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Sorry I didn't mean to offend anyone or imply that there aren't welcoming, educated, wonderful people in either community. I think MightyQueen nailed it - I just want somewhere where I can find some common ground and yes reading the New Yorker does provide some tidbits of information about your interests. Not to say if you don't read it, that it's a bad thing. Just want to end up somewhere where people are friendly, open-minded, and the way to fit in doesn't involve a private golf club/or being in the PTA (since I work full-time).
And seeing other communities (even ones that aren't my own) included or embraced, speaks volumes about whether they would choose to embrace or at least acknowledge Jewish traditions. In NYC, non-jewish friends would attend hanukkah parties/seders and we would then go to their xmas parties - it was a lovely dynamic that I'm just hoping to replicate in our new home.
Sorry I didn't mean to offend anyone or imply that there aren't welcoming, educated, wonderful people in either community. I think MightyQueen nailed it - I just want somewhere where I can find some common ground and yes reading the New Yorker does provide some tidbits of information about your interests. Not to say if you don't read it, that it's a bad thing. Just want to end up somewhere where people are friendly, open-minded, and the way to fit in doesn't involve a private golf club/or being in the PTA (since I work full-time).
And seeing other communities (even ones that aren't my own) included or embraced, speaks volumes about whether they would choose to embrace or at least acknowledge Jewish traditions. In NYC, non-jewish friends would attend hanukkah parties/seders and we would then go to their xmas parties - it was a lovely dynamic that I'm just hoping to replicate in our new home.
The two towns are close in size (RW approx 25K, Summit, approx 22K), and it stands to reason that not everyone is walking in lockstep with everyone else. You will find a mix of people in a population of that size, and you will find enough people like yourself with your interests and your outlook on life to be comfortable, I believe.
I think one thing you might notice is that in the last 2 years the demographics moving into certain towns have shifted a bit. Pre-pandemic people definitely went to the towns that fit whatever mold they were looking for, but now it's become more of a "take what you can find" mindset. My area (tenafly-demarest corridor)has definitely seen more folks from brooklyn, for example, moving in, whereas it was basically all UWS transplants for years before that.
Also this is ancient history but remember, eg, Ridgewood didn't even allow Jews until 50 years ago.
I think one thing you might notice is that in the last 2 years the demographics moving into certain towns have shifted a bit. Pre-pandemic people definitely went to the towns that fit whatever mold they were looking for, but now it's become more of a "take what you can find" mindset. My area (tenafly-demarest corridor)has definitely seen more folks from brooklyn, for example, moving in, whereas it was basically all UWS transplants for years before that.
Also this is ancient history but remember, eg, Ridgewood didn't even allow Jews until 50 years ago.
And the Bronx… Tenafly ‘bout to get lit when Cardi B and Blast Off move into their house…
If you want a legitimate reason to choose Summit over Ridgewood, I’ll give you one. BERGEN COUNTY BLUE LAWS.
To me it's the other way around.
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