Anyone live in Bergen County NJ or Pelham, NY area?

[Threehearts]

Since I'm a long-time DISer, I thought that I would post my question on this board in hopes of some much needed information. My husband took a job in Fort Lee , NJ three weeks ago and we(2kids, 7 and 8 and me) will be moving up in the next 6 months. Some employees live in the Bronxville, Pelham, etc. NY area while others live in Bergen county in area such as Ridgewood, Franklin Lakes and Saddle River. I have a special needs child and will need excellent public schools. I live in Maryland now, just 2 blocks from Washington DC and love the city access. Any ideas about where we should move? Thanks so much. Threehearts

 

[Griggle]

Hi!

I've lived in BC my whole life - and am currently in Mahwah (which I love btw). Any of the three towns that you have mentioned are wonderful places to live. In regards to education, year after year, the Ridgewood school system ranks among the best in the state. Ridgewood also has a defined "Town Center". Something the rest of the towns on your list really don't have. Yes, scattered shopping here and there - but nothing close to Ridgewood. All three towns have wonderful parks and recreational systems.

Commuting to FortLee from any of the three is as easy as two highways.

Commuting to the myriad of malls we have in the area is a breeze from all three too. LOL.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the three or even some of the surrounding towns - Wyckoff, Ho-Ho-Kus, Allendale, Woodcliff Lakes, Mahwah (of course) just to name a few!

Good luck with your decision and with the move.

 

[monkeyboy]

All I can say is if you live in NY, you must cross the George Washington Bridge to get to NJ (2x a day) and it can have major traffice problems.

Look in NJ

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by monkeyboy
All I can say is if you live in NY, you must cross the George Washington Bridge to get to NJ (2x a day) and it can have major traffice problems.

Look in NJ

Actually, that's incorrect. If you live in Rockland County (NY county), it's just like living in Bergen county, you just drive over the state line!!! I lived in Bergen county MANY years ago, and I was 3 when I moved out!!! I lived in Hoboken for 10 years, and used to go up to Bergen county to go to the aformentioned malls!!! Any of the towns mentioned above are GREAT, I'd personally give the edge to Ridgewood. It's a GREAT town, and one I'd think about living in!! I have friends who live in Ridgewood and love it, as well as Allendale. The houses are pretty pricey up there, so we live in Princeton. DH commutes in NYC from here, but it's definately not commutable to Fort Lee!!! Good luck!!

 

[Tony-NJ]

Hi! I lived in Pellham and worked in Bergen County for a while. Actually the trip over the George Washington Bridge isn't that bad because your going against traffic. I now live in Essex County and still work in Bergen County. I personally miss Westchester County. It would probably be easier to live in Bergen though. Good Luck!

 

[Kimberle]

My IL's live in Bronxville. It's a lovely area. Very very expensive though. Becareful to ask about schools if you buy a house there. Some Bronxville kids go to Yonkers schools. Yonkers is not a very good district (according to my dh who graduated there). Bronxville is nice because it is just 30 minutes from Grand Central Station.

 

[Threehearts]

Thanks, everyone. I love the idea of being a bit closer to NYC in the Pelham, Bronxville area but I know more about the Ridgewood etc., NJ towns. I'm looking on the internet and coming to the sad realization that both of these areas are much more expensive than Chevy Chase, where I live now. Keep any ideas coming in regards to schools. I especially love older homes and "walk to town" neighborhoods. Susan

 

[PamOKW]

Just adding my $.02 that living in New Jersey (or NY State on that side of the river) would be my first choice. Bronxville is nice but very expensive and, as mentioned, you have to pay close attention to where your home is located. If your husband isn't commuting into NYC for work, I'd try and stick with NJ. The areas you are talking about are lovely but also not inexpensive.

 

[danacara]

I'd look at Ridgewood, Teaneck, maybe Saddle River, maybe West Orange or Maplewood (especially if you love the town centers), and maybe Millburn if you think you can pull it off financially. All of those places have good schools, are near enough to Ft. Lee, and have a nice town-y feel to them ...

If you feel like you really need a larger home, might want to take a look at Passaic and Sussex Counties, but watch the school districts up there ... and Morris County is awesome, but since you'll pay the same kind of money to move there as you'd pay to move to say South Orange/Maplewood, you might as well move closer to the city ...

One thing to note is that Bergen, Essex and Morris have really fought off regionalization of the schools, so you see a lot of tiny school districts scattered around ... for example, Leonia, which is right next to Ft. Lee and actually a pretty decent town, has a tiny little high school ... this means it's not cost-effective for the town to educate special-needs in the district, so they'll oftentimes pay the private school tuition for those kids to attend a special school. There are actually really excellent private schools in NJ (Craig, Allegra) set up for special-needs, and the small public districts pay the tuition for the kids. It's cheaper and easier for Leonia to pay $30K and send the kid to private than to hire a teacher, an aide, and a social worker to support the kid as per his or her IEP. So you might want to ask around to find out which districts do this, it's a huge hidden benefit to living in northern NJ.

