Best New Jersey neighborhoods near Ridgefield (Montclair, Bergenfield: rent, house, safe neighborhood)

[Ristenkay]

My husband and I are moving from California to New Jersey for his job in Ridgefield, NJ. I need help finding a great neighborhood.

About us:
- Recently married 27 & 29 y/o couple and our pup

Here's what we're looking for:
- At least a 2 bedroom / 2 bathroom house with a backyard for our dog for under $3000/mo in rent.
- We want a walkable, safe neighborhood with coffee shops, restaurants and parks
- Near public transportation - I will probably work in Manhattan
- He wants less than a 40 minute commute to Ridgefield by car or train

Please let me know where the good neighborhoods are. The more detail the better.

Thanks!
Ristenkay

[AZM91]

Ridgewood can fit your needs. Not sure HOW big of a lot you can get though. Ramsey could be an option but the commute is slightly longer, as it's further north than Ridgewood.

[brokenaperture]

Ridgewood is a good option for sure. Rutherford is also a great place to look. Montclair as well but from what I hear unless you have designated off street parking there you're gonna enjoy some tickets.

[Tappan Zee]

I would also look at Tenafly. This town would be a bit closer to Ridgefield and NYC. If you work in Manhattan, you can take an Express NJ transit bus, as there are many stops through the town and it would also suit your husband's commute. You'd also be neighbors to one of the most affluent towns in America, Alpine,NJ.

I don't know much about Ridgefield Park, but it's near Ridgefield and I know you don't have kids but it was voted "Best place to raise kids in NJ"
http://images.businessweek.com/slideshows/20101214/the-best-places-to-raise-your-kids-2011/slides/31

Runner-up in businessweek was Bergenfield neighbor to Tenafly, you'd save a bit more money in rent in this town. You can also take an Express NJ transit bus to NYC as there are many stops along Washington Ave in this town and would suit your husband's commute as well. Dumont and Haworth might also be worth a look.

I would also look into Oradell and Cresskill. Oradell is a nice town but is also closer to Paramus, where traffic might be a problem. Commuting from Cresskill to NYC and Ridgefield would be closer than Oradell.