What are the best areas to live in jersey with the easiest commute to the city?

Don't know your budget, but if you look at a map: any city as far north as suffern, NY, or as far down south as New Brunswick, NJ is connected by public transport (bus/train), so as to be into Manhattan in 30 - 45 minutes max. If you want to use car, fuhgedboutit. Do you want to commute daily into city, or just be there sporadically? Is this your only criterion?

And trying to use public transportation as close to the city as possible!

If you plan to use public transport, then I suggest you do your homework...look up train/bus timings from various cities on the route(s) to Manhattan (very easy on the internet). The difference in time between one city "near" NYC and another "far" away, may be only 15 minutes of transit time. But the difference could be 100s of $ in rent. All other things being equal train transit is more convenient, reliable than bus to the city (or from it, for that matter).Unless money is no object, and a fashionable address is.

Jersey City is your best bet.   Hoboken is great too but JC is even cheaper and just as nice in its redeveloped parts.  Only 10 minutes from the heart of Manhattan and a LOT cheaper.

You know, until you're on your feet and all. I'm sure we can work something out! (I had to try!)

Secaucus is very close and many nyc workers commute there.