Sounds like Hoboken is your best bet, in my opinion that’s the most connected area to NYC. However you won’t get the true NYC experience in NJ coming from someone who has lived both places. I prefer this side of the Hudson personally. The two states feel very different culturally despite being so connected life moves at a slower pace and people are more chill and easygoing, there’s not as much hustle and bustle. People who live in NYC will probably look down on you a bit and be reluctant to come visit you, and you will likely spend most of your time in NJ. You will however be close enough to hop into Manhattan whenever you like.

This sub tends to be very anti car but personally I wouldn’t move to most places in Hudson county without a car. It’s too convenient for me to have it to get around and do my errands with, even makes traveling to NYC late at night much easier. Hoboken is totally doable without a car and so is most of JC. NJT buses are good and often better than the rail. But I would recommend keeping your car when you move here even if you don’t use it every day, you can sell it later if you find it’s not worth keeping.