In the past year, we have seen a large trend of New York City residents choosing to relocate to the more spacious, naturous, and affordable towns of New Jersey. Bergen County in particular is the top choice for many, as it is a stone’s throw from NYC while still offering all the unique perks of suburban living. Check out my list below to learn the many advantages of moving to Bergen County – now just may be the BEST time for you to make the move!
Easy Access to NYC
Bergen County is consistently ranked one of the best areas to commute to New York City from, with excellent bus, train, and ferry options! In fact, many Bergen County residents are actually able to travel to their Manhattan offices in the same or less time than city dwellers who have to travel by subway, bus, and foot. Plus, you will always be a short distance away from the culture and entertainment the city has to offer – so you always have plenty of options for weekend plans!
Photo Credit: https://www.gametime.com/projects/liberty-state-park
Lower Cost of Living
Moving to Bergen County can certainly be a favorable financial decision for you and your family. According to reports from Bungalow and US News, New York City is 2nd most expensive city in the United States, and the 7th most expensive city in the world! The cost of living in Bergen County is significantly more reasonable across the board, from mortgage payments, to education, to restaurant prices.
And let’s not forget one of the biggest perks – the lower cost of living will actually buy you more space! Say goodbye to studio apartments and noisy neighbors and hello to large bedrooms, a yard, and the privacy of your own property!
Low Crime
Bergen County is one of the safest areas in New Jersey, with crime rates far below both national and New York City levels. In fact, of the top five safest cities in all of NJ, three are in Bergen County alone! Whether you are raising children or relocating by yourself, safety should always be a top priority. At the end of the day, your family’s health and safety is really all that matters!
Great Schools
If you have children or are planning to grow your family soon, one of the biggest draws of Bergen County can be the vast educational opportunities. Generally speaking, suburbs have higher-ranked public school systems than urban areas and can offer up a variety of safe extracurricular activities to balance academics with socialization.
According Niche.com’s ranking of the 2021 Best Public High Schools in Bergen County, 32 of the 48 schools received an A- grade or higher. Those are exceptional scores when considering they factor in academics, teachers, clubs and activities, diversity, college prep, health and safety, sports, administration, food, and facilities. Bergen County schools are known for being well-rounded and are designed to give your child the best preparation to obtain an advanced degree!
Slower Pace
Even the most devoted urbanites can admit they are tired of large crowds, long commutes, and the impatient fast-paced lifestyle that comes along with New York City living. In Bergen County, you can actually reap many of the same benefits as NYC (great job opportunities, ample shopping, excellent restaurants), but with less of the hassle and wasted hours. So you can take more time to relax and unwind, and focus on what really matters to you!
Closer to Nature
If you have ever lived in NYC, there is a good chance that your bedroom window faced a brick wall, a fire escape, or directly into someone else’s bedroom. Unfortunately, in the “concrete jungle,” there is very little access to actual nature, and at times it can feel stuffy and claustrophobic. If you’re looking for a breath of fresh air, Bergen County offers large amounts of green space, with an abundance of parks, nature centers, lakes, and farms. It even contains several small mountain reservations perfect for camping, hiking, and skiing! And being northwest of the city, there is easy access to stunning natural areas in upstate New York and Pennsylvania, like the Adirondacks and the Poconos!
Great Amenities
Some city-dwellers are hesitant to leave New York City because they believe they have everything at their fingertips. And while it’s true NYC offers a walkability factor that the suburbs may not, there is a misconception that NJ does not have the same features. In fact, Bergen County has 6 major shopping malls, each of which offers dozens of retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment options (movie theaters, bowling alleys, ice skating rinks, and more!). Plus, many towns offer additional downtown shopping centers with top-rated dining options. Other necessities like grocery stores, hospitals, playgrounds, and schools are always a short drive away – and there is almost always free parking! And luckily, it is so much more affordable and practical to have a car in NJ. Say goodbye to traffic jams, parking meters, and street-cleaning schedules!
Relocating to the suburbs can be a big step, but Bergen County is definitely one of the best options around!
Please call me today at 201-247-6341 and I will be more than happy to send you available listings and answer all questions you may have.
Ana Moniz, ABR - "I'll Lead You Home"
Coldwell Banker
(201) 247-6341 Cell
AnaMonizRealEstate@gmail.com
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