MONMOUTH, NJ (CBS) – A recent poll shows that New Jersey residents are happy with their quality of life.

The poll, which was conducted by Monmouth University, surveyed more than 800 residents about their environment, neighborhood safety and local schools.

On a scale of -100 to +100, the current Garden State Quality of Life Index came in at +29, just one point down from December 2012.

Similarly, two out of three residents say the state is an excellent or good place to live (68%), which — though down slightly from an all time high of 72% recorded in December – remains positive.

“While there has been a slight decline in New Jerseyans’ feelings of goodwill about their home state, post-Sandy positivity is still well in evidence,” said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth
University Polling Institute.

And while residents might be feeling a little less positive about New Jersey as a whole, they are feeling better about local schools, with the percent satisfied with education in their area up three points from December to 64%.

Monmouth University’s polling center says the poll’s +29 ranking is the third highest recorded in the two years since the index was first recorded.

To see the poll results, visit: www.monmouth.edu/assets/0/84/159/2147483694/2417df9b-5ef6-4b3b-b70a-6ede2f740344.pdf