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For Northern NJ | March, 2025
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5 Things to Know Before Moving to New Jersey
Despite the fact that New Jersey is one of the country’s prettiest states, it often gets a bad rap—or forgotten—because of its proximity to New York City. Shows like Jersey Shore and The Real Housewives of New Jersey don’t help either, leading people to think we’re all about big hair and bigger mouths.
It’s called the Garden State for a reason; one drive outside of the New York Metropolitan area will show you: the unparalleled beauty of Palisades Interstate Park, the Great Falls of the Passaic River, are just two examples. Those of us fortunate to call New Jersey home know you’ll never regret moving here, but here are some key things to know before you come
1. Be Prepared for Extreme Weather
You cannot fully appreciate just how extreme until you live here. Even if you are moving from somewhere like Ohio, you may be thinking the weather can’t be that much different, right? This state can experience nor’easters in the winter and early spring. Once here, you will finally understand the true meaning of the word “blizzard.” Waterproof boots and a quality car battery are essentials. You’re not off the hook in summer, either. There are around 30 thunderstorms every summer here.
2. Have an Emergency Plan
Due to extreme weather, New Jersey can experience multiple power outages per year. You might remember when we made national headlines during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, severely affected by the 90-mile-per-hour winds. While that is an extreme example, locals are used to power outages that you might find uncomfortable unless you’re prepared. If you don’t have an emergency shelter, at least have an emergency kit with water, solar charger, and a source of heat to get you through.
3. Don’t Try to Pump Your Own Gas
Before you reach for that nozzle at the fuel pump, you should know that it is illegal to pump your own gas here. In 1949, it was ruled that due to fire hazards, it is in the best interest of the public to leave the job to station attendants. Don’t complain. When it’s 10 degrees below zero and snow is falling an inch per hour, you’ll learn to enjoy it. Folks elsewhere dream of full service gas stations!
4. Get to Know the “New Jersey Left”
Officially called a “jughandle,” these little slip roads can be very confusing when you first start encountering them. Michigan has something similar that locals call a “roundabout.” Basically, rather than turning from a left-hand turning lane (that would be far too simple), jughandles use an exit ramp on the right side of the road. Be prepared to do a lot of backtracking for a while until you learn to not miss your exit.
5. BYOB is not just for parties.
Many restaurants in New Jersey that do not have a liquor license allow you to bring your own bottle without a corkage fee (unless a municipal ordinance prohibits it). Yes, just like your college parties, only classier. (Some establishments with a license will also allow it with the corkage fee, but it’s best to ask beforehand.)
Up Next: Check out our Pitfalls to Avoid for First Time Home Buyers >>>>>
Resources to help you in your journey
Book Your Free Strategy Session
Whether you are a buyer or a seller, winning in real estate starts with a solid strategy. The current market has opportunities for buyers and sellers including a getting into your dream home without the highest bid or selling your current home once you have found a new home first. To learn more, book a consultation now ---->
Need to Sell Your Home First?
Get Your Free Copy of Our Ultimate Seller's Guide for Bergen County Homeowners and learn the three steps to selling your home for more money.
Top 10 High ROI Sellers Checklist:
If there was a way for you to get more value for your home without spending tons of $$$, effort and time? To see how my sellers get more money for their homes with these simple low cost hacks, click the link below for instant access to all my tips.
Tips Here ➡️ https://topnjrealtor.com/high-roi
To Increase the value of your home, get these proven tips!
After over a decade of experience our team has perfected the highest ROI prep tips that mean more money in your pocket! Here is a quick checklist to get you started with prepping your home for sale. These tips are designed for high impact and low effort!
Don't get personal. It’s time to move out emotionally—and physically. Survey each room, and pack away personal items such as family photos, bric-a-brac, medicine, etc
Declutter and Update. Take out bulky furniture, old electronics; clear off desks, tabletops, shelves. Keep rooms (especially bedrooms) decluttered and minimal.
Paint a fresh perspective. Whites, neutral, pale grays, can make your house feel fresh and new again— and the buyer feel calm and at home.
Shed some light. Make sure every light bulb is energy- efficient, and at the highest wattage the light fixture will allow. Give all fixtures a deep clean for maximum sparkle.
For the rest of the checklist, Click Here for our Top 10 Seller Checklist
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Report Cards by Town
Brought to you by Niche.com
Check out Niche's 2024 Best Places to Live in Bergen County here
Bergen County, NJ
Bergen County, New Jersey, has a population of 953,243 and is considered one of the best places to live in the state. Most residents own their homes, and the area offers many bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. It attracts young professionals, with residents generally leaning liberal. The public schools in Bergen County are highly rated.
Tenafly, NJ
Tenafly, a suburb of New York City in Bergen County with a population of 15,299, is one of the best places to live in New Jersey. Most residents own their homes and enjoy a suburban feel with numerous restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. The town attracts families, and residents generally hold moderate political views. Tenafly’s public schools are highly rated.
Oradell, NJ
Oradell, a New York City suburb in Bergen County with a population of 8,208, is considered one of the best places to live in New Jersey. Residents enjoy a suburban feel, with most owning their homes. The town has plenty of coffee shops and parks and is popular among retirees. Oradell residents generally lean conservative, and the public schools are highly rated.
Hawthorne, NJ
Hawthorne, a suburb of New York City in Passaic County with a population of 19,456, offers a dense suburban feel with many restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. It attracts families and young professionals, with residents generally leaning liberal. The public schools are rated above average.
