New to Ridgewood, New Jersey bergen county (Somerville: how much, homes)

[H & N Mom]

Hi

I have just moved from UK to Ridgewood New Jersey. I have 2 kids and was wondering if someone can throw some light on
1. Best preschools in ridgewood
2.We are planning to buy a home in Ridgewood and was wondering which areas of ridgewood are family friendly
3. Looks like ridgewood has good schools, the reason we moved here but is there any one particular elemantary school that is highly recommended.

THanks

[Mum2two]

Hi,
We will be relocating from London in summer!
Looking exactly for same sort of info as you!
Which school do you have in mind?
Our kids are 2 and 8years old boys.
Take care!











QUOTE=H & N Mom;22571100]Hi

I have just moved from UK to Ridgewood New Jersey. I have 2 kids and was wondering if someone can throw some light on
1. Best preschools in ridgewood
2.We are planning to buy a home in Ridgewood and was wondering which areas of ridgewood are family friendly
3. Looks like ridgewood has good schools, the reason we moved here but is there any one particular elemantary school that is highly recommended.

THanks[/quote]

[joe moving]

i think pretty much all of ridgewood is family friendly!

[Mightyqueen801]

What joe_moving said. You aren't going to find bad neighborhoods or bad schools in Ridgewood. Consider yourself blessed that you can afford to live in such a place and don't waste your time on minute details.

[Mum2two]

Guys,try to understand -I have never lived in US before so I am really looking for some constructive thoughts not just comments regarding who can afford what...

[Hal Jalikeakick]

agree that there is no bad area/ schools in Ridgewood. I spent the first 20+ years of my life there, and can say that it was a great place to be a kid (granted that was a long time ago) Here's my quick take on each school and surrounding neighborhood

West Side
Ridge - Overall wealthiest, some areas walkable to downtown and RW train
Willard - Close 2nd on wealth, closer to Ho Ho Kus downtown, many can walk to HHK train station
Orchard- 3rd westside school, not much I have to offer on this one

East Side
Somerville - beautiful old victorians, close to High School. best overall neighborhood on east side
Travell- good mix of homes, can walk to Graydon pool. Wilkes deli, best potato salad in the world.
Hawes - most affordable area in town, neighborhood called "the lawns". lots of post WWII housing small capes, spits etc. i think kids from the other side of route 17 go there now too (used to go to Glenn School)

[joe moving]

If you wanted to stay away from 1 area, it might be "the other side of 17" which is sort of segregated from the rest of Ridgewood . There is nothing wrong with it, other than that it is more of a drive than a walk to places.

[Mum2two]

Thanks a lot!
I have found somewhere that there is this school called Pingly that lots of British expats send their children to-any comments on that?
And one more called saddler river day school....
One more question-any suggestions regarding a good nursery for my younger one? One that would have a proper curriculum to follow ..
thanks again for all your comments!
Best regards from London!

[maryanne10]

Ridgewood has a top-notch school system...no need to waste your money on private school at that level. Use those dollars for cultural trips for the children to New York City museums and plays and ballets and musicals and pay for all kinds of lessons....music, sports, dance, drama. There's so much to do here. Your family will love it. Welcome!

[Mum2two]

Thanks Maryanne 10!
I was just going through Rigde school website.
Looks great! Do you have any clue if any of the schools mentioned have piano classes and if so how much it is ?
The educational system in UK is different .....so children tend to attend private/independent schools if possible.