12 Reasons Why Bergen County, New Jersey Could Be Your Next Big Move
Thinking of moving to Bergen County, New Jersey? Here’s your full 2024 guide to life, housing, schools, jobs, transport, and lifestyle in one of NJ’s top counties.
📍 What is Bergen County, New Jersey?
If you’re looking for that magical mix of suburban peace and city proximity, Bergen County might just be your sweet spot. Nestled in northeastern New Jersey, just across the Hudson River from Manhattan, Bergen County is the most populous county in the state—and for good reason.
From luxury homes to cozy townhouses, great schools to gourmet dining—this place has it all.
Quick Snapshot:
- Location: Northeastern NJ, bordering NYC
- Population: ~955,000
- County Seat: Hackensack
- Total Area: ~246 square miles
- Fun Fact: No sales tax on clothes or shoes 👗👟
🌤️ Weather & Geography – You Get All Four Seasons (For Better or Worse)
Yes, Bergen County brings all four seasons to life—think snowball fights in winter and barbecue Sundays in summer.
🌡️ Average Temperatures
| Season | Temp Range (°F) | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | 45–70 | Rainy, blooming 🌸 |
| Summer | 75–90 | Hot & humid ☀️ |
| Fall | 50–70 | Colorful & crisp 🍁 |
| Winter | 20–40 | Snowy & icy ❄️ |
It’s like nature hits “shuffle” every three months—never a dull moment.
🏞️ Geography Highlights
- Bordered by the Hudson River to the east
- Close to Palisades Interstate Park
- Access to Ramapo Mountains
🏘️ Cities, Towns & Neighborhoods – Which One Fits You?
With 70 municipalities, Bergen County offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a Wall Street commuter, a soccer mom, or a retiree, there’s a place for you.
🔝 Top Towns to Live In:
| Town | Vibe | Avg Home Price | Commute to NYC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgewood | Upscale family living | $950,000 | 50 min 🚆 |
| Fort Lee | Urban/commuter-friendly | $550,000 | 30 min 🚌 |
| Teaneck | Diverse and suburban | $490,000 | 45 min |
| Hackensack | Affordable & central | $450,000 | 40 min |
| Paramus | Shopping paradise | $680,000 | 45 min |
💼 Job Market & Economy – Work Hard, Commute Smart
Working in NYC but want to live in Jersey? Bergen makes that easy. But there’s also plenty happening within the county too.
🔍 Main Industries:
- Healthcare (Hackensack Meridian Health)
- Retail (Paramus = mall heaven 🛍️)
- Education
- Finance & Law
- Light Manufacturing
💰 Income Data:
- Median Household Income: ~$115,000
- Unemployment Rate: ~4.2%
- Top Employers: Hackensack University Medical Center, Bergen County Academies, UPS, Target, BMW of North America
It’s where suburban dreams and professional goals shake hands.
🏡 Housing Market – Should You Rent or Buy?
Let’s cut to the chase: Bergen County isn’t cheap, but it’s worth it.
Real Estate Overview:
| Town | Avg. Home Price | Avg. Rent (2BR) |
|---|---|---|
| Ridgewood | $950,000 | $3,200 |
| Fort Lee | $550,000 | $2,200 |
| Teaneck | $490,000 | $2,000 |
| Hackensack | $450,000 | $1,800 |
📈 Hot Trends:
- Increase in demand for multifamily properties
- High interest in condos near NJ Transit lines
- Investors eyeing Teaneck and Hackensack for rental income
Looking for ROI? Bergen delivers, especially for long-term plays.
🚗 Transportation – Gateway to the Big Apple
This is where Bergen County truly shines—it’s got the best access to NYC in the state.
🚆 NJ Transit Options:
- Pascack Valley Line
- Bergen County Line
- Buses from almost every town
🛣️ Major Roads:
- I-80
- Route 4
- Garden State Parkway
- George Washington Bridge (to Manhattan)
✈️ Nearby Airports:
- Teterboro Airport (private/charter)
- Newark International Airport (~45 min)
🎓 Schools & Education – A+ for Families
You’ve probably heard of Bergen’s reputation for top-tier public schools, and it’s absolutely true.
🎯 Best School Districts:
- Tenafly Public Schools – elite performance
- Northern Highlands Regional – top rankings
- Ridgewood Public Schools – high college readiness
- Bergen County Academies – nationally ranked magnet school
🎓 Higher Ed Nearby:
- Bergen Community College
- Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Ramapo College (nearby in Mahwah)
If you’re raising future CEOs, scientists, or artists—this is fertile ground.
🏥 Healthcare – You’re in Good Hands
Bergen County doesn’t just do healthcare—it leads it.
🏥 Top Medical Centers:
- Hackensack University Medical Center – ranked among top 5 hospitals in NJ
- Valley Hospital (Ridgewood)
- Englewood Health
Services include:
- Oncology
- Pediatrics
- Emergency Trauma
- Mental Health
You’ll sleep better knowing world-class care is minutes away.
🎉 Things to Do – Weekend Plans? Covered!
Forget boredom—Bergen is buzzing with activities all year round.
🛍️ Shopping Mecca:
- Garden State Plaza
- Bergen Town Center
- Paramus Park Mall
🎡 Must-Visit Attractions:
- American Dream Mall (next door in East Rutherford)
- Van Saun Park & Zoo
- Palisades Interstate Park (hiking & views of NYC)
🎨 Arts & Events:
- BergenPAC (Englewood)
- NJ Film Festival
- Farmer’s Markets, Summer concerts, Food truck festivals
🍴 Dining & Lifestyle
Foodies, rejoice! Bergen County has everything from Michelin-star style restaurants to food trucks serving up the best Korean fried chicken you’ll ever taste.
Top Picks:
- Ventanas (Fort Lee) – Latin-Asian fusion
- Saddle River Inn – rustic fine dining
- Mama Fina’s (Teaneck) – Filipino street food vibes
- B&W Bakery (Hackensack) – crumb cake heaven 🍰
🕊️ Community & Culture – Truly a Melting Pot
You’ll find Bergen County to be one of the most diverse areas in the state.
🌎 Ethnic Diversity:
- Large Korean, Jewish, Italian, Hispanic communities
- Multilingual signage, schools, services
- A sense of inclusion everywhere you go
✝️ Religious Centers:
- Synagogues (Teaneck, Englewood)
- Churches (Ridgewood, Hackensack)
- Mosques (Hackensack, South Hackensack)
- Hindu temples and cultural associations
👮♂️ Safety & Law Enforcement
Generally, Bergen is one of the safest counties in NJ.
🔐 Safety Rankings:
- Ridgewood, Glen Rock, and River Edge are among the safest
- Strong police presence and community programs
It’s the kind of place where neighbors wave and kids play outside.
📊 Summary Snapshot
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | ~955,000 |
| Median Household Income | $115,000+ |
| School Rating | 9/10 average |
| Avg. Commute to NYC | 40 minutes |
| Property Tax (avg %) | 2.15% |
✅ So… Is Bergen County, NJ Right for You?
Let’s do a quick breakdown.
👍 Pros:
- NYC proximity
- Excellent schools & hospitals
- Beautiful towns
- Diversity & dining options
- Low crime
👎 Cons:
- Expensive housing
- High property taxes
- Busy traffic at times
🔗 External Resource
For more data and resources, visit the Official Bergen County Website
🧠 Final Thoughts
Bergen County, New Jersey isn’t just a place to live—it’s a lifestyle choice. It’s where career-driven professionals, growing families, and retirees all find a home.
Ready to make your move? Because Bergen might just be exactly what you’ve been searching for.