
Niche just announced its Best Places to Live in America for 2023, and five NJ towns made it into the top 100! While Chesterbrook, a suburb of Philly, took the top spot on the list (as it has done for the past four consecutive years), New Jersey was well-represented in the rankings.
This is Niche’s ninth consecutive ranking of the best places to live. The site ranked 228 cities and 17,932 towns and neighborhoods to come up with its rankings. Niche considered factors such as affordability, diversity, quality of public schools, the housing market and crime, among others. The Niche team used data from the Census Bureau, the FBI, the CDC and other sources, plus reviews from residents.
Here are the New Jersey towns that made the list, along with their national rankings:
14. Princeton Junction
34. Princeton
47. Ho-Ho-Kus
69. Ridgewood
74. River Edge
Located in Mercer County, Princeton Junction, the highest-ranked NJ town on the list, received a grade of A+ from Niche. With a nice suburban feel, the landscape is dotted with parks and families flock here for the highly-rated schools.
“Moved here from Manhattan and been living here for 21 years, and love it,” wrote a current resident on Niche. “Great for raising a family, social and cultural diversity, convenience, safe, great schools, lots of outdoor spaces in and around town. Great sense of community, pride and ownership in town. Eclectic food scene. Access to Princeton University, NYC and Philadelphia.”
Princeton also ranked high on the list and was recognized for its quality schools, its young professionals and a plethora of restaurants, coffee shops and parks. You could spend the whole day just strolling around Palmer Square and the University. Locals know to visit Jammin’ Crepes in the lobby of the public library.
Ho-Ho-Kus, in Bergen County, offers residents a suburban feel, a quaint downtown and fairly easy access to New York City. The Hermitage, a Gothic Revival house museum here, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ridgewood, also in Bergen County, is a prime dining and shopping destination with architecturally beautiful homes. People from all over Bergen County come to Ridgewood to eat at one of its many restaurants in and around East Ridgewood Avenue or to grab dessert or coffee at one of its many local shops.
River Edge in Bergen County is celebrated for its great suburban feel and good schools. It’s a walkable town that has a small-town feel while also being a quick commute to Manhattan.
Here are the other 5 towns that rounded out the top 10 towns in NJ, according to Niche’s national list: Closter, Berkeley Heights, Harrington Park, Mountain Lakes and Upper Montclair.
On Niche’s list of the Best Cities to Live in America, Jersey City ranked 78th and was applauded for its diversity, outdoor activities and commutability to work.
Click here to see the full list of 2023’s Best Places to Live in America.
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