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More like the right side of the tracks, just not as right as the west side of the tracks
Honest question from a person considering a whole host of towns in NJ including Ridgewood: Is it the ENTIRE area east of the tracks or a certain area? Bc looking on a map, MOST of Ridgewood is east of those train tracks.
Honest question from a person considering a whole host of towns in NJ including Ridgewood: Is it the ENTIRE area east of the tracks or a certain area? Bc looking on a map, MOST of Ridgewood is east of those train tracks.
No, and thank you for pointing that out. It was a ridiculous statement.
This area they are referring to runs along one portion of the tracks outside of the business district. South Broad Street is the main road of this area.
It is a section of town where traditionally the African-American residents of Ridgewood have lived going back more than 100 years. The homes are smaller and the area is less affluent. There is an A.M.E. Zion Church. One of my old high school teachers lived there, the only black teacher in our school in the 1970s. It is not an unsafe area. There are no gangs shooting one another. You can walk down Broad Street and not get mugged. It is simply the least expensive section of Ridgewood, and mostly black people live there.
No, and thank you for pointing that out. It was a ridiculous statement.
This area they are referring to runs along one portion of the tracks outside of the business district. South Broad Street is the main road of this area.
It is a section of town where traditionally the African-American residents of Ridgewood have lived going back more than 100 years. The homes are smaller and the area is less affluent. There is an A.M.E. Zion Church. One of my old high school teachers lived there, the only black teacher in our school in the 1970s. It is not an unsafe area. There are no gangs shooting one another. You can walk down Broad Street and not get mugged. It is simply the least expensive section of Ridgewood, and mostly black people live there.
It seems like a lot of the Ridgewood folks are going to be a little more snooty than your average Joes. Is there a neighborhood close (within an hour, hour fifteen mins to NYC) that has more friendly people? Like not so much a competitive neighborhood where living on the literal wrong side of the tracks is even a thing?
It seems like a lot of the Ridgewood folks are going to be a little more snooty than your average Joes. Is there a neighborhood close (within an hour, hour fifteen mins to NYC) that has more friendly people? Like not so much a competitive neighborhood where living on the literal wrong side of the tracks is even a thing?
If you want Bergen County, try the Pascack Valley Line towns.
It seems like a lot of the Ridgewood folks are going to be a little more snooty than your average Joes. Is there a neighborhood close (within an hour, hour fifteen mins to NYC) that has more friendly people? Like not so much a competitive neighborhood where living on the literal wrong side of the tracks is even a thing?
I have driven through Ridgewood, and yes it is stunning. I love all that is has to offer and the schools are top notch. I guess my concern is with the community. Where I live now both children and parents have an "include everyone" approach and then let people decide if they want to keep up with those friendships or continue to be active in social groups. I do not want to move my kids into an "exclusive" type of environment. I am a very confident women who enjoys being very social and having fun friends but I do not want to waste my time with a community of people who are exclusive and rude because of their own issues. I also have taught my kids to be confident in themselves and their achievements and kindness. I would highly dislike a negative influence on their strong foundation. If you can tell me that yes, Ridgewood is wealthy but also socially mature and grounded then that would help me make my decision. I don't pay attention to the reputation of town names, but I do appreciate a wonderful downtown area with fun to be around people and kind kids who will welcome my very friendly children with open arms. And my husband really wants a great commute into NYC....Haha.. Thanks again for any truthful and to the point responses!!! We are looking at Glen Rock, Allendale and Ho Ho Kus now as well!!!
Last edited by MomofThree2014; 03-11-2016 at 02:18 PM..
I have driven through Ridgewood, and yes it is stunning. I love all that is has to offer and the schools are top notch. I guess my concern is with the community. Where I live now both children and parents have an "include everyone" approach and then let people decide if they want to keep up with those friendships or continue to be active in social groups. I do not want to move my kids into an "exclusive" type of environment. I am a very confident women who enjoys being very social and having fun friends but I do not want to waste my time with a community of people who are exclusive and rude because of their own issues. I also have taught my kids to be confident in themselves and their achievements and kindness. I would highly dislike a negative influence on their strong foundation. If you can tell me that yes, Ridgewood is wealthy but also socially mature and grounded then that would help me make my decision. I don't pay attention to the reputation of town names, but I do appreciate a wonderful downtown area with fun to be around people and kind kids who will welcome my very friendly children with open arms. And my husband really wants a great commute into NYC....Haha.. Thanks again for any truthful and to the point responses!!! We are looking at Glen Rock, Allendale and Ho Ho Kus now as well!!!
I have taken the liberty of bolding and underlining parks of your above quote. The first part -- you can find that in any community, anywhere. Any community to move into will have some people who have this mentality, regardless of the reason(s)Anyone who says that is specific and a prevalent part of Ridgewood is wrong, misinformed or uneducated.
The second part -- same as above. Negative influences -- drinking, drugs, morals, values, ethics, etc., can be found in the poorest of neighborhoods, the wealthiest, ethnic, race, religious, etc.
The third part -- yes, I can state that Ridgewood, for the most part, is that. Again, see above. Whatever community you select, there will be a bad apple, or a few. But that is NOT representative of the entire community and that is absolutely NOT representative of Ridgewood. It is a wonderful community.
Fourth -- yes, without question. I am sure there is a nasty kid in Ridgewood. I am sure there are a few. And I can say the same thing about every community.
Given the towns you've listed -- based upon the metrics you've referenced -- I would rank Ridgewood first, Allendale and Ho Ho Kus tied second, and then Glen Rock.
No, and thank you for pointing that out. It was a ridiculous statement.
This area they are referring to runs along one portion of the tracks outside of the business district. South Broad Street is the main road of this area.
It is a section of town where traditionally the African-American residents of Ridgewood have lived going back more than 100 years. The homes are smaller and the area is less affluent. There is an A.M.E. Zion Church. One of my old high school teachers lived there, the only black teacher in our school in the 1970s. It is not an unsafe area. There are no gangs shooting one another. You can walk down Broad Street and not get mugged. It is simply the least expensive section of Ridgewood, and mostly black people live there.
This. Ridgewood is around 1-2 percent black, so it's not even like its a significant part of town. The notion that any area of Ridgewood is unsafe is comical.
OP: both Ramsey and Ridgewood are great towns with amazing schools. They are very similar and you really can't go wrong with raising a family in either. I'd also look at any of the towns that feed into Northern Highlands (generally even a better hs than Ridgewood or Ramsey).
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