Park Ridge
Small borough, tight community, real train access
Park Ridge has a small but real downtown stretch along Park Avenue with a few restaurants, a diner, and local shops. It is not Westwood, but it is more than most towns in the area offer. What Park Ridge does particularly well is community. Borough-wide events, an active recreation department, and a neighborhood feel that is genuine rather than curated.
- A small but functioning downtown, which is more than most comparable towns can say
- Tight-knit community with active civic participation
- Good train access is a real advantage over the no-train towns at similar prices
- Route 17 makes driving to work or other parts of the county straightforward
Getting to the city
Transit
NJ Transit Pascack Valley Line, Park Ridge station. Station parking lot available.
Time to Midtown
Train to Hoboken Terminal takes roughly 50 to 55 minutes, then PATH to 33rd Street is about 15 minutes more. Total to Midtown is around 60 to 70 minutes. Driving to the GWB via Route 17 is approximately 40 to 55 minutes without traffic.
One thing to know
Park Ridge sits near the northern end of the Pascack Valley Line. The schedule is the same limitation as the rest of the line: limited evenings and weekends. Check the timetable at njtransit.com.
What you will find
Mostly ranches, split-levels, and colonials from the 1950s through 1970s. Modest lot sizes. Some newer infill construction exists but it is not the dominant type. Garages are common.
Single-family homes, mostly mid-century construction. Similar pricing to Hillsdale. A competitive market with limited inventory.
A look at Park Ridge
Park Ridge School District
Park Ridge operates a full K-12 district with its own junior/senior high school. Academic reputation is solid with high graduation and college attendance rates. Small class sizes are a frequently cited benefit. Families who want a self-contained district without shared arrangements often land here.
- East Brook Elementary School K-6
- West Ridge Elementary School K-6
- Park Ridge Jr./Sr. High School 7-12
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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Park Ridge is one of the smaller boroughs in the area, which keeps the small-town feel intact.
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The train station has a decent parking situation compared to many NJ Transit stops. That matters in the morning.
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People who grew up in Park Ridge often come back to raise their own children here. That is a meaningful signal about the community.
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Route 17 access is a practical advantage for those who commute by car or travel frequently.
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The school district is small. If your child has specialized needs, verify that the district has the programs to support them.
What residents say
Park Ridge is central to everything! The surrounding towns have plenty of restaurants, but we are also within 15 minutes of Nanuet, Palisades, Paramus, Ramsey, etc for more shopping and restaurant options!
We moved to Park Ridge 2 years ago and are so happy here.
I love Park Ridge, has a cute little main street and great schools. If you are looking, there are lots of great houses available.