Best Places to Live & Move to in Northern NJ
New Jersey may not be a big state, but each part of the Garden State differs in many ways. Whether it be views, employment opportunities, school districts, or safety, each region of NJ brings a different vibe. For example, Northern NJ offers a great balance of big cities and small towns that have many unique characteristics.
The best places to live and move to in Northern NJ include Edgewater, Hawthorne, and Fair Haven. Each of these boroughs, cities, and towns has low crime rates and high homeownership rates. Ridgewood, Bayonne, Montclair, and Wayne are also great places to live, and they boast great housing and employment opportunities.
Choosing the right community in Northern NJ comes down to your taste, budget, and job. Follow along as we explore the best places to live and move to in Northern NJ.
What Are the Best Places to Live in Northern New Jersey?
1. Edgewater
Edgewater is one of the safest places to live in Bergen County and New Jersey overall. For example, the violent crime rate in Edgewater is 1/4th the violent crime rate for the state. As of the last census, only 14,336 people live in Edgewater, NJ, making it a small and quiet community.
Close to NYC, there are many great jobs in both Edgewater and the Big Apple alike. The employment rate in Edgewater is 70.1% and the median household income is $136,806. Edgewater is home to great restaurants, parks, and waterfront views of the Hudson River.
While Edgewater is one of the best places to live in Northern NJ, it’s also quite expensive. That’s why the local homeownership rate is only 42.3%. However, the median home value of $604,443 spans a wide range of property values in Edgewater.
2. Hawthorne
Located in Passaic County, Hawthorne, is a safe and comfortable borough in Northern New Jersey. The crime rate in Hawthorne, NJ is lower than 58% of cities and towns in the state. A tight-knit community, Hawthorne is home to just under 20,000 residents.
The 68% employment rate and median household income of $105,168 suggest that Hawthorne is an affluent community. Hawthorne is home to great views of Orange Mountain and Garret Mountain which are hard to beat. Over half of the residents in Hawthorne own their homes.
The median gross rent cost is $1,746, which is quite affordable for Northern New Jersey. Hawthorne offers a comfortable small-town vibe with scenic views, great schools, and affordable housing.
3. Fair Haven
Fair Haven is a small Northern New Jersey borough with an affluent population. White collar workers make up nearly 97% of the workforce in Fair Haven. That makes sense when you consider that the median household income is $229,643.
The homeownership rate in Fair Haven is 92.8%, which is higher than most cities, towns, and boroughs in NJ. That is quite high, even if the population in Fair Haven is only 6,269. Fair Haven is 52 miles from Manhattan, which provides enough space away from the excitement of NYC while not being too far away.
4. Ridgewood
Ridgewood has one of the highest homeownership rates in Northern NJ at 83%. That is a strong indicator that it’s one of the best places to live in the region. Such a high homeownership rate is rare in New Jersey, and the state’s homeownership rate is 63%.
The strong economy in Ridgewood has a lot to do with this. After all, the median household income in Ridgewood is $211,224 as of the last census. Ridgewood is a great place to live for New Jersey residents looking to start a family.
For example, Ridgewood is known for its outstanding schools, some of which are considered historic. As Bergen County movers, we frequently help our customers to Ridgewood and neighboring cities like Tenafly.
5. Bayonne
Not only is Bayonne comfortable and calm, but it also boasts a lower crime rate than the national average. Bayonne is also relatively small compared to other Northern NJ cities with a population of 79,686. This small city is spread across 11.2 square miles, but it luckily doesn’t feel overcrowded.
The less than 30,000 housing units in Bayonne reflects the fact that many of these homes house families. Relatively quiet and safe, Bayonne is a great place to raise a family in Northern New Jersey. Despite the high median household income, Bayonne only has a 32.8% homeownership rate.
Bayonne is a popular destination for New Jersey residents who work in New York City because of how close it is. Located in Hudson County, Bayonne isn’t far from other Northern NJ cities like Jersey City and Hoboken.
6. Montclair
Northeastern New Jersey is home to a few great communities, but few are as welcoming as Montclair. With great views of the Watchung Mountains, you are constantly surrounded by beauty in Montclair. This provides a nice break from the excitement of the excitement of New York City which isn’t too far.
Montclair is a relatively affluent township with a median household income of $158,765. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the employment rate in Montclair is just over 68%. It’s easy to see why so many people move to Montclair between the employment opportunities and great housing options.
Quiet and comfortable, Montclair is close enough to the excitement of NYC that you can easily drive there. Housing costs are relatively high with a median gross rent of $1,987. However, the homeownership rate in Montclair is 60.1%, so most residents own their homes.
7. Wayne
Wayne, NJ is a small township in Passaic County that spans a mere 23.7 square miles. The small-town feel of Wayne is part of its appeal despite the moderate population of 54,838 people. Wayne is a popular destination for NJ residents who commute to NYC as it’s only 24.5 miles away.
A safe community, there are fewer crimes per square mile in Wayne than in New Jersey overall. The crime rate in Wayne is low, and there’s only a 1 in 981 chance of falling victim to a violent crime. That is much lower than the 1 in 493 chance of suffering a violent crime throughout New Jersey.
Just over 77% of Wayne residents own their homes, which is higher than the homeownership rate in Passaic County. Considering that housing costs are high in Wayne, NJ, that suggests that the population is quite privileged. This has a lot to do with the low crime rate and quiet nature of the community.
8. Jersey City
Jersey City is one of the best places to live in Northern New Jersey because of the great community and proximity to NYC. Newark is the only city in NJ that has a bigger population than Jersey City. The biggest city in Hudson County, Jersey City is spread out enough that it doesn’t feel overcrowded.
Jersey City is especially a great place to move to if you commute to Manhattan for work. You can reach Manhattan from Jersey City in just 45 minutes if the traffic isn’t congested. Liberty Park is one of the best neighborhoods in Jersey City for families because it is safe and close to great schools.
Other neighborhoods, like The Waterfront and Downtown, are also quite safe. While Jersey City is expensive, it’s also home to many great opportunities, public transportation methods, and restaurants. We have helped countless people move to Jersey City, and it’s one of our busiest service areas.
We Are Here to Help With Your Northern NJ Move
While we work throughout New Jersey, Northern NJ is one of our biggest service areas at Optimum Moving. We frequently help customers move to their dream homes in Bayonne, Fair Haven, Edgewater, and beyond. Whether it be to shorten your work commute or get a change of scenery, moving to Northern NJ is a great decision.
Our skilled consultants, drivers, and moving crews are quite familiar with the area. This makes it easier for us to navigate the best routes, and it means we have great relationships throughout the region. Call Optimum Moving at (855) 315-6683 to schedule your Northern NJ move.
