Riverfront community, but without the steep price tag
North Bergen is one of New Jersey’s Gold Coast riverfront communities, situated next to chic neighborhoods like Weehawken on the west end. It’s also one of the country's hilliest municipalities, placed along the steep cliffs of Hudson County. The township is additionally known for its unusual shape – the prized waterfront area is a dogleg stretch of land on the east end, jutting out from Braddock Park. But residents pay more attention to the reasonably priced housing within minutes of Manhattan. “Weehawken is going to be more of a lifestyle geared towards doctors and attorneys, it’s just very expensive,” says Tamayo Oppenheimer, Realtor with Silver and Oak Realty. “But from North Bergen and Union City, the commute is amazing – a bus will get you into Midtown Manhattan in about 15 minutes.”
Detached rowhouses from $600,000
Prices for single-family houses typically range from $425,000 to $650,000. On the lower end of the market, homebuyers will see ranches and cottages – some of them with views, given the neighborhood’s hilly landscape. On the upper end of the market are detached rowhouses with a hint of colonial stylings. Many times these homes will be ready for renovation, leaving the homebuyer to put their personal stamp on the property. Occasionally one will encounter newly built single-family homes that can reach well into the $800,000s, while two-family homes on the market climb up to $950,000. North Bergen is home to several neighborhoods like Woodcliff, which residents enjoy for its access to Braddock Park and public transportation. The Racetrack section, which also borders Braddock Park, is home to the public library, the high school and one of the first White Castle locations ever opened.
Dining on Bergenline Avenue
Bergenline Avenue is one of the neighborhood’s key commercial stretches. Even just branching off from here for a few blocks north to John F. Kennedy Boulevard will bring more opportunities for dining. The scene is very international, ranging from Lebanese to Italian. There’s also a strong representation of Latin cuisines, with Dominican, Salvadoran and Peruvian restaurants noticeable along this part of North Bergen. "North Bergen has a very prominent Spanish-speaking population, so expect a lot of Columbian and other Spanish cuisines, too," says Josue Johnson, a former resident. Pizza places are also popular in the neighborhood, like Gandolfo and Roma Pizzeria, which also serves hot sandwiches and pasta entrees. For household shopping, North Bergen includes an Aldi, Target, Walmart Supercenter, Lowe's and Home Depot.
Cultural clubs at North Bergen High
John F. Kennedy School covers first through eighth grade, and earns a C from Niche. North Bergen High is rated the same, and is known for its cultural clubs, from the Indian Cultural Club to the French National Honor Society. Other academic institutions include the North Hudson Islamic Educational Center and Rising Star Academy, a college-prep private school. The North Hudson branch of Hudson County Community College is nearby, too. Opened in 2011, it offers a library on campus.
Views at Braddock Park
Braddock Park offers views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline. Residents find various ways to enjoy the 170 acres, including walking along the paved paths, playing handball, volleyball, basketball or soccer, or relaxing on the benches at the lake. There's also a dog run and a playground. Summer brings people to the North Bergen Pool, a community complex with a spray park, kiddie pool, lap pool and a larger swimming pool with a waterslide. Quiet green spaces for reflection include the neighborhood’s numerous cemeteries, situated next to Saint Rocco’s Roman Catholic Church and offering views of North Bergen.
Commuting on Route 495, light rail
North Bergen is less than 10 miles from Midtown Manhattan, Hoboken and Jersey City, making it a convenient place to live for commuters. Route 495 runs through North Bergan and leads directly to the Lincoln Tunnel. There’s a light rail station on Bergenline near the community college, but buses on this retail corridor provide public transportation options within the neighborhood, too. Tonnelle Avenue, also known as Route 9, cuts east-west through the neighborhood and features its own namesake light rail station.
Photography Contributed By
Joseph DiBlasi
