A commuter community, just a 40-minute drive to Manhattan
Looking over the Hackensack River at Manhattan, the suburb of Rutherford presents a retreat while also offering convenient connections to the big city. And even though the idea of a New York City commuter community conjures images of the quiet life, Rutherford’s downtown keeps the cultural spark alive with shops and restaurants. Plus, as local realtors note, Rutherford used to be a dry town – but moods are being lifted now that liquid spirts are being served. “People from Hudson County, Queens, New York City, they’re all gravitating towards Rutherford because of that walkable downtown strip,” says Daniel Simone, broker associate with KW Commercial and a resident of Rutherford. “They can walk off the train, meet a friend, grab a drink.” Simone refers to Rutherford as being the apotheosis of suburbia in the immediate area, and so if city workers in Hoboken, Jersey City and Manhattan are looking for that ideal mix of strong schools, transportation and backyard dining, they come here. With a 2 out of 10 crime score, Rutherford feels easygoing.
Diverse colonial styles, starting in the low $500,000s
Simone affirms that colonials are the most popular style of home in Rutherford. While the majority of these homes are from the 1920s, there’s a lot of variation within the local colonial genre. There are Tudor colonials with steeply pitched roofs, deep brown woodwork and pale stone accents, for example. Dutch colonials are readily recognizable by their angular, barn-like roofs, and Craftsman colonials are adorned with prominent columns and bay windows. Meanwhile, there are more traditional versions in classic white, navy and beige – but even these tend to be tall and slender, suited for tight lots that are fronted by a stoop and sidewalk. Prices range from the low $500,000s to $800,000. “You can see the history of Rutherford in a lot of these houses, with interior details being preserved,” Simone says. “People tend to buy and stay. Anyone who’s been in an apartment just outside Manhattan, they move here out of their $5000 or $7000 a month apartment and they’re kind of wowed. They can pay the same thing, but instead of living in a 1000 square foot apartment, they’re living in a 3000 square foot home.”
Rutherford High has an Olympic-sized pool
Highly ranked schools add to Rutherford’s charm. Lincoln Elementary has a 15-to-1 student-teacher ratio and earns an A-minus rating from Niche. Middle schoolers go to Union School, which earns a B-plus. Rutherford High is noted for its modern amenities, ranging from an Olympic-sized pool to a library with over 20,000 books. The school earns an A. Felician University is a private Catholic institution also located in the neighborhood, sitting next to Congregation Beth El, a Jewish synagogue and Rutherford Congregational Church.
Benches in the shade at Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is a triangular parcel located along the commercial corridor of Park Avenue. It’s great for lounging in the shade on a bench or taking a stroll along the paved paths. The nearby Meadowlands Sports Complex is where the athletic action lives: it features a racetrack as well as MetLife Stadium, which is home to the New York Giants and New York Jets. The complex is also anchored by the American Dream retail center, which is the second-largest shopping mall in the country.
Park Avenue is an epicurean explosion
Park Avenue is the place to go when it comes to dining out. With restaurant names like Matisse 167 – which serves a prix-fixe menu – it’s apparent that residents don’t have to go to Manhattan for highbrow culture. But it’s also just as easy to grab a bite before the morning commute, like at Bagel Supreme, where the tan furnishings evoke an old school diner. Mostly, the dining scene in Rutherford tends to focus on cafes, pizza, baked goods, Italian American food and what’s called New American cuisine, which is seasonally inspired food. The melting pot influence of Manhattan is present, too: Greek, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican and even Persian restaurants enter the mix. Salons, clothing shops and retail destinations like pet supply stores are interspersed as well. Residents typically will go to Wallington for a plethora of grocery options, where Shop Rite, Grand Bazaar and Stop & Shop are all clustered together near Paterson Avenue.
Get to Manhattan via train, bus or car
Realtor Matthew De Fede of Realty Executives Elite Homes says Rutherford’s transportation amenities can’t be overlooked: “It has its own rail and bus service to New York City, getting you into the city in thirty minutes. You also have access to Route 3, Route 46, the Garden State Parkway, and Route 21. Overall, Rutherford is a great town if you’re a commuter.” Add in the walkability along Park Avenue, and it’s clear that residents have access to a wide range of options for getting around.
Photography Contributed By
Brendan Rogers
