Historic village center just east of Harriman State Park
Suffern is a small village that’s anchored the crux of New York’s Rockland County and New Jersey’s Orange County for over a century. Its historic downtown, a preserved slice of early 20th-century architectural styles and walkable planning, is one of the few urban cores passers-through might encounter when heading west; outside of village limits, things take a more rural turn. “Suffern is right up against Harriman State Park. We get bears, foxes, deer – all kinds of wildlife coming from there,” says Naomi Streicher, a broker with Q Home Sales who specializes in Rockland County. From this long-settled pocket of small-town life, Suffern’s residents are just as able to access extensive state park trail systems as they are the equally meandering NJ Transit and commuter highway routes leading closer to New York City.
Suffern is a historic village at the crossroads of New York’s Rockland County and New Jersey’s Orange County.
Suffern borders Harriman State Park, where wildlife like bears, foxes, and deer often roam into the village.
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Prewar homes and newer co-ops in Suffern
Blocks of small, simple single-family homes built in the prewar era and earlier are common throughout Suffern. Midcentury Cape Cods and colonials dominate other developments, with lot sizes and square footage tending to increase in suburban developments laid out in the late 1960s through 1970s. Townhouse and co-op complexes are throughout the village, especially clustered near commuter highways and transit hubs. Suffern’s median single-family home price is about $830,000, more than twice the national median.
Prewar and Colonial Revival homes are common throughout Suffern, showcasing timeless architectural charm.
Midcentury Cape Cods are common in Suffern, with larger lots in suburban developments from the 1960s and 1970s.
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Biliteracy at A-rated Suffern High
Suffern Central School District earns an A from Niche. A-rated Suffern High School is known for offering students varied academic programs for varied interests, from Advanced Placement Courses to world language programs through which they can earn the New York State Seal of Biliteracy.
Suffern Central School District proudly holds an A rating from Niche for its strong academic programs.
A-rated Suffern High School offers diverse academic programs, including AP courses and world language studies.
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Local healthcare industry and taking NJ Transit to NYC
Health care is a major industry for Rockland County, including through Suffern’s own Good Samaritan Hospital. Biotech and pharmaceutical industries also have a presence in the county, and Regeneron announced its acquisition and expansion plans for a research and development center in Suffern in 2024. The village also serves as a bedroom community across state lines. “Suffern is in a really good location – it's right on the 87, and if you want to go to New Jersey, it’s there,” Streicher says. By way of the New York State Thruway and Palisades Interstate Parkway, commuters have a roughly 40-mile drive to Manhattan. Suffern’s station starts riders toward Secaucus Junction on NJ Transit trains, where they can then access the MTA’s lines to get around New York City. NJ Transit buses also serve the village. Westchester County Airport is about 30 miles away.
Health care is a key industry in Suffern, home to Good Samaritan Hospital serving Rockland County.
Suffern Station connects commuters to NJ Transit, providing easy access to Secaucus Junction and New York City.
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State parks just outside of Suffern and local youth league fields
Harriman State Park is Suffern’s enormous northwestern neighbor, boasting plenty of streams and lake beaches to enjoy alongside hundreds of miles of hiking trails. The Bear Mountain Trailhead can start hikers off through forested hills just outside the village. While overshadowed by such an expansive recreation area, the village’s parks offer plenty of space for more curated outdoor activities. Suffern’s Little League practices and plays on fields at many community parks, and anglers compete during the village’s annual fishing derby at Foxwood Pond.
Harriman State Park, near Suffern, offers scenic trails, lake beaches, and abundant wildlife for outdoor enthusiasts.
Suffern’s Little League brings the community together with games and practices at local parks.
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Shopping and dining on Lafayette Avenue
The downtown commercial strip along Suffern’s Lafayette Avenue is a holdover from an earlier time. Modern banks advertise their services from stately historic structures, and specialty businesses and restaurants decorate the storefronts along long, sidewalk- and lamp post-lined blocks. Strip malls and bigger box names settle off busier roadways like state Route 59. Churches of several denominations hold services throughout the village, as does a masjid and a couple of nearby synagogues.
The Comesky Block in Suffern’s downtown commercial district on Lafayette Avenue remains a remnant of an earlier era.
Expect to discover unique treasures at Wow! That's Unusual! in Suffern, NY.
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Parades and a preserved movie palace on Lafayette Avenue
Suffern’s slate of community events matches its classic downtown. Wintertime holiday parades and competitive window painting around Halloween bring seasonal cheer to Lafayette Avenue each year. Some of the village’s historic hubs are modern entertainment spaces, including the tiny, local history-focused Railroad Museum and the movie theater housed in the prewar Lafayette Theatre.
Enjoy live music while strolling through the Suffern Street Fair and exploring all it has to offer.
The historic Lafayette Theatre in Suffern offers a classic movie experience in a beautifully preserved setting.
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Crime data, weather patterns and flood risk in Suffern
According to data reported by the Suffern Village Police Department to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, violent crime increased by 60% and property crime increased by 2.5% between 2022 and 2023.
Suffern experiences all four seasons, including hot summers and below-freezing winters.
The Mahwah and Ramapo Rivers carve flood zones through the village. Buyers can consult maps to ascertain risk and any need for flood insurance.
Anthony is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, Inside Sales Agent, and "Tech Guy" for The Anthony G Team at Keller Williams Valley Realty. He is normally the 1st point of contact here on the team. Sometimes that means speaking with homeowners about their properties & motivations and setting up a time for us to meet at their homes. Other times it means chatting/texting with a curious buyer who is seeing a home they like while they are on a break at work or at home. When he is not doing that, he is making sure that The Anthony G Team's listings are being marketed properly on the internet, Google, different real estate websites & social media- like Facebook, Instagram & YouTube. Either way, his job is to lend an ear, while providing the information that is asked for. Calling & speaking with The Anthony G Team is almost always a good time! He does not do that high-pressure sales stuff. He'd love to talk to you.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
