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 Passaic County, New Jersey.

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Where it’s at.

Passaic County has an odd, hourglass shape stretching from mountainous wilderness in the northwest, such as Bearfort Ridge in West Milford, down to flatter, more populated terrain in the southeast near Passaic, “the fastest growing city in New Jersey.”

Created in 1837 from sections of Bergen and Essex counties, Passaic County has a rich storyline in the history of the United States. Visiting historic sites and enjoying outdoor recreation in the more than 16,000 acres of preserved open space draws visitors from all over.

Hungry?

All sixteen municipalities that make up Passaic County offer plenty of amazing places to eat. Take your time finding your favorite spots in your new area. To get your blood sugar up and your stress level down, here’s a shortlist of bakeries and drinking hot spots you need to go to now that you’re local.

Polonia Bakery in Passaic, NJ, has brought the culture of a true Polish deli to the heart of Passaic County since 1953. Owner Andrew Kaczmarek carries on the traditions of his father’s signature babka, poppy seed cake, rye bread, and polish donuts called paczki (pronounced, “punchkey”).

If you’re farther north in Paterson, NJ, you owe it to yourself to try Nablus Sweets and Pastries. This authentic Middle Eastern bakery has been in business since 1996 but recently moved to its Paterson location. Whether you want to expand your palate or enjoy tastes from home, you will rave about the nabulsi kunafa, every type of baklava, and halawet el-jibn.

A single-story brick building at 321 River Road is home to Silk City Distillers, a farm-to-bottle distillery producing handcrafted spirits with locally sourced corn, rye, and barley. In addition to special events and private functions, the distillery holds tours and tastings on the weekend.

Mother’s Ale House in Wayne, NJ, is the sports bar you need in your life. 100 high-definition televisions on two floors carry all the games, including college football and basketball, NFL, NHL, MLB, and UFC. A full menu, happy-hour specials, and fifty beers on tap always puts you in the best seat in the house.

Need gas and more?

There’s a lot of gas stations along Passaic County Road 622 (Bloomfield Ave. in Clifton, and Broadway in Passaic), as well as on Main Ave. in Passaic.

Many more can be found with these gas station finders:

• Sunoco
• Exxon

If you break down or need auto repair services, here’s a short list to get you started:

Skyline Service Center in Ringwood, NJ. A family-owned station for multiple generations, this full-service repair shop also sells gas.

Need a tow? Vito’s Towing has been towing cars, trucks, and equipment for more than thirty years. Whether you need roadside assistance or private property transported for local and out-of-state moves, this towing company has the right vehicle.

Bauers Service Station has been family owned for more than seven decades. This full-service gas station and repair shop does NJ state OBD inspections, as well as towing and recovery.

Hardware and home repair

Even if you’re renting or had the luxury to renovate before moving in, there’s always going to be something to fix or upgrade . . . it’s a home! Fortunately, there are a few options for home improvement in Passaic County.

There’s a Home Depot in Clifton and Passaic, NJ, and a Lowe’s in Paterson, NJ.

If you prefer family-owned hardware stores, Colon’s Hardware in Paterson, NJ, has everything you need for home repair, including hardware, plumbing, paint, and electrical, as well as carpeting, linoleum, and tool rentals.

At the end of the day . . . go relax

Just twenty miles northwest of Midtown Manhattan, you can find untouched mountains and refreshing bodies of water in Pompton Lakes, NJ.

Whether you want to kayak, birdwatch, go shopping in the quaint downtown, or take your bestie to the dog park, Pompton Lakes is your destination.

After you fill your day with activities, why not do dinner and a show?

Make a reservation at Axton’s (or get takeout!) and enjoy rustic Italian steak and seafood prepared by executive chef Anton Testino, best known for competing on Food Network’s Chopped and Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen.

Then enjoy the finest community theatre in northern New Jersey at the Rhino Theatre. The holiday shows are a perfect topping to a day of shopping.