Despite the damage and disruption caused by Hurricane Sandy, many residents are still satisfied with life in New Jersey.

Monmouth University Polling Institute director Patrick Murray says two out of every three residents surveyed believe the Garden State is a good or excellent place to live.

“That’s a 68 positive rating. Down slightly from the 72 percent high that we saw in December but still one of the highest numbers we’ve seen in the past decade on that score. The Sandy effect really is a lasting effect so far. People are still feeling that we’re pulling together.”

Murray says the poll indicates that Jersey residents are cautiously optimistic about the rebuilding effort.

Now if more of these stories come out that people feel that they can’t rebuild because the cost is too high and that starts to seep in the state’s consciousness the question is then does that affect their neighbors and others in New Jersey who fell that we’re not doing as good as we have been.”