Former industrial hub 30 minutes from the city
North Arlington is often considered a former industrial hub – after all, America’s first working steam engine was used here – but today, it has a more suburban feel, with vintage-style homes and tree-lined streets. When asked about the greatest strengths of the neighborhood, Realtor Claudia Diez of EXP Realty says, “It’s conveniently located 30 minutes from New York City, and walking distance from bus stops to New York. You also have easy access to major highways, shopping areas and great restaurants.” Shopping districts like those along Ridge Road provide cozy vistas, as memorable buildings like the Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church rise above small, locally owned businesses. “When people think of the closest nice suburban areas just outside of New York City, they think of places like this,” says Daniel Simone, broker associate with KW Commercial. Simone is a resident of Rutherford, a bordering community that once banded with North Arlington to rehabilitate a former landfill site with golf courses. The neighborhood receives an overall crime score of 2 out of 10 on the CAP Index. The national average is 4.
Cape Cods and colonials from $500,000
Housing usually shows up in the form of midcentury Cape Cods and colonials from the 1930s, though it’s possible to see a few ranches or modern traditional homes as well. The Cape Cods and colonials also stand out through their use of stone accents. Lots can be narrow and rectangular, separated by driveways, or sometimes even nonexistent, with homes fronted by sidewalks and stoops. On the eastern part of the neighborhood near Lyndhurst, like along Hoover Street, the landscape turns more traditionally suburban, with attached garages. However, homes are still placed close together like those near Belleville Turnpike, the western border. Prices range from $500,000 for a 1,600-square-foot Cape Cod to $770,000 for a nearly 2,000-square-foot colonial.
Associate degree program at North Arlington High
Children can begin their public education at Jefferson Elementary, which has a 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio and a B-minus from Niche. Veterans Middle earns a B. North Arlington High School opened in 1938 and now has a program in partnership with Bergen Community College that allows students to graduate with an associate's degree. The school receives a B. Private options include the Queen of Peace Grammar School, which covers pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, as well as Sacred Heart School, which covers the same grades.
Sawmill Creek Trail, Riverside County Park
The Sawmill Creek Trail, which runs through the Richard W. DeKorte Park on the banks of the Hackensack River, invites hikers to stroll down stretches of land and boardwalks navigating the local salt marshes, where both flora and fauna can be found in abundance. In addition, Riverside County Park offers athletic opportunities in the form of pickleball, tennis and soccer. Perhaps the most notable public space in North Arlington, though, is the Holy Cross Cemetery, which covers more than 200 acres and features a 9/11 Memorial that overlooks Manhattan.
Shopping and dining on Ridge Road
North Arlington eateries look like they would be right at home in a movie or TV show – and some of them have appeared in entertainment. Pizzaland shows up in the opening credits for the HBO series “The Sopranos,” and it feels immediately iconic with its tiny brick storefront. Arlington Diner is surrounded by retro signage and is known for its cheesecake. Ridge Road features more shops and restaurants, ranging from sushi joints to bakeries to breakfast grills. Nightlife options are available, like the 1 Republik sports bar, a small, cozy and homespun place known for serving sandwiches on waffle buns. For groceries, there’s a Super Foodtown on the west end and a Stop & Shop on the east end.
Commuting to NYC on Routes 7, 139
North Arlington commuters can access New York City within about 45 minutes from Routes 7 and 139. Newark Airport is also just a 30-minute drive. Buses run along Ridge Road, one of the neighborhood’s most important corridors for finding food and retail options. Sidewalks in residential areas add a pedestrian-friendly angle to North Arlington.
Written By
Jessica Haddad
Photography Contributed By
Brendan Rogers
Video By
Jonathan Bradley
