If you could choose from any of these three states to live in, and wished to choose a town with the maximum # of good churches (i.e regular masses, priests) nearby, where would you choose?

It really depends on what kind of setting you like. There is city life, rural areas, coastal towns . Also do you want to live by Philly or NYC ? Is there a particular ethnic group you want to live with or avoid ? It's an extremely diverse area.

For Mass there is SSPX in Eddystone, PA & W Orange , NJ
There is Mater Ecclesiae (indult) in South Jersey
FSSP in North Jersey
ICK in North Jersey
Not sure about New York but the city must have some.
I also think there are some Sede groups also.

I live in NJ by The shore , I grew up in North Jersey and worked in Cherry Hill ( outside of Philly)

Any questions I would be glad to help

Sparta, nj is also where Father Hewko and Father Pfieffer offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  Sparta, New Jersey group are a great bunch of Catholics from North Jersey.  

Dear shin,

A lot depends upon other criterion you don't mention.  WHERE in these states you live makes a huge difference.  I've lived in all three states, but am most familiar with NY.  Here's a brief run-down.
Rural NY -  Few Mass options, SSPX, widely scattered indults, a few "independents," most of which are on the lunatic-fringe, IMHO;  Least expensive, housing for large family available, moral/cultural atmosphere, think "Appalachia North."  Very economically depressed, few jobs with living wage; medical resources poor, at very long distance; Be prepared to do a lot of driving.  Climate in winter harsh, the farther north, the more difficult.  If much above Albany, expect to be kept at home at least a few days in January-March.  Great if you're the rugged, live-off-the-land type.
Rural PA- Similar to NY, SSPX, CMRI, in some areas many indults, also Eastern rites; better economy than NY, not great, however;  moral/cultural atmosphere best of three; housing for large family readily available, but more expensive; climate can be harsh, but winters shorter than northern NY; good medical care.
Rural/Suburban NJ-  Mass fairly accessible at moderate drive, SSPX, CMRI, Frat. St.Peter, indult, established Resistance Mass in Sparta;  Most expensive, jobs available; housing available; moral/cultural atmosphere fairly good.  Gov. Christie against gαy marriage, but lots of opposition to his stance, likely to change when his term ends; very good medical care at moderate drive.
Urban PA-  Mass readily available at short distance, SSPX, St.Peter, indult, eastern rite, established Resistance Mass near Philadelphia airport, moderately expensive; jobs available; housing expensive but available, moral/cultural atmosphere "okay,"
excellent medical facilities close by; The exception is the Scranton area.  Lots of Mass options, but is very economically depressed.
Urban NJ-  Mass readily available, SSPX, St. Peter, indult, eastern rite, "independent" on Jersey Shore, drive to Resistance Mass in Philadelphia and Sparta; expensive c.o.l., jobs available, housing a bit tight, not impossible; moral atmosphere not-the-best; excellent medical facilities.  Be ready to spend lots of time driving or waiting in traffic jams, tolls=robbery.
Urban(Albany)/Suburban NY-  Mass SSPX, St. Peter, CMRI, independent, St. Pius V, indult; high c.o.l., good economy, jobs available; moral/cultural atmosphere varies, mostly bad, housing expensive but available; good to excellent medical care.  Long Island is generally more expensive and has more traffic than Albany.
NYC-  Lots of churches, but most novus ordo, most indults of all areas, most eastern rites, tiny SSPX in Manhattan in rented room, no parking nearby, accessible via bus/subway; extremely expensive c.o.l., many jobs; Moral atmosphere is abysmal.  Degeneracy is "in-your-face," unavoidable, very fast pace-of-life; Culturally speaking, NY is THE place for the arts, You'll be living and interacting with people from all over the globe, if that appeals to you.; Housing for large family nonexistent except for extremely rich (or extremely poor-ie, on welfare in public housing); some of the best medical facilities in the world for those who can afford them.  Auto-ownership extremely expensive and inconvenient, unless you're wealthy.  Traffic-jams are notorious, # bridge & tunnel tolls.

If you are a large trad. family of upper-middle or upper class, I'd recommend suburban or rural NJ.  Keep in mind, however, that if God wants you in a certain place, He'll put you there so long as you cooperate with the Holy Ghost.  PRAY!  All the pro's and con's in the world are irrelevant to Our Lord.  I hope this has been of some use to you!
God's blessings for your future.  May you do His Will!
Frances

Thank you very much for all this information.. It is really helpful reading and is filling in the blanks and confirming in many cases.

I've lived in the tri-state area and my family is from it. One one side we're originally from the Scranton area. But the family moved east for work, settling in NY and NJ.

Scranton.. I'm seriously thinking about the surrounding towns again.  But.. yes it is depressed isn't it?

I've spent a number of years living in upstate NY, as well as on the Jersey shore. :)

I'm not the city type, suburbia more likely. Too much country and the long drives are too much for me unless it's just the right spot where that isn't necessary. Otherwise I love the country but for the driving.

If I could settle down in the suburbs in the right spot near some good churches, so that if one failed, there'd still be the other, with a good daily, that would be happiness.

Thank you CathMom.

I will certainly consider all factors, and you've given me some things I hadn't heard of, it is simply the spiritual factors that I focused on in my question but I'm glad to hear about the others. May God's will be done.

Crime, the type of folks in the area, many things are important.

I do not have any children to take care of, and I am not married, nor will I think, I ever be. I am very glad to know about what it would be like for a family though.

There are some hard winters upstate, that I can never forget. More evenly distributed seasons certainly are easier to handle.

I remember one year when the well froze up, that was a tough one.

:soapbox:
A friend has just informed me that Fr. Murphy is moving back to Long Island in the Fall.  I cannot yet confirm this third-hand information.  If I find out for sure, I'll post here.

Last known po box was from jersey shore.

You can't buy a vintage 1970 dog house for 179k in NYC!  To me, that's a bargain!