Community pool? River Edge, NJ (Passaic, Hackensack: appointed, big house, neighborhoods)

[TeresaMike]

My family are thinking of relocating to Bergen County in the next year. We are very interested in finding a neighborhood with a good community pool (as well as nice community, good schools, lovely neighbors, all for around 550K, give or take - the usual ). River Edge seems like it might be a good choice for us so far (although we are still open), but I could only find information regarding River Edge Swim Club when I searched for a community pool there. Does anyone know anything about it? When I went to the website, it seemed like there was a long waiting list for full time members (with not much information about cost, etc), and some very restrictive alternative membership plans for those who were not full time members. Is there a different pool? Does the waiting list have a ridiculously long wait?

PS - I think this forum is fantastic, and I've been obsessively reading it to glean information regarding all the neighborhoods in Bergen and Passaic Counties - thank so much to all contributors!

[EEEPNJ]

Hi - if a community pool is a big consern I would not go to River Edge. The pool is nice, but nothing to write home about. BUT the main consern is that you don't get the right to be a member right away, there is a big waiting list. When your number is up, you may not get a "full" membership (where you can go anytime, including weekends) but a "partial" membership (where you can only go on weekdays.) And honnestly, it's really not that great of a swim club.

The Paramus Pool was very nice, but it was closed all season this year because of contamination. That should be fixed and opened next year.

New Milford has a pool too - have not been there but heard it is nice. Maywood also has a town pool.

The nicest town pools I've seen locally are Glen Rock and Hillsdale. Ridgewood is decent too and you can also join Graydon Park - a small lake in town - that is open to residents only.

In Wyckoff you can join the Y and they also have a beach and an indoor pool.

Keep in mind that many towns will let you join the pool (at a higher rate, of course) if you are not a resident. But RE does not allow this as there is a waiting list for the pool.

Let me know if I can help you furhter.

[TeresaMike]

Thank you so much! What you posted was definitely the impression I got from looking at the website. I know we would be able to join the New Providence pool (where my sister-in-law lives), so it would not be a huge concern I guess if we couldn't join - it wasn't worth it from where we live now (Bronx), but would be if we were in NJ. But I liked the idea of the pool being in the same neighborhood - seeing your neighbors, more of a community feeling, etc.

I don't want to rule out a neighborhood based on pool alone! From what I've heard, River Edge is a nice town to live in (small community kind of feeling?, good schools). I was thinking a lot about Paramus too (lower taxes, still good schools), but I was concerned that there wouldn't be as much of a neighborly kind of feeling to it. Also, my husband checked out open houses yesterday, and said that the houses didn't have great backyards. We aren't looking for an absurdly huge lot, but I would like to have a real backyard for the kids (and us) to play in.

Thanks again,
Teresa

[FromDaSack]

River Edge is really nice, but it went from mid-class to wealthy class in a matter of 40 years. (my mom lived there through-out her middle school and high school years).
I would say it's a good choice, the kids would go to Oradell HS if they were in HS.

But speaking of Paramus, there's more of a choice in Paramus,, NICE properties, better then River Edge (meaning by the yard space).
Many parks and shopping.. and im not sure about a community pool, but i would assume so

Also has really low property taxes, but thats when you compare it to Bergen county.

Also you're right about the neighborly feeling, Paramus is spaced out and big.. but there is a lot in Paramus, and there is sections of closeness.. like around the Rochelle Park area. But all the neighborly feelings of towns don't have much of a yard in Bergen County or its multi family homes.. but im not saying you can't can't find a place with a yard... im just saying you will have to look harder here if you want a town of closeness.

[Unknown Memory]

Originally Posted by EEEPNJ

The Paramus Pool was very nice, but it was closed all season this year because of contamination. That should be fixed and opened next year.

Can be nice, but pre-contamination days, I remember a small area of mosquito eggs floating in the corner of the pool from a few years back. I just hope, with the new pool, the management can be more alert when cleaning the pool.

As for those who don't know what's in the Paramus Pool, it consists of a big pool (with high end and shallow), a kiddie pool, a snack bar, a picnic bench area, and a small library rack where you can borrow books off the rack to read on the grassy areas. There is a physical activity games area beyond the kiddie pool. With the new pool though, I think they're adding a slide.

