History and modern developments mix on the rocky Hudson Palisades
Fort Lee is where 40,000 residents overlook the Hudson River, surrounded by history and the buzz of new developments. The city’s name hearkens back to the Revolutionary War, and George Washington’s name adorns the bridge leading over to New York City. In the 20th century, Fort Lee became known for launching the country’s film industry and then later evolved into a major hub for East Asian immigrants. Call it a success story for America’s melting pot ethos, rising above the rocky Hudson Palisades. “It’s a very diverse town, with a mix of wealthy and blue-collar areas,” says Tony Lee, a Realtor with Proper Estates.
The median age of residents is 46. Density has increased since the 70s, thanks in part to high-rise buildings, and Korean-style restaurants, cafes, karaoke bars and other companies build out the local economy. Health care is a leading industry. And even though the film industry has largely moved west, the $16 million Barrymore Film Center opened here in 2022, bringing in speakers, exhibits and regular film screenings. Plus, by 2026, the biggest entertainment studio on the East Coast will open just 25 miles south down the Gold Coast, in Bayonne. “The beauty of Fort Lee is that you have the Barrymore and a little downtown area near the bridge, but that’s still within walking distance of very residential areas,” says Monica Capellan, a Realtor with Prominent Properties. As a result, many lifestyles are accommodated here. “It’s like being in the burbs, but there’s still a city vibe to it,” says Young Tak, a Realtor with RE/MAX Select. “You really get the best of both worlds.”
Its history dates back to the Revolutionary War but the future of Fort Lee looks bright.
The Barrymore Film Center is a revival house and museum celebrating Fort Lee's film history.
Perched high atop the Palisades Fort Lee's towers enjoy one of the world's best views.
The majestic George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee is said to be the busiest in the world.
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Duplexes, traditional single-owner styles and multi-million-dollar homes
Housing in Fort Lee is as diverse as the ways of life here. But one of the most common styles is a type of modern duplex. “This is a two-family property that’s been built on a single-owner lot,” Lee explains. “They share a wall, so instead of one owner above and another below, it’s like two homes fused together. These are typically three stories, with three bedrooms and four bathrooms.” He mentions that other amenities include a yard, a garage and a small deck. Most are 2,800 to 3,200 square feet and sell for $1.4 million.
Other streets in Fort Lee are mostly single-owner homes, with some low-rise rental buildings mixed in. Common styles include colonial-influenced homes and split-levels. Co-op complexes, like Linwood Plaza, have studio units priced at $165,000. Larger co-op units are scattered across the city, selling between $200,000 and $300,000. Lee points out that the most coveted homes are in the Bluff neighborhood, tucked below Palisade Avenue, on streets like Arcadian Way. The appeal of this small grid near Edgewater is that it has views of the Hudson and New York City. For this reason, the land value can be higher than the home itself, and some even choose to go the teardown route. Lee says he sold a midcentury home there for $1.75 million in October 2024 – but some homes can sell for upward of $4 to $5 million.
The median price of a home in Fort Lee is $395,000 while the national median is $416,700.
Modern duplexes often share the street with older single family homes in Fort Lee.
Single family homes mix with large apartment towers in Fort Lee, NJ.
Linwood Park apartments in Fort Lee offers an affordable housing option.
Many homes in Fort Lee have spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline.
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Highly ranked public schools are a draw for homebuyers
A highly ranked public education system draws homebuyers here. The Fort Lee Public School District earns an A from Niche, including an A-plus in the college prep category. Over 4,000 students are in attendance across seven schools. Each of those schools receives an overall A rating. There are several private school options for pre-kindergarten students, and Christ the Teacher Academy covers up to eighth grade. There is also supplementary education nearby for the sizable Japanese population in Fort Lee. The Japanese Weekend School of New Jersey is hosted by Paramus Catholic High just 10 miles east, but its offices are in Fort Lee.
Fort Lee High School is highly rated public school.
Lewis F Cole Middle School in Fort Lee NJ has a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1.
Christ the Teacher Academy in Fort Lee is committed to the success of its students.
