People are apparently leaving the Big Apple for the Garden State to escape COVID-19, according to research conducted by the New York Post.

The newspaper found that people are leaving New York City and moving to New Jersey – particularly to areas like Hoboken, Jersey City and Princeton.

“With the pandemic, so many people want out of their tiny Manhattan apartment,” says realtor Nicholas Homcy.

The New York Post reports that more than 3,000 New York City residents have moved to Hudson County since the pandemic began. There were more than 1,200 change of address requests from New York to Hoboken between March 1 and Oct. 31 and over 2,000 for parts of Jersey City.

“People maybe want to get a bigger place, maybe be able to afford having a car somewhere, have a little more green,” Homcy says. “The ability to travel in New Jersey to maybe go hiking, but still want to be close to Manhattan.

The Post reports that the main reason for the move is the pandemic, but it also cited financial concerns, crime and the state of the schools.

These New Yorkers will have some more room in Hudson County, as many Hoboken and Jersey City residents are leaving those cities for suburban areas of New Jersey.

“In Jersey City and Hoboken and Weehawken, we’re kind of seeing this weird point that people want out, but also people who want in. So, it’s not as crazy,” Homcy says.

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop says in a statement, “We aren’t surprised that people recognize the progress here in Jersey City. Over the last year, despite the pandemic, we have been able to keep crime down, we have been able to provide more resources for homeless and struggling residents, we have been able to keep taxes flat, and we have done all of this while still investing in arts and culture. These are all things that NYC has recently struggled with.”

Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla says, “It’s no longer a secret - our mile square is the best place to live and raise a family on the entire East Coast. We welcome any and all new residents who are looking to call our mile square home for years to come, and know they will not be disappointed with what our city has to offer.”

The Post also says that New York City residents are also moving out to Long Island and parts of Westchester County and Connecticut.