Demarest, NJ
Demarest, a New York City suburb in Bergen County with a population of 4,930, is considered one of the best places to live in New Jersey. It has a rural atmosphere, with most residents owning their homes. The community generally holds moderate political views, and the public schools are highly rated.
Closter, NJ
Closter, a New York City suburb in Bergen County with a population of 8,555, is highly rated as a place to live in New Jersey. It provides a rural feel, and most residents own their homes. The community tends toward moderate political views, and the public schools are highly rated.
Montvale, NJ
Montvale, a New York City suburb in Bergen County with a population of 8,413, is known as one of New Jersey’s top places to live. It offers a sparse suburban atmosphere, with most residents owning their homes. The area attracts many young professionals, and the community generally leans conservative. Montvale’s public schools are highly rated.
Upper Saddle River, NJ
Upper Saddle River, a New York City suburb in Bergen County with a population of 8,313, is highly rated as a place to live in New Jersey. It offers a rural feel, with most residents owning their homes and enjoying the town’s numerous parks. Residents tend to hold moderate political views, and the public schools are highly rated.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
Woodcliff Lake, a New York City suburb in Bergen County with a population of 6,096, is highly regarded as a place to live in New Jersey. It provides a sparse suburban feel, with most residents owning their homes and enjoying many coffee shops and parks. The community leans conservative, and the public schools are highly rated.
Real Estate Insights, Home Tips & More
5 Things to Know Before Moving to New Jersey
Despite the fact that New Jersey is one of the country’s prettiest states, it often gets a bad rap—or forgotten—because of its proximity to New York City. Shows like Jersey Shore and The Real Housewives of New Jersey don’t help either, leading people to think we’re all about big hair and bigger mouths.
It’s called the Garden State for a reason; one drive outside of the New York Metropolitan area will show you: the unparalleled beauty of Palisades Interstate Park, the Great Falls of the Passaic River, are just two examples. Those of us fortunate to call New Jersey home know you’ll never regret moving here, but here are some key things to know before you come
1. Be Prepared for Extreme Weather
You cannot fully appreciate just how extreme until you live here. Even if you are moving from somewhere like Ohio, you may be thinking the weather can’t be that much different, right? This state can experience nor’easters in the winter and early spring. Once here, you will finally understand the true meaning of the word “blizzard.” Waterproof boots and a quality car battery are essentials. You’re not off the hook in summer, either. There are around 30 thunderstorms every summer here.
2. Have an Emergency Plan
Due to extreme weather, New Jersey can experience multiple power outages per year. You might remember when we made national headlines during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, severely affected by the 90-mile-per-hour winds. While that is an extreme example, locals are used to power outages that you might find uncomfortable unless you’re prepared. If you don’t have an emergency shelter, at least have an emergency kit with water, solar charger, and a source of heat to get you through.
3. Don’t Try to Pump Your Own Gas
Before you reach for that nozzle at the fuel pump, you should know that it is illegal to pump your own gas here. In 1949, it was ruled that due to fire hazards, it is in the best interest of the public to leave the job to station attendants. Don’t complain. When it’s 10 degrees below zero and snow is falling an inch per hour, you’ll learn to enjoy it. Folks elsewhere dream of full service gas stations!
4. Get to Know the “New Jersey Left”
Officially called a “jughandle,” these little slip roads can be very confusing when you first start encountering them. Michigan has something similar that locals call a “roundabout.” Basically, rather than turning from a left-hand turning lane (that would be far too simple), jughandles use an exit ramp on the right side of the road. Be prepared to do a lot of backtracking for a while until you learn to not miss your exit.
5. BYOB is not just for parties.
Many restaurants in New Jersey that do not have a liquor license allow you to bring your own bottle without a corkage fee (unless a municipal ordinance prohibits it). Yes, just like your college parties, only classier. (Some establishments with a license will also allow it with the corkage fee, but it’s best to ask beforehand.)
Up Next: Check out our Pitfalls to Avoid for First Time Home Buyers >>>>>
Resources to help you in your journey
Book Your Free Strategy Session
Whether you are a buyer or a seller, winning in real estate starts with a solid strategy. The current market has opportunities for buyers and sellers including a getting into your dream home without the highest bid or selling your current home once you have found a new home first. To learn more, book a consultation now ---->
Need to Sell Your Home First?
Get Your Free Copy of Our Ultimate Seller's Guide for Bergen County Homeowners and learn the three steps to selling your home for more money.
Top 10 High ROI Sellers Checklist:
If there was a way for you to get more value for your home without spending tons of $$$, effort and time? To see how my sellers get more money for their homes with these simple low cost hacks, click the link below for instant access to all my tips.
Tips Here ➡️ https://topnjrealtor.com/high-roi
To Increase the value of your home, get these proven tips!
After over a decade of experience our team has perfected the highest ROI prep tips that mean more money in your pocket! Here is a quick checklist to get you started with prepping your home for sale. These tips are designed for high impact and low effort!
Don't get personal. It’s time to move out emotionally—and physically. Survey each room, and pack away personal items such as family photos, bric-a-brac, medicine, etc
Declutter and Update. Take out bulky furniture, old electronics; clear off desks, tabletops, shelves. Keep rooms (especially bedrooms) decluttered and minimal.
Paint a fresh perspective. Whites, neutral, pale grays, can make your house feel fresh and new again— and the buyer feel calm and at home.
Shed some light. Make sure every light bulb is energy- efficient, and at the highest wattage the light fixture will allow. Give all fixtures a deep clean for maximum sparkle.
For the rest of the checklist, Click Here for our Top 10 Seller Checklist
