Wayne? (Montclair, Ridgewood, Oakland: homes, neighborhoods, good schools)

[springcheer]

Hi,
Anyone know anything about the Packanack or Pines Lake sections of Wayne? Nice? Good schools? What is the political climate like?
Thanks!

[winter]

Yes, I've lived in this town for over forty years. Pines Lake is an excellent section of Wayne. Packanack Lake is nice but not as lovely as Pines Lake. Our school system is terrific. A high percentage are college bound. We have many and varied activites for children if you don't mind driving them since Wayne is approx 28 miles large. We even have an ice-skating rink, gymnastics (competitive training).Boys Club, PAL and a Y. Good Luck

[laure768]

Hello springcheer,

Both Pines Lake and Packanack Lake are excellent places to reside in. My family has lived in Packanack since the 1940's (and we plan to stay.)

Packanack Lake is a bit livelier, in the southern section of Wayne, (10 - 15 minutes from Montclair State University, Route 46/3, etc.) The homes are closer together, many people walking/jogging around the lake on nice days, sometimes too many people! Packanack is an extremely family oriented community, as well as Pines Lake, but you can actually see the families in and around the lake.

Pines Lake is a tad quieter, a bit more affluent, and is near the Oakland/Franklin Lakes border. You should definitely take a drive around both lakes and see for yourself.

Comparing the neighborhoods to other towns such as Montclair, Ridgewood, etc... you're still next to it all, but will pay less for a home since Wayne does not have plentiful access to train stations to New York, yet provides NY buses. From Packanack Lake, it will take me 30 minutes to get into midtown Manhattan. From Pines Lake, it may be more like 45 minutes.

www.packanacklake.com
www.wayneschools.com
www.waynetownship.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pines_Lake,_New_Jersey

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packana...%2C_New_Jersey

[springcheer]

Thanks for your responses. Most appreciated. We're now deciding between River Edge (in Bergen County) and the Packanack Lake section of Wayne... tough decision!