 

[danacara]

I'd look at Ridgewood, Teaneck, maybe Saddle River, maybe West Orange or Maplewood (especially if you love the town centers), and maybe Millburn if you think you can pull it off financially. All of those places have good schools, are near enough to Ft. Lee, and have a nice town-y feel to them ...

If you feel like you really need a larger home, might want to take a look at Passaic and Sussex Counties, but watch the school districts up there ... and Morris County is awesome, but since you'll pay the same kind of money to move there as you'd pay to move to say South Orange/Maplewood, you might as well move closer to the city ...

One thing to note is that Bergen, Essex and Morris have really fought off regionalization of the schools, so you see a lot of tiny school districts scattered around ... for example, Leonia, which is right next to Ft. Lee and actually a pretty decent town, has a tiny little high school ... this means it's not cost-effective for the town to educate special-needs in the district, so they'll oftentimes pay the private school tuition for those kids to attend a special school. There are actually really excellent private schools in NJ (Craig, Allegra) set up for special-needs, and the small public districts pay the tuition for the kids. It's cheaper and easier for Leonia to pay $30K and send the kid to private than to hire a teacher, an aide, and a social worker to support the kid as per his or her IEP. So you might want to ask around to find out which districts do this, it's a huge hidden benefit to living in northern NJ.

 

[jetsetter90]

Hi,

I live in Pelham. I can tell you that between Pelham & Bronxville the houses are expesive and so are the taxes. I've lived in Pelham for aprox 23 years. Moved here with parents and now live here with my family. It is a small town near the shore. There are actually 2 villages in Pelham, Pelham Manor and the village of Pelham. Pelham Manor residents have rights to a park along the shore. You can checkout the schools at www.pelhamschools.org and also go to our weekly newspaper at www.pelhamweekly.com.

Bronxville schools are ranked higer than Pelham but Pelham is in the top percentile. I have to say though that Pelham doesn't offer any afterschool programs but does have summer camp.

Commuting would be about the same as we are only about 10 min apart. We don't drive through the Bronx to get to the GW bridge but take the Saw Mill which leads us to the entrance of the Bridge.

If you have any specific questions please ask.

TTFN

Jetsetter90

 

[Griggle]

I'm looking on the internet and coming to the sad realization that both of these areas are much more expensive than Chevy Chase, where I live now.

You Betcha! Not only that - in most of these towns in Upper BC(except Mahwah - Woodcliff Lake is also extremely reasonable) the taxes are VERY high. Ridgewood taxes are pretty out of this world, IMHO. I'll bet you that a "starter home" in Ridgewood on a small lot would cost you in the neighborhood of $500,000 - and have taxes in the area of $8-$10,000 if not more. No industry and paying for those schools.

Some more towns with older, quaint homes not mentioned yet to add to your list:

Oradell
WestWood
Closter
Englewood
Dumont

 

[AspiringCindy]

You may want to try Midland Park and Waldwick in Bergen County! They are next to Ridgewood and are a lot more affordable! Also Midland Park is a "Blue Ribbon School District"!

 

[JerseyJanice]

The price of real estate in Bergen County has shot through the roof over the past few years.

I hope you're prepared to pay at least $300,000 for a home, as I think that's about the minimum you'd have to pay for something livable in BC.

I have no idea what houses go for in Pelham/Bronxville, but if you buy there, your husband will be spending $$$ in tolls just to commute. Something to factor in, for sure.

All this said, I'd look at Ridgefield, Bergen County. It has an excellent school system and lower taxes than most of the county (thanks to the power having a plant there--don't worry--it's on the outskirts of town--you won't see or hear it). I'm told that Rutherford is a good town these days as well--good schools and older, smaller houses that don't go for too much $$$ (because they're old and small LOL).

 

[ToyStory Fan]

If you have a special needs child you may want to look into White Plains, they have alot more in the way of programs and schooling avaialble for special needs. They also benefit from ALOT of industry and retail space to share the tax burden, so the homeowners get relief. I lived there for approx 20 years, it is a great community area that can play to both sides of small town and big city lifestyles. It is only about 10 miles north of Pelham.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

Just about ANY county in NJ is pretty expensive these days. But NJ is a great place to live.

I believe Maplewood/South Orange schools have some special programs for special needs. It's a lovely area too.

 

[Threehearts]

We just sold our home here in 4 days for 1.2 million dollars but are being shown unremodeled 3 BR ranches in the Ridgewood area for 900K. We want to pay not more than 750-800K as my husband is leaving a failed start-up to work for another start-up(high risk). Thanks so much for all of the super advice. Susan

 

[Pin Wizard]

Bergen County...quite an expensive area if I remember correctly. I grew up in Morris Conty on the border of Passaic County. GREAT area. Awesome high school! Now I hear horror stories from classmates of what the homes are selling for there now! I could never afford to move back. Not that I would want to do it! Just LOVE where I recently moved to! My sister used to live in Teaneck. Nice area. A former boss had a townhouse in Mahwah. She was happy there many years until she finally moved to PA to be near her kids and grandkids. Good luck!

 

[AspiringCindy]

Threehearts, I PM(ed) you!

 

[Threehearts]

Judie,
I PM'd you back but your mailbox is full. Thanks for the tip. Susan

Jetsetter90- I PM'd you. Thanks. Susan