What is a affordable place to live in NJ and close to NYC?

Jersey City, yo. Before it gets fully gentrified.

It’s not close, but many people tend to live in central jersey/southern north jersey because it’s cheaper, although the commute to NY can be an hour and 30 min to 45 min.

Jersey City is affordable compared to Manhattan, but expensive compared to Arizona, and it’s a relatively high crime area. Violent crime is over twice the national average.
http://jerseycity.areaconnect.com/crime1.htm
Still, there aren’t a lot of options in NY if you don’t have a trust fund or lottery winnings.

i used to live in staten island and then i moved to AZ at 16 and i would love to move back but i need a laid back town. I love red bank and Pier village but where else is comparable but closer to the city. but of coarse i dont want to hate my self the first year while im trying to get life in order paying for some place outrageous