Relocation: Wyckoff/Allendale with tweens (Wayne, Fair Lawn: YMCA, middle school, living in)

[nataloohoo]

I live in Southern NJ now, and I may be relocating to NoNJ with middle school aged girls. I have driven around a lot and I really like the look and feel of Wyckoff and Allendale. It important to us that there is a Jewish population. These towns seem to have a nice mix of people. Wyckoff a beautiful downtown and the YMCA...OMG that's the best Ive seen! BUT..
What I am most concerned with is the transition for my daughters. Are these towns friendly and inviting? Is it all about what designer your wearing? Do children and families of other cultures and religions get along and mix well? What do tweens (10-13yrs) do as activities or on the weekends. Please be candid and let me know about the reputations of these towns?

PS do these towns have school busing?
Thank you

[GiantRutgersfan]

Wyckoff has bussing. not sure on Allendale.

Wyckoff in particular is a bit rich/snobbish. I live within 5 minutes of there, but I dont think i could ever live in Wyckoff. But thats just me.

Allendale is similar, but a bit less. you will find real people living there. go for Allendale of the two.

[stevemorse]

I don't find wyckoff snobby at all! I find people in Wyckoff extremely happy and not a problem in the world type! THey are in pretty good moods there in Wyckoff, you know I am finding actually the more rich towns are actually less disgrunted people! It was never like that but now I go to lets say a blue collar town and the people are a little more reserved now! I think you should go to Wyckoff if you like it, I worked in Wyckoff, I know lots of people in Wyckoff, there is a temple off route 208, it has a great downtown, and after awhile people are people and they will accept you. If you get involved in things and time you will be thrilled! I find Allendale more reserved and older bunch and no downtown really so I would go with wyckoff with children, allendale without!

[EEEPNJ]

First off, if you have Tween Girls, they will be elated to know that they are living in the same town as the Jonas Brothers! (Wyckoff, NJ)

I have heard Wyckoff is not as snobby as other areas around there as well, but things have changed a lot in the recent economic "boom."

Do you want a more integrated community or one that has a large Jewish Population? Wyckoff, I believe, has a decent percentage and it's next to Fair Lawn which has a large Jewish community. I also believe there is a large Jewish population in the Washington Township area, they have a great YJCC there.

Other options may be Mahwah- Mahwah is LARGE but the section right next to Wyckoff is very much LIKE Wyckoff but you'd probably have less "snob" factor.

Wayne also used to have a good mix of religions that seemed to work harmoniously together, but I don't know that Wayne is as nice as it used to be.

[stmaarten]

Wyckoff and Allendale are both great towns. I have a few friends that moved to Allendale (from other parts of NJ), just for the public schools (Northern Highlands). Most of my family still lives in Wyckoff and they love it, although there is quite a bit of the "keeping up with the Joneses" thing going on there. They've learned to weed out the "idiots" and have made some great friends over the years.
You really can't go wrong with either town.
Good luck to you.

[NJfourLife]

If you're looking for a Jewish population, Wyckoff is NOT the town for you. I am speaking as a Jewish teen who lives in the town, and feels ostracized during the holidays. Both Allendale and Wyckoff have a snob factor, as Wyckoff students typically attend Ramapo High School, which is shared with Franklin Lakes. When your daughters are high school aged, and assuming you potentially move to Allendale, they'll be at Northern Highlands High School which is also regional and draws from Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Allendale, and Ho-Ho-Kus. As stated in a previous post, there is a large Jewish population in the Pascack section of Northeast Bergen county (Woodcliff Lake, Westwood, Washington Twp, Hillsdale, Montvale, etc.) Once your daughters are high school aged, they should also check out the local BBYO (B'nai B'rith Youth Organization) chapter nearest them.