Financial magazine Money.com just released its annual standard list of the 50 best places to live in the United States, and the first place on the list is right here in the Garden State.

After recently receiving an award for its “Great American Main Street,” the Borough of Metuchen has now received another honor by taking one of the 50 spots on the coveted 2024 edition of the Money List, which is no surprise for such an attractive city.

This Middlesex County city with a population of 15,000 people was included because of its uniqueness, resilience and thriving economy, the release said.

It also highlighted how New York City’s once simple commuter town has undergone dramatic changes in less than ten years, and now boasts a picturesque downtown area with a rich cultural program, such as Restaurant Week, Chinese New Year celebrations and much more.

“Thanks to the Metuchen Downtown Alliance, a local nonprofit, the once ailing town is now teeming with life, revitalized by a diverse group of neighbors who come and go to local ice cream shops, boba cafes and tequila bars,” Money reported.

Still, according to Money, Metuchen is also an ideal place for those seeking a peaceful environment “characterized by its quaint charm and cheerful, family-oriented atmosphere.”

Additionally, the list highlighted Metuchen’s walkability, proximity and direct rail access to New York City, and highly rated public school district with excellent teachers and test scores.

How did Money’s “Best Places to Live in 2024” list come about?

The 2024 Best Places to Live list highlighted American communities that are diverse, affordable, economically thriving, and have an exceptional quality of life.

Money said it created the list through research and reporting with a focus on quality of life, equity and sustainability. The publication also asked readers for suggestions, it said.

In addition to qualitative characteristics, the list also included data on the following benchmarks:

• The health of the local labor market

• The average housing costs for homeowners and renters

• The percentage of residents living in poverty

• The quality of public schools

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Metuchen is on Money.com’s list of best places to live in New Jersey and nationwide