Hey, I've lived in NYC and I currently live in Westchester, a county directly above it.
If you're travelling to Manhattan, I'd like to echo what another commenter said in that New Jersey is not your only or your best option. You can find affordable real estate (especially with your budget of $2k) within Westchester.
A lot of people travel from New Jersey to Manhattan within a a half hour - this is a pretty good commute. But you can still live within New York if you live in one of the lower towns of Westchester and travel using Metro North. It's a higher end train system than the subway, and it goes to Grand Central station from just about every conceivable town that would be a commutable option for you.
New York and New Jersey are fundamentally different. Yes, both can work for you, but one will fit your personality more than another. The outer boroughs and the lower towns of Westchester have a distinct "NY" feel that is still very urban and metropolitan (despite having a lot of suburbs) because it is so close to the city and within the same state. New Jersey isn't bad because it's not quite like this, but it is different - you should hang out around both if it's realistic for you so you can see for yourself which population suits you more. Coming from Hong Kong, you'll want to be as close to the city as possible, I think.
I highly, highly encourage you to not just limit yourself to New Jersey. Good luck :)
If you're travelling to Manhattan, I'd like to echo what another commenter said in that New Jersey is not your only or your best option. You can find affordable real estate (especially with your budget of $2k) within Westchester.
A lot of people travel from New Jersey to Manhattan within a a half hour - this is a pretty good commute. But you can still live within New York if you live in one of the lower towns of Westchester and travel using Metro North. It's a higher end train system than the subway, and it goes to Grand Central station from just about every conceivable town that would be a commutable option for you.
New York and New Jersey are fundamentally different. Yes, both can work for you, but one will fit your personality more than another. The outer boroughs and the lower towns of Westchester have a distinct "NY" feel that is still very urban and metropolitan (despite having a lot of suburbs) because it is so close to the city and within the same state. New Jersey isn't bad because it's not quite like this, but it is different - you should hang out around both if it's realistic for you so you can see for yourself which population suits you more. Coming from Hong Kong, you'll want to be as close to the city as possible, I think.
I highly, highly encourage you to not just limit yourself to New Jersey. Good luck :)