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Englewood and Ridgewood are the standard answers for good reason.
IMO the big difference between the two of them is density: Englewood's downtown is a lot denser than Ridgewood's. In large part due to this, Englewood is nicer once you're on foot and walking around, but the parking is substantially worse so going to Ridgewood is an overall better experience.
As an aside, Saigon (formerly one of the best restaurants in Englewood) isn't dead for anyone who misses it - just moved to Tenafly and for whatever asinine reason decided that it would be a good idea to put a sign up as "Vietnamese Restaurant" rather than as "Saigon." Funny enough, I spoke to the owner/manager a while back while eating there and the main reason they relocated was the paucity of parking in Englewood.
Englewood and Ridgewood are the standard answers for good reason.
IMO the big difference between the two of them is density: Englewood's downtown is a lot denser than Ridgewood's. In large part due to this, Englewood is nicer once you're on foot and walking around, but the parking is substantially worse so going to Ridgewood is an overall better experience.
As an aside, Saigon (formerly one of the best restaurants in Englewood) isn't dead for anyone who misses it - just moved to Tenafly and for whatever asinine reason decided that it would be a good idea to put a sign up as "Vietnamese Restaurant" rather than as "Saigon." Funny enough, I spoke to the owner/manager a while back while eating there and the main reason they relocated was the paucity of parking in Englewood.
Yeah, I have friends in that part of the county (well, friend in the singular now, the rest have moved), so I'm familiar with it. Englewood is even worse. I usually just park further out (the spots on Dean across from John Harms) rather than stressing about finding something on or closer to Palisades.
The public indoor lot that was built a while back was a good short term solution, but, it got more popular and either someone took it private or the town decided to use it as a revenue driver rather than an amenity for local businesses, because the last time I was about to go there they had switched from reasonable/timed prices to a $5 flat fee, which really isn't acceptable in the suburbs.
The nicest downtown in Bergen IMO is Ridgewood as it also has a walkable extension on the Maple Ave stretch that goes North into HoHokus or South into Glen Rock. For a suburb, that's as much walking with access to shopping/restaurants, etc., that you'll ever need.
Having lived in Rutherford, the downtown is ok but it's mostly salons and some ok restaurants (although cafe matisse is one of the best in the state IMO) but there is no real connection to other towns for the same type of feel. FYI - Rutherford is a dry town.
I like Westwood more than Ramsey as far as a more of an urban experience. i will say though, Westwood never seems to be a very lively town. Meaning, they have the downtown, the sidewalks, etc., but I don't really see too many people, families walking about, etc.
Fort Lee and Paliades park has nice downtown areas. Palisades Park is made up of mostly Korean restaurants and Korean owned businesses. Fort Lee has a small downtown but the closing of Borders has hurt it the area.
I do like Englewoods downtown. I always found a place to park on the street.
Englewood and Ridgewood are the standard answers for good reason.
IMO the big difference between the two of them is density: Englewood's downtown is a lot denser than Ridgewood's. In large part due to this, Englewood is nicer once you're on foot and walking around, but the parking is substantially worse so going to Ridgewood is an overall better experience.
As an aside, Saigon (formerly one of the best restaurants in Englewood) isn't dead for anyone who misses it - just moved to Tenafly and for whatever asinine reason decided that it would be a good idea to put a sign up as "Vietnamese Restaurant" rather than as "Saigon." Funny enough, I spoke to the owner/manager a while back while eating there and the main reason they relocated was the paucity of parking in Englewood.
How do you get Englewood being more dense? Seems similar to me.
I concur about Englewood and Ridgewood. Ridgewood seems to win every time in terms of schools and downtown. Ridgewood has it all...except...well...you have a lot of "high strung" "high maintenance" types so if seeing that doesn't bother you then Ridgewood is the place to be.
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