Ridgewood, Ramsey or Glen Rock - Jews? Special needs kids? (Fair Lawn: real estate, broker)

[DKBGMommy]

Hi all.

My DH recently accepted a job in NW Bergen county and we are planning on moving there from the boonies of upstate NY. We're considering Ramsey, Ridgewood or Glen Rock. We have 2 children (3 and 5). Here are our issues:

1. Our DS (5) has Asperger's syndrome. While he does pretty well w/ minimal supports, we need a school district that we can work with. I've heard very good things about Ramsey, good things about Ridgewood, and ok things about Glen Rock. (I've heard to stay away from Wycoff and can't get much information about Ho-Ho-Kus or Allendale).

2. I'd like to live in a community where there will be other Jews. I'm reform (dh grew up conservative) and we currently live in a community with a very, very small jewish population. I have to say, while people are nice here (read "polite") in my years of living here I've hardly made any friend that I can really relate to. (Basically, my former boss is the one person who fits that bill and she's in a very different place in her life).

Basically, I get the impression that there are (1) plenty of Jews in Glen Rock, (2) some Jews in Ridgewood, and (3) not sure if there are any in Ramsey. So basically the list is the inverse of what I've heard about the schools for kids with special needs.

We drove around the area with a real estate broker last weekend and I really like the town feel of many of the areas and the older charming houses. (I currently live in a town w/o sidewalks that can only be described as "subdivision hell" - don't get me wrong...it's a nice place and the people are nice, but it's not my cup of tea). Then I read in a post somewhere that the areas with the older homes closer to town are more waspy. Finally, I read in a post that Ridgewood was the type of place where people get very involved. While that sounds great to me in some respects, I have to admit that my DS doesn't like getting dragged to big functions where there are lots of people or kids (unless its Disneyworld) and I know my ability to participate in community things will be somewhat limited (although I'd really enjoy it).

Anyway, I'm just confused and overwhelmed and am looking for any insights people have.

TIA, Amy

[joe moving]

How about Woodcliff Lake for lots of Jewish people.

Without having the exact numbers I really wouldn't make a call on "plenty of Jews" vs "Some jews" in Ridgewood vs Glen Rock. To me these two towns are quite similar.

I also would not take peoples words on things like "the town is good" "The town is not good" in terms of how they are going to take care of your child. I would call up someone in the school district and ask them specifically how they will handle your child's needs. The towns you mentioned are among the nicest towns in NJ according to many so hopefully you can't go wrong.

Finally,I never figured out how do you get spouse from DH and child from DS?

[DKBGMommy]

Originally Posted by joe moving

Finally,I never figured out how do you get spouse from DH and child from DS?

DH is "Dear Husband" and DS is "Dear Son". Sorry for the abbreviations. I thought it was standard bulletin board lingo. (Maybe I'll revise the original post to remove confustion).

And thanks for the info about Woodcliff Lake. It would increase my DHs commute as he will be working in the Franklin Lakes / Oakland area. That said, I'm willing to take a look at it if it's a community that we might be happy in.

Amy

[joe moving]

I think it is standard, I just never knew it. From Woodcliff Lake you're right there is no great way to get to FL/Oakland. You would probably end up taking 17 North to 287 South, or back roads. It could take 30 minutes or more I think. But I know this town is known for having a large Jewish community. Franklin Lakes could be an option also.

[ira]

Originally Posted by DKBGMommy

Hi all.

My DH recently accepted a job in NW Bergen county and we are planning on moving there from the boonies of upstate NY. We're considering Ramsey, Ridgewood or Glen Rock. We have 2 children (3 and 5). Here are our issues:

1. Our DS (5) has Asperger's syndrome. While he does pretty well w/ minimal supports, we need a school district that we can work with. I've heard very good things about Ramsey, good things about Ridgewood, and ok things about Glen Rock. (I've heard to stay away from Wycoff and can't get much information about Ho-Ho-Kus or Allendale).

2. I'd like to live in a community where there will be other Jews. I'm reform (dh grew up conservative) and we currently live in a community with a very, very small jewish population. I have to say, while people are nice here (read "polite") in my years of living here I've hardly made any friend that I can really relate to. (Basically, my former boss is the one person who fits that bill and she's in a very different place in her life).

Basically, I get the impression that there are (1) plenty of Jews in Glen Rock, (2) some Jews in Ridgewood, and (3) not sure if there are any in Ramsey. So basically the list is the inverse of what I've heard about the schools for kids with special needs.

