Downtown area in Bergen towns (Ridgewood, Ramsey: condo, houses, construction)

[newmom2007]

Hi,

I'm trying to narrow down our house search, and I've looked at conveinence to NYC and schools. Anyway, I'm wondering if any of the following towns have downtown areas, and it would be great if you could tell me where they are:
Montvale
River Vale
Park Ridge
Mahwah

Oh - and if anyone is a Mahwah expert, I'd appreciate some guidance on what sections to focus on since that town is rather large!

Thanks.

[kimchee]

I don't know about those towns but know that in Bergen county Allendale and Ridgewood both have downtowns. I especially love the beautiful Ridgewood downtown.

Both have great school districts. My hubby grew up in the area and came away with a great educational experience from Allendale.

[stevemorse]

I would not go to Mahwah I would pick Park Ridge out of the all Mahwah, too many cops with a ton of infustructure , building like crazy, taxes going thru the roof, and way too big to have a small town feel. Going to build a huge mall and condo transit village in by sharp building . Ripping out all the land and building, its flat out too big to really get close to people and so many different sections only section I like is Fardale. Park Ridge is your town You get a nice small town feel with lower tax and nice houses, mostly catholic and honest people. Own water company so water is good, great moms and people. Very cute little town, kids friendly not so rich and nasty, less drugs, just a better choice. Mahwah is kinda overrated!

[brittalia]

NJ monthly voted #8 best town to live in this year, 2008. There is a lot of high end new construction happening in the town which is apparently changing the town demographics. What will it be like in 10 years? Any Mahwah residents out there with a crystal ball?

[BaskingRidgeMom]

I would look into Ramsey...the next town over from Mahwah. It has a real quaint downtown with alot of stores, great hair salons, resterants, a kids movie theater, and train station. Ramsey also has a very good school system. My brother use to live in Ramsey and I did consider moving there at one time...he now lives in a beautiful home in Mahwah. Mahwah just built a brand new train station with lots of parking, but Mahwah doesn't have a downtown area. It does however have lower rate of taxes in comparison to other towns in Bergen.