Wayne vs Oakland (Paterson, Passaic, Hackensack: house, school district, colleges)

[USER876]

Our home search has been disappointing. Ideally, Pequannock or Pompton Plains would be best for us, but not a lot of homes get listed so it's hard to pick a house with such limited selection. Wayne, has a better selection of homes currently, and we found 2 we really liked but the taxes are killer. We expanded to Oakland and saw a few nice deals with lower taxes, but know little about the area/schools/flood areas. Any info would be appreciated.

[EEEPNJ]

Oakland.... better schools than Wayne. Nice town too. DOES have a flood area, there is a website My Oakland you can check that out. It tends to be pretty active. Also, Oakland is Bergen County which I think is better over all than Passaic County, which is what Wayne is in.

[MaverickDD]

Oakland - Bergen County (Hackensack)
Wayne - Passaic County (Paterson)
Pequannock (of which Pompton Plains is part of) - Morris County (Morristown)

Pequannock - I like the primary schools (proactive administration) and lower tax base of Morris County. But the high school is antiquated, leaving a lot to be desired.

Wayne - I dislike the size of Wayne and the fact that it's in Passaic County, the highest taxed county in the nation. Also, the transportation hassles within Wayne cannot be ignored. (Many perpetually potholed, overused, and narrow county roads.)

Oakland - better schools? It's debatable. My concern is the snootiness factor of the joint school district. As for schooling, I'd take middle class kids over rich kids any day.

All three towns have flood areas to watch out for.

[stevemorse]

No doubt Oakland, I just hung out with my friend who lives in Oakland, it was up the hill which is good no flooding and near Colonial Ave, which is Franklin Lakes. I hate Wayne, its become a hodge podge of areas, taxes thru the roof due to Passiac County Sherriff Department which has built themselves a palace!! It also is ticket and cop crazy. I really hate the traffic in Wayne too, out of control. Please Wayne really has no community feel just sections and a mess!!! Oakland is a great little town, upcoming, close to highways, and go up hill!!!!

[WayneGal]

Wayne was voted the safest city in the US by Money Magazine, I think in 2007, so if my taxes are going to pay for the so-called palace the sheriff's department built, great. I feel very safe here and my kids got a very good education and went on to graduate from 2 very good colleges. I feel like I got my money's worth. It IS a large city, not a small town, so if you're looking for "Mayberry", look past Wayne.

[Newarkbomb]

Wayne!
Oakland is overrated.. hogging up the weather channels local on the 8s when i live in Teaneck. LOL I kid

But on a serious note, Wayne is in a nicer location IMO, Oakland schools are better but Wayne's aren't even remote to be considered bad, and Wayne is like the Paramus of Passaic County, if you want to call it that.

[marye711]

I lived almost 20 years in Pequannock the high school stinks anymore, Wayne DOES have hgh taxes Oakland seems to be really nice ..........Good Luck!

[johnfrisco]

This is a no brainer, choose Wayne (without a doubt). Oakland has always been the wannbe town. "We are next to Franklin Lakes, but not as good as them." We are also next to Wayne, yet we still fall a little short."

The town has no identity, except for always being #2.

[izannimda]

Wayne = High Taxes, Flood Zone, Avg Schools
Oakland= High Taxes, Flood Zone, Avg Schools
Both towns are overrated and overinflated

[hikinman63]

i myself lived in oakland and loved it for the 12 yrs i was there ,in fact i still love it but cant afford it

in my opinion you wont go wrong with either town ,both will hold value for your home ,they are surrounded by other nice towns

i believe passaic county taxes are higher then bergen cnty

either way good luck ,i wish you and your family the best