We drove around the area with a real estate broker last weekend and I really like the town feel of many of the areas and the older charming houses. (I currently live in a town w/o sidewalks that can only be described as "subdivision hell" - don't get me wrong...it's a nice place and the people are nice, but it's not my cup of tea). Then I read in a post somewhere that the areas with the older homes closer to town are more waspy. Finally, I read in a post that Ridgewood was the type of place where people get very involved. While that sounds great to me in some respects, I have to admit that my DS doesn't like getting dragged to big functions where there are lots of people or kids (unless its Disneyworld) and I know my ability to participate in community things will be somewhat limited (although I'd really enjoy it).

Anyway, I'm just confused and overwhelmed and am looking for any insights people have.

TIA, Amy

Ramsey has very good sp ed programs so does Ridgewood. I've also heard good things about Allendale. Stay away from Wyckoff and Glen Rock (both are pretty bad for sp ed). In terms of Jewish population, none of the towns you mentioned are heavily Jewish but there are plenty of Jewish families for you not to feel "lonely".

[itznin]

Fair Lawn - Which is right next to Ridgewood has one of the highest Jewish populations in the COUNTRY. They have good schools (although I don't know about sp-ed, you will have to look into that)

But it's a nice town and def worth checking out.

[ira]

Originally Posted by itznin

Fair Lawn - Which is right next to Ridgewood has one of the highest Jewish populations in the COUNTRY. They have good schools (although I don't know about sp-ed, you will have to look into that)

But it's a nice town and def worth checking out.

Fair Lawn has good sp ed programs. It's a nice town but a bit more middle class compared to other towns you mentioned. If it doesn't bother you then definitely consider it.

[Ciao9999]

Originally Posted by DKBGMommy

Hi all.

My DH recently accepted a job in NW Bergen county and we are planning on moving there from the boonies of upstate NY. We're considering Ramsey, Ridgewood or Glen Rock. We have 2 children (3 and 5). Here are our issues:

1. Our DS (5) has Asperger's syndrome. While he does pretty well w/ minimal supports, we need a school district that we can work with. I've heard very good things about Ramsey, good things about Ridgewood, and ok things about Glen Rock. (I've heard to stay away from Wycoff and can't get much information about Ho-Ho-Kus or Allendale).

2. I'd like to live in a community where there will be other Jews. I'm reform (dh grew up conservative) and we currently live in a community with a very, very small jewish population. I have to say, while people are nice here (read "polite") in my years of living here I've hardly made any friend that I can really relate to. (Basically, my former boss is the one person who fits that bill and she's in a very different place in her life).

Basically, I get the impression that there are (1) plenty of Jews in Glen Rock, (2) some Jews in Ridgewood, and (3) not sure if there are any in Ramsey. So basically the list is the inverse of what I've heard about the schools for kids with special needs.

We drove around the area with a real estate broker last weekend and I really like the town feel of many of the areas and the older charming houses. (I currently live in a town w/o sidewalks that can only be described as "subdivision hell" - don't get me wrong...it's a nice place and the people are nice, but it's not my cup of tea). Then I read in a post somewhere that the areas with the older homes closer to town are more waspy. Finally, I read in a post that Ridgewood was the type of place where people get very involved. While that sounds great to me in some respects, I have to admit that my DS doesn't like getting dragged to big functions where there are lots of people or kids (unless its Disneyworld) and I know my ability to participate in community things will be somewhat limited (although I'd really enjoy it).

Anyway, I'm just confused and overwhelmed and am looking for any insights people have.

TIA, Amy

I went to Ridgewood HS, I think there are plenty of Jews in Ridgewood. Yes, the syanagogue is in Glen Rock, the towns run into each other, hard to tell where one town ends or the other begins. Plus Fair Lawn is nearby, very large community there. All 3 towns are fine, although Fair Lawn has more orthodox.

[chconnol]

You want Fair Lawn. Very Jewish.
My son has Asperger's also. The Fair Lawn schools are so well regarded for their special needs classes that out of towners from wealthy districts send their kids here and pay for it. I know because I've met a number of them. Many say the "better" towns schools pay more for programs for high functioning or athletic kids.

Trust me...check out Fair Lawn...

[DKBGMommy]

chconnol:

I believe that Fair Lawn is very "Jewish", but I'm not orthodox. (I'm not even really conservative) and I get the impression that many of the Jews in Fair Lawn are Orthodox / Conservative and send their children to private schools. Am I off base? I have to say that looking at the MLS you can definitely get more house for the money in Fair Lawn.

Thanks, Amy