[EEEPNJ]

River Edge is a lovely town, I like it very much. Schools are K-5 and then they go to River Dell Middle School and HS which is shared w/ Oradell. There has been controversy as of late with taxation issues, Oradell claiming they pay a higher share for the schools, but I only know of it in passing. It is a nice community though.

Paramus is nice too, but does not have a real community feel... there is no center of town, it's very "spread out." It's reputation is low tax for Bergen County - and comparitavely it may still be - but it's been the center of MANY scandals lately and they are going to cost the town dearly. Taxes have been going up - a friend has 2 properties in town and they have jumped a bit as of late.

There are many other nice little towns in the area. Are you planning to buy or rent? What is your budget, let us know and we can help out!

[TeresaMike]

We are planning to buy, and I think we'll be able to afford a house of $550K. I really have to do a little more research into that (how to figure out based on what we are selling, what more we can put down, income, etc). We are solidly middle class income (teacher/writer, and speech-language pathologist). Bergen County seems perfect proximity to hubby's family in NJ, and mine in NYC/Long Island. The kids are in pre-school, and I'd love to find a place where the kids could happily go to school from Kindergarten to high school, and live close enough to school to live close to friends, and be able to participate in all the fun high school stuff like drama, band, sports, etc. I'd like to have a nice back yard with a little sun (I'm so tired of planting nothing but hostas!). And I'd love some of the little things that you get when you move to the suburbs, like access to a nice community pool. The neighborhood in the Bronx we live in now has a nice friendly atmosphere, and everyone knows each other, and we can walk to everything, but I know I probably won't get that when I move (but I'll miss it!). I've been reading a lot of the old posts regarding all the neighborhoods we've been hearing about, and have a list of towns based on some of the lists. I can't remember what they are right now though.

Thanks for everything!
Teresa

[EEEPNJ]

Ironically, you and your husband are the 3 careers I WANTED to be (teacher, writer, speech-language pathologist!) That's so ironic!

River Edge is a nice community - and it could fit your bill. There are others. Just expect to be a little disappointed with what $550k can buy - even in today's market.

Where will you be commuting to for work, that's always a consideration.

[Unknown Memory]

Originally Posted by EEEPNJ

Paramus is nice too, but does not have a real community feel... there is no center of town, it's very "spread out."

Despite having no downtown, we do with what we have. Paramus is a huge town so thus, our community does appear pretty spread out. The west side of the town has the pool, Dunkerhook, and the golf course. The east side has the parade routes, the county park & zoo, the police station, recycling center, and borough hall. For most young adults, teens and pre-teens, the Garden State Plaza is their downtown. (While Paramus Park is the family orienated place.)

Um, the Paramus school system is pretty good (with good and so-so teachers). I just wish we had another high school because there are a lot of students mixed from both Westbrook and Eastbrook. Paramus High School went through a recent renovation. Oh, and there's a lot of Asian people (mostly Korean) living around Paramus. Me included (although, I'm not Korean).

Teresa, there are plenty of good towns in Bergen County. Some of them might not be in your range but I'm sure you'll find a town worthy of what you're looking for. As EEEP recommended, River Edge might be good for you. Also, try looking at houses in Oradell. Ridgewood has a very nice downtown and a train station too. Probably, one of the best downtowns that I've seen in the country. The houses though, seem to vary and are pretty much up there.

Some of the towns in Bergen County have definitely turned from middle class to upper middle class. (Then, there are the rich towns like Franklin Lakes and Wyckoff have pretty preeetty big houses so definitely not in your range. But, they are very nice towns to visit once in awhile.)

[FromDaSack]

Yea everything being told s all right. Maywood is nice to.. i think some of the homes have a pretty big yard.. Maywood has a really nice downtown area too.. i go from Hackensack to Maywood just to eat pizza on Pleasant Ave. and got to Krauzers at night hah. Maywood has its own schools K-8th but they go to Hackensack for Hs, and it's a good school, i go there.

Look this 3bdroom nice yard has a pool already.. Maywood 389,900
http://www.realtor.com/search/listin...rcnt=42#Detail

Lodi and Garfield.. probably the worst school systems in bergen county but they're nice towns.. just for a heads up