Ok i'm finally going to decide among the three towns: River Vale, Harrington Park, and Norwood ... help (Lodi: best school)

[NEWJERSEY1]

I've eliminated Hillsdale, Lodi, Ridgefield Park, River Edge, etc. and I'm down to three of these towns. All three seem quiet and charming, but I don't know which town to choose. Which town has the best school system? The top five from most important to least important I'm looking is:

1) Safety.
2) Good School System
3) Friendly Neighbors
4) Diversity
5) Decent "Downtown" area, if you know what I mean.

[sweetpotato]

all are very safe. all have excellent schools, hp and norwood go to nvot hs, which is slightly better than pascack valley hs, where river vale goes. river vale might have more of a diversity balance, hp and norwood have a much higher % of asians. i think norwood's the only town that has a downtown.
i grew up but haven't lived in bergen county in years, so in my memory and humble opinion, i'd say from friendliest to least friendliest are river vale, hp then norwood. but that's not from an adult perspective.

[EEEPNJ]

Diversity in any of them is going to be pretty laughable. None are noted for their "downtowns" either. Neighbors...you won't know until you move in is the sad reality.

All 3 are safe and have good schools. They are really very similar. See where you can get the most bang for your buck....

[stevemorse]

Harrington Park!!!!! Hands down!