Tell me about Hohokus... (Englewood, Paramus: homes, good schools, taxes)

[Will's mom]

We have been considering Glen Rock/Ridgewood as potential places to move in Bergen county. (like the school systems, towns, etc.)

How does Hohokus compare?

Thanks!

[BobKovacs]

It's about twice the price (or thereabouts).

[Marc Paolella]

Hi WM,

Ho-Ho-Kus is a gem of an area. The schools are a top selling point. They are really good. It is an excellent alternative to Ridgewood or Glen Rock. However it does not have a downtown like Ridgewood. It is more of a quiet bedroom community. Which is also an asset in a sense. Much less traffic, easier access to Route 17.

Ridgewood can be a grind on a Saturday morning. Lots of seemingly impatient people darting about. Not a lot of smiles.

Ho-Ho-Kus offers a smaller community feel and is a bit friendlier.

However, if you want the downtown and the shops you can always drive there. I'll take the peace and quiet of Ho-Ho-Kus over the hustle and bustle of Ridgewood/Glen Rock. Also, from Ho-Ho-kus you are a bit closer to the Paramus shopping megaplex. I'm not sure if megaplex is a word, but it sounded correct in that context.

If I had attended Ho-Ho-Kus schools, I'm sure I would have gotten that right in the first place.

-Marc

[zhelder]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

It's about twice the price (or thereabouts).

C'mon. It's a bit more expensive, but it's not "twice the price" of Ridgewood or Glen Rock (which themselves are very expensive).

It's a small town, very nice. Schools are most likely comparable to Ridgewood's. (Glen Rock's schools are outstanding too, but the town/schools are a hair less prestigious than those of the other towns.) Wish I could afford to live in any of the three towns!

Of the three towns, Glen Rock is the "cheapest", but not by a whole lot. The affluence of Glen Rock has skyrocketed over the past decade (and it was pretty snazzy to begin with) and is just about on par with Ridgewood these days.

[Marc Paolella]

Actually pricing is comparable to Ridgewood and Glen Rock

2008 Median Home Prices

Ridgewood: $710,000
Ho-Ho-Kus: $655,000
Glen Rock: $551,000

[Newarkbomb]

Ho-Ho-Kus has beautiful properties and has a really good school system. The one flaw is (like someone already mentioned) its just a town with practically all residential properties.. It has no nice little downtown.

But i would say Ridgewood and Glenrock would be better. Glen Rock more than Ridgewood.

Allendale is simaler to Ho-Ho-kus but it has that little downtown area which is a plus, but i think it's a lot more expensive, im not too sure on that. You should check it out. Ramsey is another good one too, nice downtown area and good schools.

[Marc Paolella]

2008 Median Home Values

Allendale: $765,000
Ramsey: $620,000

I wouldn't worry about living in a municipality with a downtown. It's such a short drive to any number of downtowns in that area of Bergen County. Almost nobody walks to downtown anymore.

And Ramsey does have good schools, however Ho-Ho-Kus and Ridgewood are a definite cut above in that department.

[pbergen]

as everyone has already stated, ho-ho-kus is a prestigious town with beautiful homes and top-notch schools. it's pricey but worth it if it's within your budget.

i have to disagree with one point made here, though:
ho-ho-kus does, in fact, have a small downtown area located just east of the train station. from ridgewood, drive north along n. maple ave until you cross the border into ho-ho-kus, where you'll see some of the local shops. then turn left onto franklin turnpike or go north on sheridan ave to see the rest of the business district.

ho-ho-kus has a couple of nice restaurants plus a few shops offering basic everyday goods and services. it may not seem like much, but in reality it's plenty for a town of its size. it's also more low-key than ridgewood's downtown, with far less hype and vehicular/pedestrian traffic. at the same time, ridgewood is only a few minutes away, so you can always stop by if ho-ho-kus doesn't have all of the shops you need.

[zhelder]

Originally Posted by pbergen

as everyone has already stated, ho-ho-kus is a prestigious town with beautiful homes and top-notch schools. it's pricey but worth it if it's within your budget.

i have to disagree with one point made here, though:
ho-ho-kus does, in fact, have a small downtown area located just east of the train station. from ridgewood, drive north along n. maple ave until you cross the border into ho-ho-kus, where you'll see some of the local shops. then turn left onto franklin turnpike or go north on sheridan ave to see the rest of the business district.

ho-ho-kus has a couple of nice restaurants plus a few shops offering basic everyday goods and services. it may not seem like much, but in reality it's plenty for a town of its size. it's also more low-key than ridgewood's downtown, with far less hype and vehicular/pedestrian traffic. at the same time, ridgewood is only a few minutes away, so you can always stop by if ho-ho-kus doesn't have all of the shops you need.

I was going to mention this area, but thought I might get flamed for classifying it as a "downtown". It's a small area, but there are a few nice restaurants and shops there. And there IS almost always parking, unlike in Ridgewood, Ramsey, Westwood, Englewood, and the other major suburban downtowns in Bergen County.

I would LOVE to live in Ho-Ho-Kus. (Or Ramsey, or Allendale, or Glen Rock. I did live in Ridgewood for a while, and I would have NO problem returning there either!) If I had my choice, honestly, Ho-Ho-Kus would probably be my first choice. It really is nice.

[Will's mom]

Thanks for the input. Glen Rock seems to be cheaper, but their taxes are as much or even more than Ridgewood's! We are ruling out the towns of Ramsey and Allendale due to there longer commute from the city. We will check Hohokus out!