Bergen County offers some of the most attractive towns to live in New Jersey, but for newcomers and even people familiar with the Garden State, the sheer number of options can be daunting. While the all-around excellent school systems, transportation, shopping, cultural diversity, recreational opportunities, and proximity to New York City mean that no Bergen County town will disappoint, some towns may be better fits than others depending on a family’s needs. With more than one million people living in 70 municipalities in the most populous county in New Jersey, it is important to understand what makes Bergen County towns different from each other in order to make the happiest choice.
Despite their shared excellence, every Bergen County community offers special qualities that distinguish it, beginning with the size and tone of the town. Some communities, such as Fort Lee and Englewood, buzz with the energy of nearby New York City, while other towns, like Tenafly and Closter, exude the coziness of suburbs. Still other towns, like Alpine and Demarest, seem like quiet escapes with small populations in the middle of the busy New York Metropolitan area. Families that plan to move to Bergen County should decide in advance what feeling of town interests them.
Schools are a priority consideration for many families that chose to move to Bergen County. The county offers public schools, private and religious schools, some nationally recognized, which give students individualized attention from excellent teachers and help with admission to top colleges, including the Ivy League. Certain schools are known for the strength of particular programs, such as music or science, and parents may wish to move in order for their child to be close to a particular school. For parents who children are grown, schools may be less of a consideration.
More and more, in a world of tight schedules, transportation resources and commuting options matter to Bergen County families. Any town will provide residents convenient access to major roads like the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike and Palisades Interstate Parkway, but for non-drivers, the degree of public transportation varies depending on the town. Commuters to New York City should look for a town with a train station, frequent bus service, ferry service, or easy access to connections like the George Washington Bridge.
Shopping plays a major role in Bergen County, but residents can choose whether or not they want to live in a town surrounded by stores. Almost every town offers basic shopping options such as a grocery store and pharmacy, and many towns feature a town center with more extensive amenities and even interesting boutiques. The true shopper will want to consider whether to live near one of the large malls for which New Jersey is known, such as the Westfield Garden State Plaza.
United in their ability to offer residents the good life, Bergen County towns display differences in size, schools, transportation, and services that warrant consideration. While any town would be a great choice, thinking about your family?s needs in advance ensures that the town you select will be the most perfect match.