Science and Technology:
Edison (light bulb, 1879), Marconi (radio, 1899), David Sarnoff (RCA labs, invented TV), Bell Labs (Transistor, Big Bang proof, laser ...), Pharmaceutical headquarters for Merck, Schering-Plough, Aventis, Einstein spent a last part of his life (1933-1955) at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study.

I looked at the 2005, 2006 and 2009 CNN/Money Magazine's "Best Places to Live" lists. New Jersey, with 9, had the most cities in the top 25, followed by California (6) and WA, TX, MN, MA, & CO all with 5. However NJ ranked 48th in net migration of people over 60. I.e. more old people moved out of NJ.
See Best Places to Live here.
Interesting people