Moving to NJ, Montvale area (Ramsey, Tenafly: rent, house, neighborhoods)

[kikanakala]

I don't think we'll actually be living IN Montvale. I'm really looking for a safe town with fun things to do near it. I've been looking through other threads for towns that are recommended and have a list of 26! (With two or three being recommended by some, not recommended by others). I would really like to narrow that down, but I guess I'll just give the list to my realtor/atp.locator and tell her to run with it! What about Edgewater? That one keeps popping up. Is it too far away, and is it safe, are there fun things to do there?

[fronteer]

Pretty much anyplace in north Bergen County would be considered safe. However it is expensive and I would highly recommend it if money isn't an issue.

Personally I would not look lower than Edgewater, but that's my preference. I don't really care for Edgewater that much - from what I've seen, it's a high traffic area with lots of cars going up/down River Road trying to get to the Ferry or Lincoln tunnel (especially during rush hour).

[kikanakala]

We'll just be renting. Planning to stay under $2500/mo. How about Ridgewood?

[JerZ]

Originally Posted by kikanakala

We'll just be renting. Planning to stay under $2500/mo. How about Ridgewood?

I'm sorry, how big did you want to rent again? 2br, or a house? If it's a 2br, I'd say you can get one in your price range in Ridgewood. And in that case I would DEFINITELY go Ridgewood over Edgewater. Trust me on this one.

I think you're going to love the area. Are you getting excited? Are you nervous about something new?

[fronteer]

Agree with JerZ, Ridgewood is a lovely town. Edgewater can't even compare. Ridgewood is community oriented, noted for it's consistently excellent school system, lots of small shops downtown, and very safe. Good location too, it's close the highways, probably about 20 min drive to NYC.

[kikanakala]

Okay, that helped! I'll put Ridgewood at the top of the list. I don't want to offend anyone on towns they like, I just want to find out what works best for my family and what I'm looking for. Yes, the price was for a 2 bdr. apartment. Any other specific recommendations? Here are some other towns I had on my list. Please, if you see a good choice for me let me know, and also if you see one that might not be a good fit. I'm looking for safe, with some things to do. THANKS!

Lodi, Montclair, Hackensack, Wyckoff, Ramsey, Mahwah, Saddle River, Park Ridge, Woodcliff Lake, Tenafly, Alpine, Englewood Cliffs, Fair Lawn, Summit, Verona, Caldwell, Livingston, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Nutley....also, feel free to add some if you have any you think I should add to the list. I realize some of those are further away, so if you think they're too far and not enough amenities to be a draw for that distance, let me know.

I actually am getting really excited, but I was more nervous until I started reading posts and getting so many great ideas and things to do! I've been to NYC once (my ONLY trip to the northeast!), and never New Jersey so I had absolutely no idea what to expect, because all I ever heard about on the news was Newark!

[JerZ]

Originally Posted by kikanakala

Okay, that helped! I'll put Ridgewood at the top of the list. I don't want to offend anyone on towns they like, I just want to find out what works best for my family and what I'm looking for. Yes, the price was for a 2 bdr. apartment. Any other specific recommendations? Here are some other towns I had on my list. Please, if you see a good choice for me let me know, and also if you see one that might not be a good fit. I'm looking for safe, with some things to do. THANKS!

Lodi, Montclair, Hackensack, Wyckoff, Ramsey, Mahwah, Saddle River, Park Ridge, Woodcliff Lake, Tenafly, Alpine, Englewood Cliffs, Summit, Verona, Caldwell, Livingston, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Nutley....also, feel free to add some if you have any you think I should add to the list. I realize some of those are further away, so if you think they're too far and not enough amenities to be a draw for that distance, let me know.

I actually am getting really excited, but I was more nervous until I started reading posts and getting so many great ideas and things to do! I've been to NYC once (my ONLY trip to the northeast!), and never New Jersey so I had absolutely no idea what to expect, because all I ever heard about on the news was Newark!

Okay...I bolded a few that I really like, which really have that homey, neighbor-like feel to me. I don't know all the towns that well so it doesn't mean the non-bolded ones are all necessarily bad or anything. But all the towns I bolded, I would absolutely live in, and feel safe and happy in.

I will add: Westwood; HoHokus; River Vale; Emerson and maybe Oradell.

Yep...lots of people touch down in Newark during travel since it's the international airport, and then keep going to their destination, and go, "Oh my GOD, NJ is so bad." People also focus on Newark (I am not trying to insult anyone who lives in Newark) because it's a whole lot more sensationalist to look at an extreme than the basic norm. But the areas you're going to be hanging around in...no sweat. Neighborhoods, lovely, homey. Good luck on your move!

[fronteer]

Originally Posted by JerZ

Okay...I bolded a few that I really like, which really have that homey, neighbor-like feel to me. I don't know all the towns that well so it doesn't mean the non-bolded ones are all necessarily bad or anything. But all the towns I bolded, I would absolutely live in, and feel safe and happy in.

I will add: Westwood; HoHokus; River Vale; Emerson and maybe Oradell.

Yep...lots of people touch down in Newark during travel since it's the international airport, and then keep going to their destination, and go, "Oh my GOD, NJ is so bad." People also focus on Newark (I am not trying to insult anyone who lives in Newark) because it's a whole lot more sensationalist to look at an extreme than the basic norm. But the areas you're going to be hanging around in...no sweat. Neighborhoods, lovely, homey. Good luck on your move!

Tenafly is good as well, they also have an excellent school system.

Alpine and Englewood Cliffs are exclusive areas. They're mostly million dollar+ homes, and probably don't have homes available for rent. Plus, both towns don't have high schools and the folks there have to send their children to school in neighboring towns. Alpine is for the super wealthy.

The best towns in Bergen county are all north of Route 4, try narrowing your search to that area. You can't go wrong with any of them, they're all great places to live.

[kikanakala]

Okay, thanks! I'm a little nervous because when I look online at sites like Rent.com, they don't really have much in any of those areas (I found two rentals total!). I'm hoping there are places that aren't listed that my realtor will know about, including townhomes, etc. I think Paramus is north of Rte. 4? What's it like?

[fronteer]

North Bergen county is mostly residential homes, that's probably why you aren't seeing much. But I'm sure you can find houses to rent, there's always somebody looking to rent out their house.

I love Paramus, it's the shopping capital of Bergen county. I'm always going there, you probably will too (everyone does). They have 3 shopping malls and tons of stores on Route 4 & Route 17. Van Saun Park is also located there. It's a great place to live as long as you're not too close to the highways, where there's lots of cars, usually around rush hour.

Their school system is also very good, but not as prestigious as Ridgewood or Tenafly. Plus easy access to the major highways (Route 4, 17, 80, Garden State Parkway) is convenient. Compared to Ridgewood, it's a hard to choice to make. They're both excellent towns, but I would pick Ridgewood just because there aren't as many cars going through it.