Thinking about moving to Ridgewood, NJ (Hoboken: sales, house, living in)
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and let me know if you have any other questions. Most Jewish families that find Ridgewood Temple too conservative go to the one in Washington Township. I believe that's the closest one to Ridgewood. Just an FYI, most Jewish families I know live in the Upper Ridgewood area and their kids go to the Willard Elementary School. That part of town is considered more affluent and also more "snobbish". If that doesn't bother you, look for houses in that area. They are more expensive but you'll have a much better chance of having Jewish neighbours.
Good Luck
Ira, just curious. I too am Jewish (reform). I read your post about Upper Ridgewood being considered a little bit snobby. What is your feeling on the overall feel for Ridgewood? I know you love the town, just curious if there is an overall feeling of "snobbish" to the entire town or just the Upper Ridgewood section in your opinion? Thanks
Ira, just curious. I too am Jewish (reform). I read your post about Upper Ridgewood being considered a little bit snobby. What is your feeling on the overall feel for Ridgewood? I know you love the town, just curious if there is an overall feeling of "snobbish" to the entire town or just the Upper Ridgewood section in your opinion? Thanks
Overall, I don't think Ridgewood is snobbish. But then again, I don't live in Upper Ridgewood and I don't mingle with "those" people So, my Ridgewood friends and neighbours are totally cool, down-to-earth people. Please don't get me wrong, there are plenty of great families who live in all parts of Ridgewood, including the most expensive areas. I think at the end of the day, it's who you are that matters. Ridgewood is large enough so that you could find people you want to be friends with. I couldn't care less about all the Stepford Wives of Ridgewood (and there are plenty). I could never be friends with them and neither could my family. I simply woudn't allow it.
So, if you like Ridgewood, don't worry about snobs. There are plenty of great people here.
and let me know if you have any other questions. Most Jewish families that find Ridgewood Temple too conservative go to the one in Washington Township. I believe that's the closest one to Ridgewood. Just an FYI, most Jewish families I know live in the Upper Ridgewood area and their kids go to the Willard Elementary School. That part of town is considered more affluent and also more "snobbish". If that doesn't bother you, look for houses in that area. They are more expensive but you'll have a much better chance of having Jewish neighbours.
Good Luck
Hi Ira,
I know this posting is a few months old, but I just came across it. My wife and I moved to Ridgewood one year ago. We love it, but have yet to meet any other Jewish (reform) families with young children. Our daughter is 2 and will go to the Barnert Temple in Franklin Lakes this summer and fall. But it would be nice to know that there are others with a similar cultural background within our own neighborhood. Our concern is that the kids at Barnert will mostly be Franklin Lakes kids. Any suggestions other than joining the temples? Is the Jewish population in Ridgewood really that small?
Hi Ira,
I know this posting is a few months old, but I just came across it. My wife and I moved to Ridgewood one year ago. We love it, but have yet to meet any other Jewish (reform) families with young children. Our daughter is 2 and will go to the Barnert Temple in Franklin Lakes this summer and fall. But it would be nice to know that there are others with a similar cultural background within our own neighborhood. Our concern is that the kids at Barnert will mostly be Franklin Lakes kids. Any suggestions other than joining the temples? Is the Jewish population in Ridgewood really that small?
Thanks for any and all advice.
dave
Hi Dave,
I know few families from Ridgewood that go to Barnert Temple. Most of them have older kids though. Check out Temple Beth Or in Washington Township. It's very popular among young Ridgewood families and from what I've heard it's a little more laid back than Barnert. In terms of Jewish population in general, I don't think it's that small but Ridgewood is a big town so it's not as visible as in some other towns. I can assure you though, when your daughter starts school, she won't be the only one celebrating Hanukkah :-)
i live in ridgewood. most people will tell you it's republican/conservative, but the population is actually split almost 50/50 between democrats and republicans. as for schools, they're great... there's no denying that. they can definitely accomodate for any learning differences your son may have. there's also a good amount of jews, though the most prominent "group" of people (at least in my opinion) would probably be WASPs -- white anglo saxon protestants. keep in mind there is very little diversity in ridgewood, both racial and otherwise. it's hard to be different there, though that may be changing a bit.
i can definitely tell you that the jewish population is sizable, given the fact that i was going/invited to bat/bar mitzvahs almost every other weekend in middle school. haha.
Thanks Ira and 'turnyourback.' I know that once she goes to school things will be different. It's just a few years away. We'll definitely check out Beth Or.
Best,
dave
Ridgewood does have a lot of Republicans, but don't hold that against it
They are fiscal conservatives, not Bible belt, holy roller types.
I went to Ridgewood HS. I appreciate the school system. And Ridgewood is unlike other suburbs in that is has a downtown, it's walkable, and has trains and buses to NY. yes, there are some trophy wives, and upper class people that think rules don't apply to them, and who chose to live in Ridgewood as a fashion statement. But Ridgewood also has some great people too that are there because they appreciate the town and the great school system.
My husband is considering a job offer in Paramus. I have found this site very helpful and see that Ridgewood seems like a lovely town. We have 2 daughters aged 16 and 13 (one outgoing and looking forward to the experience and one not so keen). We want a reasonable sized town, where they can walk or get the bus to the main downtown. We also want a good school for them. Reading your comments to the Jewish couple earlier, what are the residents like for accepting non-practising-Christian foreigners?!
Reading your comments to the Jewish couple earlier, what are the residents like for accepting non-practising-Christian foreigners?!
Absolutely fine. You won't be a majority but you'll have no problems at all :-)
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So, my Ridgewood friends and neighbours are totally cool, down-to-earth people. Please don't get me wrong, there are plenty of great families who live in all parts of Ridgewood, including the most expensive areas. I think at the end of the day, it's who you are that matters. Ridgewood is large enough so that you could find people you want to be friends with. I couldn't care less about all the Stepford Wives of Ridgewood (and there are plenty). I could never be friends with them and neither could my family. I simply woudn't allow it. 
Jews in Ridgewood revisited...
