Most people look for information on places to live from real estate agencies and websites, and both are authoritative sources for real estate values, transactions, and market insight. But, what do you do when you get there?

There’s no better resource for navigating the practical details of moving day than commercial movers. The New Jersey movers who work for Optimum Moving have been all over the NJ Tri-State area and know the ins and outs of every neighborhood. This convenient moving-day guide offers real-world advice on the best places to know if you’re moving to Bergen County, New Jersey.

The convenient links instantly bring you to useful information on the highlighted subject, including phone numbers, addresses, location finders, menus, and more.
Where it’s at.
Bergen County is one of the wealthiest counties in the United States. Known as an exceptional place to raise a family, complete with excellent school systems, Bergen County is the perfect place to live if you want a suburban lifestyle while working in Manhattan.

Within the 70 municipalities that make up the county, there are a wealth of cultural and entertainment resources including:

• MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The only active venue to be the home stadium of two NFL teams, the New York Jets and New York Giants. The stadium also hosts the “World’s Biggest Events, on the World’s Biggest Stage,” including Super Bowl XLVIII, WrestleMania 29, CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinals, U2, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney, and Taylor Swift.
• The Bergen County Zoological Park in Paramus, NJ. The first zoo in New Jersey to receive accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the “New World” zoo exhibits wildlife from North and South America, including such rare and unusual species as Baird’s Tapirs, Andean Condors, American Alligators, Golden Lion Tamarins, and South American Pampas.
• Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ. This nonprofit theater of and for the community provides a creative focus, educational resource, and engine of economic vitality for northern New Jersey. A small sample of the stars who have lit its stage include Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Ringo Starr, John Legend, Jerry Lewis, and Willie Nelson.

Hungry?

There are too many good places to eat in Bergen County to name here so we put together a short list of our local movers’ favorite stops when they need breakfast food:

• Country Pancake House and Restaurant in Ridgewood, NJ. Open since late 1960s, this family-owned restaurant still has an owner onsite, and “if you leave hungry, it’s your own fault!” Customers agree, and Country Pancake House has appeared on numerous best-of lists, including Zagat.
• Glaze Donuts in Paramus, NJ. Small-batch donuts with no preservatives or high fructose corn syrup. Whaa? The official donut of the New Jersey Devils, this award-winning shop offers a rotating selection of traditional and artisan donuts, waffles, and ice cream.

When our movers need a personalized dining experience to refuel and unwind:

Café Panache in Ramsey, NJ. Chef and owner of the French bistro, Kevin Kohler, has shopped, prepped, cooked, and run the business for more than thirty years. The 88-seat restaurant is regularly recognized as a foodie favorite, and come prepared to do your own pairings (BYO).

Morton’s The Steakhouse in Hackensack, NJ. Right off Route 4 in The Shops at Riverside Mall, you can find a welcoming atmosphere and a good time after your move with the finest steak and seafood served by an attentive wait staff. From happy-hour specials to fine dining, this celebrated restaurant offers upscale comfort and “the best steak anywhere!”

Need gas and more?

There are many gas stations along the Garden State Parkway, Route 17, and Route 208, and many of them can be found with these station finders:

• Sunoco
• Exxon

Finding a good mechanic is hard, but here’s a short list to get you started:

• Bergen Brookside in Hackensack, NJ. Privately owned and operated for more than two decades, this fully equipped and state-of-the-art repair facility also provides 24-hour towing and recovery service.
• Han’s Auto Repair in Saddle Brook, NJ. This one-stop auto repair shop provides quality maintenance, service, and repair by certified technicians. Stop in for a free inspection and trustworthy advice on any repairs.
• Community Auto and Tire in Ramsey, NJ. Operating since 1978, this mechanic repair shop provides preventative maintenance services and major service work. It also sells and installs name-brand tires, as well as custom wheels and rims.

Hardware and home repair

In case you can’t see a Home Depot from wherever you are in Bergen County, use this handy store finder to locate the one near you.

There’s only five Lowe’s stores in the county, and here’s the store finder to help you get to them all.

At the end of the day . . . go relax

As part of your move-in schedule, plan to give yourself a resort spa experience close to home at Fountain Day Spa. This luxurious day spa provides the ultimate experience in relaxation and tranquility. Go for massages, facials, body treatments, salon services, and more for yourself, couples, and groups.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, check in with the Hackensack Riverkeeper for open and guided canoe and kayak rentals (Laurel Hill County Park and Overpeck Park Kayak Center), educational Eco-Cruise tours, bird watching, fishing, and nature walks. Feel good that you’re supporting an organization dedicated to preserving the Hackensack River Watershed region and surrounding ecosystem for twenty years and counting.