to NJA, and airlines, and I will make arguments that certain commutes are actually easier, and still give you more time off a month than working at NJA, being home-based. I was OAK-based with NJA, and more often than not, it was at least a 2-leg commute out to the jet, which also usually included some amount of a car ride to another airport. Coming home, it was working all day and another 2+leg commute home with a last-minute booked ticket.

This will vary greatly by airline/base/fleet/seat, but you should be able to hold commutable trips eventually and if you live somewhere where you can do a 1 leg commute, especially on company metal, I promise you that you will have less stress, more time off per month and make more money at any legacy, over NJA. If you don't care about the middle seat and love the idea of home basing and flexibility for the rest of your career, NJA holds the advantage there but I promise you, nobody that commutes at a 121 major, is wanting to go to NJA to be home based.