Hillsdale
Quiet, family-focused, and genuinely residential
Hillsdale is what most people picture when they imagine moving to the suburbs. Quiet streets, good schools, kids on bikes, neighbors who wave. It does not have a real downtown to speak of, but it has the Pascack Valley Line and a community feel that is genuinely hard to manufacture. People who move here tend to stay.
- Deeply residential, which is exactly what most families moving here are looking for
- Strong sense of community, especially among families with school-age children
- Calmer and less commercial than Westwood
- Good train access for NYC commuters
Getting to the city
Transit
NJ Transit Pascack Valley Line, Hillsdale station. Street parking and a small lot near the station.
Time to Midtown
Train to Hoboken Terminal is roughly 47 to 53 minutes, then PATH to 33rd Street adds about 15 minutes. Total to Midtown is around 60 to 70 minutes. Driving to the GWB is 30 to 45 minutes without traffic.
One thing to know
The Pascack Valley Line schedule is limited, especially in the evenings and on weekends. Confirm the specific train times work for your routine before committing to this commute.
What you will find
Mostly ranches, capes, and colonials from the 1950s through 1970s. Lot sizes are modest but not cramped. Homes are well-maintained. You will not find many teardowns or major new construction projects here.
Mostly single-family homes built mid-century. Prices have risen but remain more accessible than the northernmost towns.
A look at Hillsdale
Hillsdale Public Schools (K-8) + Pascack Valley Regional (9-12)
Hillsdale runs its own K-8 district with two elementary schools and a middle school, then sends students to Pascack Valley High School in Hillsdale for grades 9-12, shared with River Vale through the Pascack Valley Regional High School District. PVHS is consistently ranked among the top public high schools in New Jersey.
- Ann Blanche Smith School K-5
- Meadowbrook School PK-5
- George G. White School 6-8
- Pascack Valley High School 9-12 (shared with River Vale)
Nearby private options: St. John's Academy (Hillsdale, PreK-8), Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township, all-girls 9-12), Eastern Christian Schools (PK-12), Academy of the Holy Angels (Demarest, all-girls), Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, all-boys).
What people wish they knew
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If you want walkable amenities, you will need to drive to Westwood or Emerson. Hillsdale proper has very little retail.
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The school district is small, which some families love and others find limiting in terms of elective and program variety.
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The train schedule is the same constraint here as everywhere on the Pascack Valley Line. Check the actual timetable.
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Hillsdale has an active little league, recreational sports programs, and year-round community events. It rewards people who plug in.
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Home prices have appreciated significantly since 2020. Expect competition for well-priced listings.
What residents say
Great schools, great town.
The schools are top. Especially valley for high school.
Welcome to town ... you will love it!
We are beyond happy -- I can't even explain it. The town is amazing. From sports to the people, everything. We were welcomed by neighbors, the families in sports, the school, everywhere. My husband commutes to the city and chooses to drive to a park and ride but the train is right in the center of town and it runs very frequent (I live near it).