Fort Lee School No. 3 is a highly rated public school in Fort Lee, NJ.
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George Washington Bridge leads to New York City
One of the most immediate transportation amenities available to residents is the George Washington Bridge, leading to the Fort George neighborhood, which has cultural destinations like Dominican eateries and The Met Cloisters. “Some people bike across the bridge, others walk in good weather,” says Capellan. “You also have the Hudson Bikes club, they sell all bikes and any equipment you need, but on weekends you see all the bikers get together and bike around the Hudson or go across the bridge.”
Drivers know the bridge connects to Interstate 95 and the New Jersey Turnpike on the Fort Lee side. Commuters can also benefit from the Edgewater Ferry Landing, which provides daily service to Midtown Manhattan and Wall Street. The George Washington Bridge Bus Station is serviced by NJ Transit, and a pedestrian tunnel leads to the 175th Street station for A Line subway service. “There’s also a free shuttle that helps residents get to surrounding hospitals,” says Capellan. “A lot of health care employees live here because of the convenience.”
Ross Dock Picnic Area is a hidden retreat
Hudson Park is a prime outdoor attraction with several miles of hiking trails offering sights like waterfalls and a Revolutionary War fort. Lee points out an important lifestyle spot nearby: Ross Dock Picnic Area. “You have to drive under the bridge, on this little hidden road,” he says. “It has amazing views because you’re right on the river. People go there to hang out and barbecue.” And even though Fort Lee spreads inland, people can still relax. “There are small parks interspersed throughout,” says Capellan. Some favorite spots include Central Green and Monument Park, where Shakespeare in the Park performances are held during summer months.
There are fantastic views of the George Washington Bridge from Fort Lee Historic Park.
Central Green provides a patch of green park in a fast growing section of Fort Lee.
Monument Park in Fort Lee celebrates the town's Revolutionary War heritage.
There are many shady tables perfect for a picnic at Ross Dock Park.
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Cafes, Korean food and denser developments
Fort Lee is no stranger to Japanese and Korean cuisine, and in recent months Lee says it has begun to add omakase spots where patrons pay a fixed fee for chef-selected sushi platters. “Typically, you’ve seen that offering associated with Manhattan, but it’s made its way here,” he says. Cafes of various types appear throughout the city and serve as a spot for connection. “The Paris Baguette is where everybody goes,” says Capellan. Fort Lee is developing in a way to bring dining and retail options closer together. “There’s a brand-new area in the heart of Fort Lee, called the Hudson Lights development, that’s full of restaurants,” says Capellan. “The area is really cute, and you’ll see a lot of families enjoying time there.”
“Fort Lee has sort of revamped itself recently,” says Tak, speaking about the effect of Hudson Lights on the city’s image. Residents can find other pockets to explore as well. “The whole Main Street area is cohesive too,” says Capellan. “There’s always a lot of things happening there, whether it’s people just walking around or coffee shops to check out.” Over the bridge in Fort George, there are destinations along Broadway, like the Northend Fall Hall – which serves cocktails, tacos and pizzas topped with chimichurri sauce.
The Hudson Lights complex has become a destination for shopping and dining in Fort Lee.
Paris Baguette in Fort Lee is known for its artisan pastries and fresh coffee.
The Japanese restaurant Tusjita has branches in Tokyo, LA, Houston and Fort Lee.
Fort Lee residents have many options when it comes to gourmet coffee and pastries.
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A slight increase in criminal offenses
Fort Lee experiences humid summers and is known for having snowy winters. February can receive about 7 inches of snow on average.
FBI crime data shows Fort Lee had 291 violent crimes in 2023, a 14% decrease from the year before. There were 555 property crimes in 2023, a 2.77% increase from 2022.
Written By
Paul Spencer
Photography Contributed By
James Leynse
Video By
Mallory Nolte
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Courtenay Batcha,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Fort Lee Historic Park, Palisades Interstate Park Commission
Fort Lee Housing Trends
On average, homes in Fort Lee, NJ sell after 56 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Fort Lee, NJ over the last 12 months is $400,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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